I feel that I need to clear up some confusion about the future of birthday banners. Many of you have posted about how sad you are that I'm not making them any more, but this is not the case!!! They will be returning somewhere between late May and early June!
I wrote in my last blog post:
"I won't be offering very many birthday banners when I start selling again...."
&
"Why no Birthday banners? Simply put, 13. That's how many letters are in "happy birthday". It's a
whole-lot-o cutting & a whole-lot-o time. I'm hoping to bring them
back in the next few months though."
So, I completely understand all of the confusion about them. I got in over my head w and was ready to write them off completely!! You have to understand, some of the best selling birthday banners I have made over 80 times!!! So, birthday banners and I broke up for a little bit but now we are ready to get back together :).
Birthday banners are the back bone of Cardboard Sheek and I will offer them as long as I can.
What kind of Birthday banners will you be selling???
NEW designs!!! Colorful, versatile, and everything you have come to expect from Cardboard Sheek. I'm really excited about them and I think you will be too! I'm getting pictures taken of them this weekend so I should have something to show you all next week :)
Will you be selling any Caterpillar or Woody banners???
I will take a few orders of these designs from time to time and will post about it on the fan page. They have been fan favorites so I won't retire them completely :)
Are you going to take CUSTOM Birthday banners???
No. I won't be taking any custom banner work. But will occasionally auction off a "You name it, I'll make it" banner on my fan page!
So friends, any thoughts? As always, I'd love to hear your suggestions! Some of my best banners have come from your ideas!!!
I can't say thank you enough for all of your encouragement and sweet words. You all are the best!!!
-Sarah
Friday, April 20, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
These are my plans...
So many of you have been patiently waiting for me to reopen my shop that I HATE having to say this.... I won't be reopening my shop on March 26th....and I won't be offering very many birthday banners when I start selling again....and I won't be taking custom work...
Phew! I've said it! That was really hard for me to say... I know that this may be frustrating, especially for those of you who have been waiting but, here are my reasons and my plans for Cardboard Sheek's future.
Reasons:
For some time now I have felt frazzled. I have two little people who I love dearly. I want to be the best Momma I can be and I want to be "present" in both mind & body when they are awake. I also have a wonderful husband, who although is very self sufficient, I miss him and I want to spend more time with him. When I'm old and grey I want to have their affection rather than them wondering, " Mom/Wife, why did you trade time with us for cardboard??" Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but you get the idea. I know lots of Mom's who balance family and work well but I know my weaknesses and this is really important to me.
Why No Birthday banners??
Simply put, 13. That's how many letters are in "happy birthday". It's a whole-lot-o cutting & a whole-lot-o time. I'm hoping to bring them back in the next few months though.
Why No Custom Work??
I've made some great connections with you all through the custom work & believe me, I LOVE doing it!! But, it takes a lot of time messaging back and forth & with the little people underfoot I'm going to try and limit the time I have to be on the computer every day when they are awake.
What Will You Be Selling Then??
Lots of short and sweet banners! Mostly geared towards babies, maternity, & family photo shoots.
So, What's the Plan:
1. I'm working towards moving out of Etsy by this summer!!! I think of them as "parents" for Cardboard Sheek and now that we've become more established, it's time to move out on our own. I've really had a great experience using Etsy but I think my future plans for the biz will be better suited in my own place :)
2. Using the new web site, I'm going to do a few things:
- Once a month I'm going to take orders on a really special design. Something seasonal, embellished, and awesome!!!
- Once a week (day to be determined), I'm going to open up my shop and sell whatever I was able to make the week before. I'll gladly take requests from you all & will keep you informed on what's going to be available via Cardboard Sheek's Facebook fan page.
3. I will be responding to messages as I can. Most likely at night when my kiddos are asleep (because that's when I think best). So if you haven't heard from me, don't worry! There will probably be a message from me the next morning when you're drinking your coffee :).
What Does All This Mean??
-I will only be going to the post office once a week!
-I will be able to make MORE banners then I do now!!
-I will be offering more items ready to ship!!!
-I will be able to make NEW designs more often for you to enjoy!!!!
And lastly,
-I will get more time with my kiddos and hubby!!!!!
When Are You Coming Back??
I will probably start selling again on Etsy in the next few weeks. APRIL 16th is my new goal :)
So friends, and soon to be friends, any thoughts? I'd love to get your feedback! Thank you all so much for supporting me, cheering me on, & giving me lots and lots of reasons to LOVE what I do :)
Sarah
P.S. Don't forget to like Cardboard Sheek on Facebook if you want updates on my shop and sneak peaks at all of the goodies in the works!
