Year End Review

Here we are at that cusp - getting ready to go from the old year to the new year - and all the crazy thoughts that seems to bring.

I thought I'd take a look at how 2012 has been for Sew Darn Simple.

I organized (and reorganized) my sewing space throughout the year.  Here we are and it's still a mess.

I wrote my first patterns and sold them both in my etsy shop and I also opened a Craftsy pattern shop.

I did two patterns in 2012 - the zipper wallet and the patchwork purse.  Hopefully I will do at least two in 2013 - although I'm not sure what they will be yet.

I spent a lot of time perfecting a zip around case for the kindle fire - and I did sell a few.  The issue I have with making cases for these items is that each one is a different size and every new one that comes out is different which means that the cases aren't always interchangeable.  So I'm not sure if I will continue down this path in 2013.  With a 'regular' job, I don't feel like I have time to commit to making a huge number of custom items.

Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom has become one of my great friends - she sent me a great bundle of fabrics from her Girls World Vibe line - I in turn made some items that I did a giveaway for.  I had the opportunity to meet her at the Country Living Fair in Columbus this fall - what a great weekend that was!

I did several craft shows this year - with varied success - we had such crazy weather this year - and that always plays into the show turnout.

As I reach the end of this year, I'm trying to determine where I want to take this business in 2013 - I have some craft show applications that I need to complete in January - so I need to get some new photos and potentially some new products in the works.

Stay tuned to see where 2013 takes us!

Happy Sewing,
Susan

New Year

So here we are on the first day of a new year, and like many others I like to spend some time planning things I want to get done this year.

If you follow me on twitter then you know for the last week or so, I've been talking about doing some cleanup and organization of my sewing room. I have a decent sized space, but with the lack of cohesive storage, I feel like it's out of control more often than not. So one thing that I'm going to work on, and plan to get completed in January, is to replace some of this mismatched and disorganized storage and replace it with something that is more functional and allows me better organization.

While I'm working on that, I'm going to collect some of the many things in the room that I know I'm never going to use, and either sell it or give it away.

In January I also have to work on craft show applications and pictures, so I'll be working on that pretty quickly, as the first one is due January 15!

Today already, I've created my new annual spreadsheets, updated my website with the show information that I already know about, changed all my calendars and been to the New Year's Day sale at Quilt Trends (one of our local quilt shops). Oh wait, that doesn't have anything to do with being organized!

On a personal note, I'm going to work harder at getting just a little exercise most days (I already did the Wii Fit for 1/2 hour today), and I want to read more books.

Happy New Year!

Susan

Trying to grow my business

Today I am working on updating my Etsy avatar and banner. I'm trying to start to grow the business. I'm just not sure exactly where to start! I also created the 'online' ad size graphic, so I will look for ways to use that.

I need to get some better photos - I guess I'll breakdown and get or make a lightbox, so that I can get some consistent look to my photos. I also am looking at updating my regular website to start to match it up to the 'look' I am going for.

I think since my name contains the word 'simple' that's how I'm going to keep it - simple. Lots of the ads are rally slick, but I want mine to be simple.

My Etsy sales so far this month (October) have been lackluster. I really haven't had time to promote on Etsy, or anywhere else for that matter. So, I'm not sure I'll end up with an increase in month-to-month from September, unless I really get with it the next two weeks.

I have four craft show / events left this year - I'm hopeful that I will do ok at them. And I'm already starting to evaluate what I want to do in 2009.

It must be time to write a real business plan.