Another Etsy update - I listed a pair of earrings earlier today. These were made withh a pair of buttons from my grandmother's button stash that I inherited when she died. I actually made a pair a few weeks ago for myself, then decided to use the other two for a pair to sell. No, they haven't sold yet, but they have had 8 views today. Maybe Friday is a good to to post, maybe something in one of my keywords keeps it coming up, maybe-----oh who knows?? At least they are being viewed.
If I could just sell something.
I've got several others things ready to list; maybe I need to put up some of my crochet scarves since it is getting cooler. I need to check on prices for similar items and see what happens. I also started another knitted wash cloth last night. If it turns our well, I may list it; if not, I can use it as a gift.
Now, on moving forward. Yesterday I spent 5 1/2 hours volunteering in the costume shop of Opera Memphis. I absolutely, positively LOVED it!! I was mainly hemming skirts and dresses for next week's production of "Porgy and Bess", but I felt like I was learning tips and tricks by the minute. Just being in that atmosphere was exhilerating! Time went by fast - too fast!! The costume designer for this production was from Austin, TX. Turns out she had sold her collection of costumes to the Opera, then they brought her in for the show. We had a wonderful chat about our kids and Project Runway while working. Then another woman came in about noon; I think she is hired for jobs by the Opera. Anyway, she kept complementing me on being willing and able to sew for the Opera, and as I was leaving, she told me that she also jobs for the Orpheum-----and next August/September, the Lion King is coming and they need sewers AND dressers for the run. She said they pay, and rather well. Oh man, am I ever interested in doing something like that. She said that as long as she has been doing this work (she's in her early 60's), she ALWAYS learns something new. So, I've got nearly a year to really hone my skills to I can work with that. It also gives me a goal for when (at the latest) to quit my job. I really want to quit sooner, but if I could work something out with the Lion King to step into - then it would just be a matter of lining up work for the rest of my life! Of course, there is a big problem and that is being able to take care of Jonathan. I wouldn't see much of him during that time - working 6-7 days a week, much of it at night. I could hire a sitter to pick him up and get his homework done, etc. but I'd miss seeing him for much of that time. Anyway, it give me a lot to think about.
At the very least, I've got something to put on my resume - and a contact name in Austin, Texas.
I also heard back from POTS - the stitcher position is filled, but they are looking for a job out stitcher. I don't know if it would fit my schedule, but I need to reply that I would be interested.
My last hope for making a change involved being able to work as Talbots shipper. In talking with K. today, I don't think my hours would work with theirs. She wants someone there on Mondays and Thursdays from 1-5 to start working on it as soon as it arrives. Makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, I have to pick Jonathan up at 3:00, so it wouldn't work out. When I had talked to her this summer, I was thinking that he would be picked up by the daycare, and I just needed to be there by 6:00 when they closed. Of course, I could do shipment on other days and pick up hours on the floor, but when they need people is at night - and that is hard for me. Anyway, I do have some information to think about and see if I can make if work.
What I need to really focus on is what can I do now, where I am today, to get me closer to my goals. I may not be able to job out for POTS or volunteer more at the Opera, so what can I do?? Well, I can continue making and listing things on Etsy. I can continue remaking garmets for myself (or to sell) to develop my sewing skills. I can continue to look for opportunities to get my name and talents out there.
Speaking of which, I need to finish T.'s bracelet and get it to her - and tell her to give out my name if anyone else needs something similar done.
06 October 2006
29 September 2006
Someone is looking...
I've checked Etsy, and people have actually looked at my bracelet!! YEA!!! Now---to get someone to buy it.
Tomorrow I'm going to list the chandelier earrings, and maybe something else. This weekend I've got to take photos of everything ready to list, so every day or two, I can easily post them.
Otherwise, I'm going into midtown tomorrow to visit the zoo (for my son) and the Brooks Museum (for me). We are also going to find someplace there for lunch, then I'm going to hit a bead store or two and find the clasp I need to fix a bracelet for a friend. I'm only going to charge her for the parts, but encourage her to refer people to me for repairs. Which reminds me - I need to update my business cards and print them off so they are ready to hand out.
I've about taken the denim skirt apart (got most of it completed during Project Runway on Wednesday), so hopefullly I can begin putting it back together this weekend. Not only was it too large, but it was much too long - almost to my ankles. I found a picture in Lucky magazine of a knee lenth denim skirt, and decided to shorten this one and fit it properly to have the same look this fall.
Tuesday evening I sat outside and replaced some of the clasps on bracelets. While out there, I began looking through my bead stash. Came across a chain that I had removed from a 1980's pin a couple of years ago. I was never sure what to do with it, but it seemed like a good thing to keep (of course, I think that about everything!). It was alternating gold links and "pearls". When I looked at it then, I suddenly went "dangle earrings"! So, I divided the chain into 4 equal lengths, added jump rings in the middle, and attached them to french hooks. Voila - earrings. I haven't decided if I'm going to sell them or wear them. I don't wear a lot of gold tone jewelry, so I may list them on Etsy and see if they sell. If not - or if I need them - I'll remove them and use them myself. Ah, the joys of being the boss!!