Phew! I've said it! That was really hard for me to say... I know that this may be frustrating, especially for those of you who have been waiting but, here are my reasons and my plans for Cardboard Sheek's future.
Reasons:
For some time now I have felt frazzled. I have two little people who I love dearly. I want to be the best Momma I can be and I want to be "present" in both mind & body when they are awake. I also have a wonderful husband, who although is very self sufficient, I miss him and I want to spend more time with him. When I'm old and grey I want to have their affection rather than them wondering, " Mom/Wife, why did you trade time with us for cardboard??" Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but you get the idea. I know lots of Mom's who balance family and work well but I know my weaknesses and this is really important to me.
Why No Birthday banners??
Simply put, 13. That's how many letters are in "happy birthday". It's a whole-lot-o cutting & a whole-lot-o time. I'm hoping to bring them back in the next few months though.
Why No Custom Work??
I've made some great connections with you all through the custom work & believe me, I LOVE doing it!! But, it takes a lot of time messaging back and forth & with the little people underfoot I'm going to try and limit the time I have to be on the computer every day when they are awake.
What Will You Be Selling Then??
Lots of short and sweet banners! Mostly geared towards babies, maternity, & family photo shoots.
So, What's the Plan:
1. I'm working towards moving out of Etsy by this summer!!! I think of them as "parents" for Cardboard Sheek and now that we've become more established, it's time to move out on our own. I've really had a great experience using Etsy but I think my future plans for the biz will be better suited in my own place :)
2. Using the new web site, I'm going to do a few things:
- Once a month I'm going to take orders on a really special design. Something seasonal, embellished, and awesome!!!
- Once a week (day to be determined), I'm going to open up my shop and sell whatever I was able to make the week before. I'll gladly take requests from you all & will keep you informed on what's going to be available via Cardboard Sheek's Facebook fan page.
3. I will be responding to messages as I can. Most likely at night when my kiddos are asleep (because that's when I think best). So if you haven't heard from me, don't worry! There will probably be a message from me the next morning when you're drinking your coffee :).
What Does All This Mean??
-I will only be going to the post office once a week!
-I will be able to make MORE banners then I do now!!
-I will be offering more items ready to ship!!!
-I will be able to make NEW designs more often for you to enjoy!!!!
And lastly,
-I will get more time with my kiddos and hubby!!!!!
When Are You Coming Back??
I will probably start selling again on Etsy in the next few weeks. APRIL 16th is my new goal :)
So friends, and soon to be friends, any thoughts? I'd love to get your feedback! Thank you all so much for supporting me, cheering me on, & giving me lots and lots of reasons to LOVE what I do :)
Sarah
P.S. Don't forget to like Cardboard Sheek on Facebook if you want updates on my shop and sneak peaks at all of the goodies in the works!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
what's it like to be both mom & etsy seller?
I often find my myself wondering what life is like for my fellow shop owners. Do they do it all by themselves or do they have employees? How many of them actually have kids? Do they pay others to baby sit their kids so they can work on their product?
I get asked all of the time how I handle two little ones & the shop. So, I wrote down everything that I did yesterday amidst parenting, nursing, & getting orders out. I was amused at the things that came into my head & the mental notes that I made for myself. Granted, yesterday was a little crazier than most since I took some last minute orders which I normally wouldn't do (mainly to cover the cost of my upcoming root canal...) but you get the idea.
So here it goes.... prepare to be amused
7:15- Baby boy wakes up. I quickly get myself out of bed to quiet him before he wakes up sister.
7:15-8:00- Feed baby boy & spend time trying to make him laugh & smile. I look forward to this time every day because big girl tends to monopolize my time (read on... you'll see).
8:00- Big girl wakes up. Breakfast & juggling (cereal bowls, baby boy & doing dishes...)
9:00 or so-9:30 Baby boy naps. Big girl sits on my lap while I answer etsy messages & facebook.
9:30-10:30- Put movie on for Big girl while I gloss 3 happy birthday banners as fast as I can. I'm always working on a time crunch.
10:30-11:00- "Keep laundry going". That's how I write it on my to do lists because let's face it, I never get it completely done & I like to be realistic.
11:00- While doing laundry, big girl finds her bicycle in the garage and tries to ride it.
She looks cute. I text picture to the Grandma's.*Mental Note: put bike back before hubby comes home from work (an understandable pet peeve when trying to park the car)*
11:15- baby boy wakes up. I go inside to nurse him. Big girl brings bike in house. Bike is redirected to the garage. Bike falls over. Crying. I move to the car to nurse baby boy so I can watch big girl.
