Well, not literally kicking, but moving and there is some dancing involved. 🙂
Isn’t he cute?
My first entry in my 2024 journal was, “I wonder what this year will bring?”. Hummm, kind of a scary thought in a way. Last year did not have a good start at all, but this year has been really good. Crazy how that happens.
I know it has been a hot minute since I checked in with you all and am truly trying to get a set schedule (or close to a set schedule) on when I do what. That includes, when I write a post on here……… 🙂
But……..I am learning that putting together a business is a busy and not always a consistent process. I am also giving myself grace in the process, as my mind keeps rattling off ideas on what I should be doing next, thus the lack of consistency.
A little update since we chatted last:
In January, I joined a group of women that are all entrepreneurs and in different stages of their businesses. There are women running on-line, brick and mortar, life-coaches, speakers, tax accountants, and home businesses. I am learning so much and also realizing how much more there is to learn! In life you really never stop learning, and that is good, or life would be a boring pot of mush!
Practically Posh’s owner is hosting a pop-up in her store, so I signed up to do a pop-up, with other vendors in her shop. This being my first pop-up there were many items I needed (like a table) and all the essential necessities to have a pretty and functional booth. A list was made and I started gathering the need items from around my house and out and about. I think my booth will be pretty and we will see if the functional happens. 🙂 At the end of the day, my hope is that I will have learned some things about running a pop-up and had fun. Well, and sold some items. That would be very nice indeed!
That being said, back in the day, many years ago, I had a booth at a couple of festivals, we took cash or checks as payment. Fast forward to current times and all the changes. Things are always changing right?
The other night when I was about to fall asleep, all “snug as a bug in a rug”, my brain said, “Yo, Laurie, people pay with credit cards a lot now.” I was no longer, “as snug as a bug in a rug”, as a matter of fact, I sat up and started Googling “what do people use to take credit cards at pop-ups?”
I put that nocturnal question, to the group of entrepreneurs, and had several responses. Thank you!
The overall answer was Square and one of the sweet ladies, that was having a pop-up soon, offered to show me the ropes. I am now a proud owner of a Square, that does not link to my particular tablet. Nice….. But it does link to my phone, which is a start. One step closer. So if you live in the area, La Crosse, WI, I would love to see you March 2nd. 🙂
Oh and painting, there always has to be painting!
Artwork continues to be created and I love the time I spend in my art room. Late last fall, just for the fun of it, I painted a fall and winter Gnome, to which my sister said, “I would buy one of those.” So then I started down a rabbit hole to find a local printer. Printer was found and I am now the proud owner of not only prints to sell of the fall and winter Gnomes but also now a spring one and soon a summer fellow will be painted. I have also been working on larger canvas pieces and letting the brush strokes take me on a colorful journey.
Meet Helga
I have also been “living” in Canva, designing stationary cards from my eco-prints on paper. This was an idea from another person that bought a couple of my eco-printed scarves. So my Etsy shop is filling up and I have fun things to bring to my pop-up. https://thecreativenaiad.etsy.com
One of many prints on paper being made into cards
PS. Loving the ideas, keep them coming. 🙂
IT shenanigan’s…..
Keep in mind, for the next item on the agenda, that for the last 30 years, I was a nurse. Most of those years were spent paper charting, not the new computer charting, that, to be honest, stinks. But that is another story, for another time.
So all the IT shenanigan’s have been one of the biggest hurdles so far (thank goodness for my boys and YouTube). Well, that and taxes (thank goodness for my very smart accountant sister). So along with learning all things computer, I decided to throw in figuring out how to make Reels vs Live on Facebook and Instagram. My goal is to connect and bring you in for a creative journey while nurturing your soul for a moment or two.
If you go to my Instagram or Facebook, there are now some rather entertaining, have to laugh at yourself Lives, on both platforms. Oh, and in one, my large black lab decided to start drinking from his water bowl VERY loudly! I was focusing so hard I didn’t realize it until later when I watched the Live. Oh well, that is what makes it real and fun.
Bentley eating his birthday ice cream treat
My goal is to have a Live each Friday and am calling it Coffee, Connect, Create. This is a perfect way for an introvert to connect from the comfort of her art room, or where ever I may be. I hope you can join me. At this time my goal is to be live at 9 am each Friday, with coffee in hand. https://www.facebook.com/thecreativenaiad/
One more thing…
The last thing I need to get off my chest is, where is all the snow???? Seriously, we have had one good snow storm and it has all melted. This is putting a dent in the snow shoeing and cross country skiing this winter. I am not going to complain about some of the beautiful weather and sunshine we are having, but this is down right weird!
My tulips are poking their noses out and it is only Valentines day, Happy Valentines Day! I had a chat with my tulips and the lilac bushes that are starting to bud! I let them know Mother Nature is pulling a joke and they need to wait because winter is not over!
I would love to know how your year has started. I really hope it is going well but we are all in different places so honor your heart and soul as you navigate this thing called life.
Over and above all else – be kind to yourself!