Tomorrow I'm going to list the chandelier earrings, and maybe something else. This weekend I've got to take photos of everything ready to list, so every day or two, I can easily post them.
Otherwise, I'm going into midtown tomorrow to visit the zoo (for my son) and the Brooks Museum (for me). We are also going to find someplace there for lunch, then I'm going to hit a bead store or two and find the clasp I need to fix a bracelet for a friend. I'm only going to charge her for the parts, but encourage her to refer people to me for repairs. Which reminds me - I need to update my business cards and print them off so they are ready to hand out.
I've about taken the denim skirt apart (got most of it completed during Project Runway on Wednesday), so hopefullly I can begin putting it back together this weekend. Not only was it too large, but it was much too long - almost to my ankles. I found a picture in Lucky magazine of a knee lenth denim skirt, and decided to shorten this one and fit it properly to have the same look this fall.
Tuesday evening I sat outside and replaced some of the clasps on bracelets. While out there, I began looking through my bead stash. Came across a chain that I had removed from a 1980's pin a couple of years ago. I was never sure what to do with it, but it seemed like a good thing to keep (of course, I think that about everything!). It was alternating gold links and "pearls". When I looked at it then, I suddenly went "dangle earrings"! So, I divided the chain into 4 equal lengths, added jump rings in the middle, and attached them to french hooks. Voila - earrings. I haven't decided if I'm going to sell them or wear them. I don't wear a lot of gold tone jewelry, so I may list them on Etsy and see if they sell. If not - or if I need them - I'll remove them and use them myself. Ah, the joys of being the boss!!
28 September 2006
And so it begins...
Even though I signed up with Etsy in January, today was the day I finally got around to actually opening shop!! Redux Designs can be viewed online at http://reduxdesigns.etsy.com. Now, to see if I can sell anything.
What took so long to get going? Well, I got distracted for a while this year - not a bad thing in and of itself as I discovered some new interests, but it kept me from getting my business going. What finally motivated me to get it up was 1) a desire to quit my job and go to work for myself, partly so that I could 2) be available to my son more of the time. Granted my current job allows me to work from home most of the time, so that is a very good thing, but I've found that I simply don't have any desire or passion for the work. So while I see it as a blessing that I not only have a job, but one that allows me some freedom to take my son to school and pick him up, and develop my other interests on the side, I also realize that I need to see the job as a means to an end, not as a lifetime commitment.
So---the store is open!! I hope to make a bit of money to help me move to self-employment or freelance position while also learning what people want to buy - what styles, colors and materials they are interested in purchasing.
To the future of Redux Designs!!
What took so long to get going? Well, I got distracted for a while this year - not a bad thing in and of itself as I discovered some new interests, but it kept me from getting my business going. What finally motivated me to get it up was 1) a desire to quit my job and go to work for myself, partly so that I could 2) be available to my son more of the time. Granted my current job allows me to work from home most of the time, so that is a very good thing, but I've found that I simply don't have any desire or passion for the work. So while I see it as a blessing that I not only have a job, but one that allows me some freedom to take my son to school and pick him up, and develop my other interests on the side, I also realize that I need to see the job as a means to an end, not as a lifetime commitment.
So---the store is open!! I hope to make a bit of money to help me move to self-employment or freelance position while also learning what people want to buy - what styles, colors and materials they are interested in purchasing.
To the future of Redux Designs!!
30 July 2006
What is Redux?
redux - to remake
That in a nutshell is what Redux Design is about - remaking/redoing/reusing things. Especially clothes, jewelry and other accessories, although items for the home will also appear. Many items are one of a kind, simply because we had one item to start with, and even if it is remade into something different, there may not be enough to make more than one. But that is also what makes an item from Redux Design different - it is unique! You won't find anyone else wearing it. And while we will offer suggestions on how to wear items, we encourage you to let your own style shine through - and let us know the results!!
The blog is a way to keep everyone updated on what is new, where we'll be, and where to find us if we can't be there in person. If you know of a shop or show where you think Redux Designs would fit in and do well, please contact us!
Until the next time-----
Redux Designs
That in a nutshell is what Redux Design is about - remaking/redoing/reusing things. Especially clothes, jewelry and other accessories, although items for the home will also appear. Many items are one of a kind, simply because we had one item to start with, and even if it is remade into something different, there may not be enough to make more than one. But that is also what makes an item from Redux Design different - it is unique! You won't find anyone else wearing it. And while we will offer suggestions on how to wear items, we encourage you to let your own style shine through - and let us know the results!!
The blog is a way to keep everyone updated on what is new, where we'll be, and where to find us if we can't be there in person. If you know of a shop or show where you think Redux Designs would fit in and do well, please contact us!
Until the next time-----
Redux Designs
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