Big girl wants helmet off. I roll down car window and reach out to take off helmet. Big girl decides that the car is more fun than the bike. Big girl pops trunk. *Mental note: close trunk before I go anywhere*. Big girl finds loose change. Loose change redirected away from air conditioning vents. *Mental note: Wash big girl's feet before she goes back in the house* Baby boy stops eating & is more amused by his sister.
11:45- I make big girl work for her lunch. AKA putting away her toys, books, shoes, & anything else she has gotten out & strewn all over the floor. Yes, she is at that toddler stage. She get's everything out, but she plays with nothing. *Mental note fail: I forgot to wash her feet*
12:00- I make grilled cheese for lunch. Big girl finds shirt & puts it on by herself. "I DID IT!!!", "I DID IT!", "I DID IT!" (Kudos Dora the Explorer). She says it about a million times but still less than she when she did it yesterday for the first time.
1:00- Baby boy naps. Big girl and I grab our screw drivers to put the crib back together from toddler bed to crib. I struggle through no directions but in the end I figured out. I feel so accomplished! Find detailed instructions on bottom of crib board.... I feel stupid. Give Big girl a lesson in how to make her NEW big girl bed. She is uninterested.
I shower. I draw a family of "happy stars" on the shower glass (per the toddler's request). I COMMAND big girl to drop the dirty underwear she unearthed.
1:30-2:00-I put sesame street on for Big girl. Work as fast as I can to package up three banners before baby boy wakes up. Feed baby boy. Big girl says she needs to sit on the toilet. We are working on potty training so we all move into the bathroom. She gives up a few minutes in but I find a piece from the fisher price nativity behind the toilet. So, not a total loss.
2:30- Big girl takes a nap. I reward myself with my daily 2:30 diet coke. (It's either diet coke or chocolate. And since I really want to be back in my favorite jeans I only had a little bit of chocolate).
2:30-3:00- More baby talk with baby boy. He naps. I finish up the packaging & watch the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (which in my opinion is a little boring compared to Next Generation or Voyager....nerd alert!)
4:00- Nurse baby boy. Wake up big girl. Rush them into the car. Fresh with toddler rage, big girl throws her pretzel snack up in the air and it lands all over the garage floor. *Mental note: pick up pretzels sometime...* I still don't know why she did it but I'm pretty sure I didn't let her do something by herself that she wanted to "I do by myself". Too bad, no snack for you!
4:30- I hate going to the post office with both the kids. Big girl rides in stroller. I carry baby boy in his carseat. Boxes go underneath stroller & on top. I must look pretty pitiful because a stranger almost always rushes to open the door for me. While printing postage baby boy starts crying. I rock car seat with my foot while filling out addresses. Now, it's back to the car to load everyone back in.
5:00-6:00- Grocery store run. We live in a "bring your own bag" city. I forgot the bags. Big girl and I play a tickling game while I load um' up & I keep the cart moving so baby boy doesn't fuss.
6:00-7:00 Dinner time. Baby boy naps (again? really?).
7:00-7:30- Bath time. Our favorite.Because I get to sit & they are both happy.
I sing to my kiddos jolly renditions of "This old Man, he played one, he played nicknack..." & the song I sang to big girl when she was a colicy baby. It was strange to sing it without her howling in the back ground but current big girl laughing in the tub was far better of a chorus.
8:00- hubby home from work (YAY! I love that man)
8:15- Put the kids to bed.
8:30-10:30- I go to work! Cut out a bazillion circles for the hungry caterpillar banner which has been getting the most attention in the shop. Answer another set of messages on etsy.
10:30 Work on my "Chronological' Bible reading plan... I'm a little behind, but like the laundry I'm not giving up! And then comes bedtime, hallelujah!
Ok, so not every day is this hectic or disorganized but I love my life. I may spend every minute my kids are sleeping working on the shop but I love it & wouldn't change a thing.... except maybe for someone else to go pick the pretzels off the garage floor.
-Sarah
I get asked all of the time how I handle two little ones & the shop. So, I wrote down everything that I did yesterday amidst parenting, nursing, & getting orders out. I was amused at the things that came into my head & the mental notes that I made for myself. Granted, yesterday was a little crazier than most since I took some last minute orders which I normally wouldn't do (mainly to cover the cost of my upcoming root canal...) but you get the idea.
So here it goes.... prepare to be amused
7:15- Baby boy wakes up. I quickly get myself out of bed to quiet him before he wakes up sister.
7:15-8:00- Feed baby boy & spend time trying to make him laugh & smile. I look forward to this time every day because big girl tends to monopolize my time (read on... you'll see).
8:00- Big girl wakes up. Breakfast & juggling (cereal bowls, baby boy & doing dishes...)
9:00 or so-9:30 Baby boy naps. Big girl sits on my lap while I answer etsy messages & facebook.
