4 posts tagged “business development”

Wow, it certainly has been a busy month. Thanks to everyone for all the orders, they really helped make this Holiday Season great in our house :)  I decided to expand my repertoire of skills as a New Years Resolution, of sorts. In 1996 I discovered a fascination with Wire Art. It took me until 2006 to find someone to teach me SOMETHING to get me started. I learned the very basics of wire wrapping from a wonderful Lady who never fails to surprise me with the many things she has to teach. However, since that first class, my day-job has kept me away and I've had to struggle on my own with books and magazines and good ol' fashioned test and trial. Needless to say, my progress, in my mind, has been slow indeed. A while back I discovered a website of Preston Reuther's wire sculpting. I made a commitment and decided to buy the Small Business Package listed on Preston's site and thus my Adventure really begins.

Just for a taste, here are my first two attempts at this. They are constructed out of resin cameos and brass wire, as they are practice pieces only. I expect to dismantle them in the near future, so I wanted to record them here:
                                       

                    This first piece took about 20 minutes.           The sculpture portion of this piece took me 8 Minutes!

I will clearly need more practice, but I counted this initial experiment a success and look forward to learning more and incorporating it into my work.

The following pages have been updated on the website:

Home Page- to reflect addition of Vox page and Ideas page
About Me- reworked based on new business objectives.
Ideas *NEW*-A place to get inspired!

Well, I went to the Small Business Workshop and have but one thing to say: WOW. Very eye opening. Not to mention, while I sat there, I was struck with inspiration like never before.  I have been content with using this as my "hobby" business. Getting paid for my work simply as means to pay for my habit, so-to-speak. Using the money to resupply and pay for classes to expand my knowledge base. While I sat in that class, it came to me...Why limit myself? Let's just say, hopefully, in 3-5 years, you will be able to come see me at a physical location, not just the website. We're not talking craft shows, but a one of a kind, store, gallery, design center. I really don't want to get into too much in this open forum, but big things are in the works for Wyshes4You and it all starts by me gathering the necessary knowledge to do it right, thus improving my chances for success.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am the type of person to actually accomplish a task like this, but I'm a planner. And if plans aren't based in logic and a strong knowledge base, chances are, I won't take that jump.  That's why I'm so excited about this class. I am confident that it will help me build a solid foundation under this so it WILL NOT fail.

I will continue with my current schedule of production to keep up with the site and craft shows, just look forward to a lot more from me, because I am on a roll!

Life has been indeed, very busy. I've spent most of my free time filling custom orders, which I sincerely hope to post pictures of very soon. All the while trying to balance a very heavy workload in my day job.

On top of all of that, I have also  made a piece-a-night goal for myself, in preparation for the Christmas Bazaar. (two nights=two pieces so far- Yay Me! ) I intend to take pictures of all of the name bracelets made in my last big order and the new pieces this weekend. They will be posted here when they are ready :)

The sale noted on the flier is only for existing stock items listed on Muse Refuge, though I suppose I could extend that sale on to Wyshes4You as well, if interest is expressed. The pieces that are being made now, will only make it to the site if they don't sell in the event. So, if you are local, make a point to come out to the Christmas Bazaar in November!

On Sat, October 13th, I will be attending a 2 hour small business seminar, which I am very excited about.

• Seminar Info: Small Business Workshop
  Presented by: Texas State University, San Marcos, Office of Continuing Education
  What: two, 2 hour sessions, one at 9:30 and the other at noon (I think)
  Where: Crown Plaza, 7050 Stemmons Freeway, 75247 Directions from Garland
  You must Pre-register  @ 972-445-6442 to secure seat and literature
  
  They told me to arrive 15 minutes early to secure seats.

Much Love,
~SK