Summers End

Even though summer isn't officially over until September 21st, its sad to see the wonderful season come to an end. In Minnesota the season is very short, and before we know it the snow will be here. I am certain though we will have plenty of more warm days and then of course there is Indian Summer too.

I have been busy making jewelry for my next show next weekend. Trying to build a supply up so I don't have to be frantic before the next show comes along and I can make more beads. I torched for four hours today and it flew by so quick. would have torched longer but my back and neck started bothering me.

I have been trying to absorb as much information as I can from my wonderful Etsy eSMARts team and all the wonderful information that is posted on the site. I have been making up sets of ear rings from leftover beads and attached them to my business card. I now carry them in my purse in a small pouch, and have started handing them out to people who I see regularly as a means (I hope) of drumming up business for me and my website (etsy too).

We have some exciting things coming up in our team, Etsy is putting on a virtual Trunk Show. sounds like it might be fun, and a chance to sell live to customers. that part is a little scary to me, but help has been offered, so we shall see how it all will go.

Also trying to learn about semi precious stones, and have excellent guidance from Lois (realtychick), check her website out at http://www.abeadedaffair.etsy.com. she is such a great help to me, and is really guiding me in a number of ways. We placed and order together and I am so excited I can't wait till it comes. It's a surprise birthday present for someone, which I will tell about and show pictures after her birthday (she reads my blog).

So I think I have updated you on mostly everything, and I will try not to go so long between blog posts i promise.

Till next time~
Wilma
www.wilmas-whimseys.com
www.whimsey.etsy.com
www.wilmaswhimseys.blogspot.com/

Summer is Here!!

Again I have been a long time in posting, but I really have a good excuse....I have been down with pneumonia which is really wiping me out. Got to get stronger as its back to work on Monday.
During my down time I have not done any torching at all. The biggest reason being I couldn't stop coughing, and the second reason I do not have proper ventilation. Oh I have the fan, but I don't have the finances to get someone to hook it up for me. So it looks like I will be not torching any more unless I can find a kind sole who will put the system in for me. Then again if I can sell the kiln and the concentrator I have I might be able to make enough to have someone put it up.
So I am going to start a small journal of inspirational ideas so that if and when I get back to torching I will have lots to pull from.
I have been busy doing chainmalle and the viking knit and making earrings and bracelets with the smaller beads that I have laying around. I have also created two necklaces and two bracelets and 3 sets of ear rings so far. Guess I am lucky to have so many beads laying around so I can still keep myself busy,
I have some more shows lined up for the fall/winter season and hoping that they all go really well. I need to compile a list of what shows and when I am doing them so that I can make a file for those who want to know
Ah but before I can do that I have to update my financial spreadsheet once again! I had it all updated to 5/31/08, and instead of saving it, I clicked out of it....Duh what was I thinking? So that is on the agenda to get done this week as the formula for the MN state tax needs to be changed as of 7/1/08. We now have to collect more taxes. I don't add taxes onto my goods, its just as easy for me to pay them then try and figure it out and then set the monies aside. so at the end of the year I just plug the figure in and let it tell me how much I owe.
So that's all the news for this time.
Hope you all enjoy your summer

Wilma