Howdy, y'all

A year ago, this April 1st, I launched my very own website shop, selling stationery I design, print, fold & cut from my home deep in the "heat" of Texas. It took quite a while and a lot of cussing to develop the site. Technology, especially computers, can make my blood boil. But once I figured stuff out I was so proud and excited by what I'd accomplished. In fact, I even had a FLEETING thought of going back to school for a web design degree. Cra-zy.

Once I got going, I loved every aspect of owning my own business -- from the design process to fulfilling orders to custom designing for someone to getting a message that a package arrived and my customers loved what they ordered.

But something still didn't seem right.

I decided I needed different (warning: business world word coming) "channels". So I signed up for my first craft fair, and with the help of my mom, had a blast meeting people and, yes, showing off my work. It was fun and I learned a lot. But part of what I learned was quantity. I had no clue before the fair how much to take. And in some cases, like 2012 calendars, I took WAY too many. Considering I had a bunch of 2012 calendars leftover in December of 2011, I had to figure out something to do with them. Enter: Etsy.

I knew about Etsy prior to starting my own site and chose not to go that route in April of 2011. I am really glad I made the decisions I did. But once I had a boat load of calenders to sell before it was too late, I made my Etsy shop and sold calendars! It was great. And then I was hooked on craft fairs and Etsy.

I recently did another fair and added more than stationery to the mix. And I've added more than stationery to Etsy. I want to upcycle, think outside boxes. Make stuff useful out stuff that's pretty.

So, with my new "channels" (there's that business world word again) breathing new life into my business, I reevaluated what and how and where and when I wanted to function.

That leads me to here.

I decided to shut down the site I agonizingly built a year ago because it just wasn't needed anymore. It was a great ride and I will cherish the experience, the pride and the challenge. But here is where I need and want to be. I want to blog and post fun stuff and share my creative outbursts and challenges. I want to discuss everything that goes into running my business or what I think about embossing guns. And I want to use this new site as a way to reach out and learn from readers, fellow artisans and customers.

Of course I hope you'll like my designs and head to my Etsy store and order some personalized stationery for you or a friend. I hope when calendars come out, you'll find one you like. I hope you'll fall in love with my Classy Sass note pads and order a bunch for you and your girlfriends. But, this place is a place for me to express all that I hope to learn and create.

What's My Future? Whatever I come up with!