It's a conspiracy, I swear!

So, since I posted that I was pulling back some, removing listings and laying low, I've gotten 6 sales.

I swear, when I say that I want to focus on housework or have other plans, someone puts it out that I need to be hit with orders. Haha! Don't get me wrong, I love that I'm still getting orders and that I'm out there and what not, but it's just funny. Who knows, maybe after Fathers Day it will cool out some. Then we'll be getting ready for Christmas! EEK!

Still unsure as to how much I'll have in the shop available for Christmas. Probably only a few that are popular so that I don't get overwhelmed with the demands for supplies.

Right now, I'm sitting at about 45 guitar pick blanks and 20 or so cuff blanks (in various metals), so that's not bad since I have only picks and cuffs in the shop that are the more popular.

I've also decided to keep the miscarriage/pregnancy loss items in there for my transition to becoming more into that niche. I imagine this will be an amazing and productive Christmas. Now all I can hope for is patience and to be moved and settled in before October!

Today is Memorial Day, I want to thank any service members (past or present) and their spouses. Our country would not be what it is today without those families.



This photo was taken out at Mount Hope Cemetery yesterday. I love it.

Backward and forward

I've decided that this summer would be a good time to take a healthy step forward, by going backward. Last night, I reduced the shop from 99 items down to 33. I'm keeping the cuffs and picks out for now.

Either I'll be stopping the shop completely for the summer, likely for quite some time, or continue on a much smaller scale, keeping it at a hobby. The second is what will probably happen since I very much love doing this and being an Etsy seller.

After the move, I can pick things back up, if it's a good decision for the family. Right now, my stepping back is. I need to focus more on Noah and my husband and less on the internet. I need to go back to what I wanted to be as a stay at home mom. One who cooks, cleans and educates our little man.

I'll probably keep the cuffs, picks, maybe some rings and a few other select items in the shop for a bit. I really want to work hard on miscarriage and pregnancy loss items. I have some new supplies coming in, I should at least use them once before packing things up ;-)

In the end, I believe I'll end up with a miscarriage/pregnancy loss and military shop. Those are what I'm passionate about. Support. When it all comes down to it, that's what everyone needs. Support

Fathers Day Equals Soreness

I must say, I haven't been this sore in a while. First, my husbands commissioning ceremony was on a very hilly campus we had to walk across, twice, in heels, pushing a stroller. Ow. Second, in the last five days, I've made up 41 guitar picks, one dog tag, 20 charms, and several tiny tags. I never expected Fathers Day to be this busy!

Because of the demand for the guitar picks, there are now three separate listings.

One for the regular pick


One for the key chain


One for the necklace


I also made up two new items, one is a golf ball marker and the other is a personalized baby spoon.

There's always a story

The reason I love what I do, why I do what I do and why I'll continue to do it, the stories. The reasons behind each piece, custom or not, they're there.

The story may be mine that I'm sharing through what I've pre-made or it may be your own through something custom. There will never be a non-meaningful story. Last night, I was asked to create a very special ring. It's a family ring with a lost little one nestled in between an older and younger brother.





I also can't seem to keep the guitar picks in long enough! Haha, good thing 48 blanks are on their way. Looks like I'll need to get some more soon since 13 are already taken for one order and 5 more are taken for individual orders.

Working on Golf Ball Markers soon!

To Do List Friday?

I meant to put this up yesterday, but I didn't get to it on my To Do list, haha.

On the orders list we have:

20 discs
13 guitar picks
1 dog tag
4 tiny tags
Washers

This weekend will, hopefully, be a nice and relaxing one where I can get my work done and the hubby can watch Noah. Monday, I will officially be an officers wife! Yes, he commissions on Monday. I can't believe it!!

Anywho, I'm still trying to think of more Fathers Day ideas, so let me know what you've got in your mind and I"ll try to put it on metal!

Also, I got some feedback saying the cuff was a bit too light for a guy to comfortably wear, so, I dyed it! I think it looks like a tree from the way the dye dried.




I'm going to experiment with using some other plates on the cuffs as well to see what kind of cool things I can come up with.

Have an awesome weekend!

Anything look different?

My wonderful blog designer pulled off another fantastic set-up. I love it. It's modern, feminine and wide. Becca with Jumping Jax Designs does everything you can think of when it comes to designs. She does mommy/business cards, post cards, announcements, blog designs and Etsy set-ups. She's absolutely amazing!

I'm also working on some new designs (of course, I know) and they're all for Fathers Day!

So far, I have aluminum guitar picks and leather cuffs.




I'm also putting up some darker cuffs that I'm hand coloring. The first one I did, I'm in love with, it looks like a tree!

Fun Cuff!

Got a refill order from the first wholesale (woohoo!) and they got sent out this morning.







Working on Fathers Day gifts now! We've got some guitar picks, additional key chains and large cuffs coming! I'm also hoping to dabble in some leather and metal mixtures to see what awesome things we can come up with.