9:30-10:30- Put movie on for Big girl while I gloss 3 happy birthday banners as fast as I can. I'm always working on a time crunch.
10:30-11:00- "Keep laundry going". That's how I write it on my to do lists because let's face it, I never get it completely done & I like to be realistic.
11:00- While doing laundry, big girl finds her bicycle in the garage and tries to ride it.
She looks cute. I text picture to the Grandma's.*Mental Note: put bike back before hubby comes home from work (an understandable pet peeve when trying to park the car)*
11:15- baby boy wakes up. I go inside to nurse him. Big girl brings bike in house. Bike is redirected to the garage. Bike falls over. Crying. I move to the car to nurse baby boy so I can watch big girl.
Big girl wants helmet off. I roll down car window and reach out to take off helmet. Big girl decides that the car is more fun than the bike. Big girl pops trunk. *Mental note: close trunk before I go anywhere*. Big girl finds loose change. Loose change redirected away from air conditioning vents. *Mental note: Wash big girl's feet before she goes back in the house* Baby boy stops eating & is more amused by his sister.
11:45- I make big girl work for her lunch. AKA putting away her toys, books, shoes, & anything else she has gotten out & strewn all over the floor. Yes, she is at that toddler stage. She get's everything out, but she plays with nothing. *Mental note fail: I forgot to wash her feet*
12:00- I make grilled cheese for lunch. Big girl finds shirt & puts it on by herself. "I DID IT!!!", "I DID IT!", "I DID IT!" (Kudos Dora the Explorer). She says it about a million times but still less than she when she did it yesterday for the first time.
1:00- Baby boy naps. Big girl and I grab our screw drivers to put the crib back together from toddler bed to crib. I struggle through no directions but in the end I figured out. I feel so accomplished! Find detailed instructions on bottom of crib board.... I feel stupid. Give Big girl a lesson in how to make her NEW big girl bed. She is uninterested.
I shower. I draw a family of "happy stars" on the shower glass (per the toddler's request). I COMMAND big girl to drop the dirty underwear she unearthed.
1:30-2:00-I put sesame street on for Big girl. Work as fast as I can to package up three banners before baby boy wakes up. Feed baby boy. Big girl says she needs to sit on the toilet. We are working on potty training so we all move into the bathroom. She gives up a few minutes in but I find a piece from the fisher price nativity behind the toilet. So, not a total loss.
2:30- Big girl takes a nap. I reward myself with my daily 2:30 diet coke. (It's either diet coke or chocolate. And since I really want to be back in my favorite jeans I only had a little bit of chocolate).
2:30-3:00- More baby talk with baby boy. He naps. I finish up the packaging & watch the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (which in my opinion is a little boring compared to Next Generation or Voyager....nerd alert!)
4:00- Nurse baby boy. Wake up big girl. Rush them into the car. Fresh with toddler rage, big girl throws her pretzel snack up in the air and it lands all over the garage floor. *Mental note: pick up pretzels sometime...* I still don't know why she did it but I'm pretty sure I didn't let her do something by herself that she wanted to "I do by myself". Too bad, no snack for you!
4:30- I hate going to the post office with both the kids. Big girl rides in stroller. I carry baby boy in his carseat. Boxes go underneath stroller & on top. I must look pretty pitiful because a stranger almost always rushes to open the door for me. While printing postage baby boy starts crying. I rock car seat with my foot while filling out addresses. Now, it's back to the car to load everyone back in.
5:00-6:00- Grocery store run. We live in a "bring your own bag" city. I forgot the bags. Big girl and I play a tickling game while I load um' up & I keep the cart moving so baby boy doesn't fuss.
6:00-7:00 Dinner time. Baby boy naps (again? really?).
7:00-7:30- Bath time. Our favorite.Because I get to sit & they are both happy.
I sing to my kiddos jolly renditions of "This old Man, he played one, he played nicknack..." & the song I sang to big girl when she was a colicy baby. It was strange to sing it without her howling in the back ground but current big girl laughing in the tub was far better of a chorus.
8:00- hubby home from work (YAY! I love that man)
8:15- Put the kids to bed.
8:30-10:30- I go to work! Cut out a bazillion circles for the hungry caterpillar banner which has been getting the most attention in the shop. Answer another set of messages on etsy.
10:30 Work on my "Chronological' Bible reading plan... I'm a little behind, but like the laundry I'm not giving up! And then comes bedtime, hallelujah!
Ok, so not every day is this hectic or disorganized but I love my life. I may spend every minute my kids are sleeping working on the shop but I love it & wouldn't change a thing.... except maybe for someone else to go pick the pretzels off the garage floor.
-Sarah
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