Tips to Motivate the Artist/Business Owner

"Men's best successes come after their disappointments."
- Henry Ward Beecher

I decided to share some tips that I’ve formulated for myself to help me figure out my direction and purpose in the next year and, hopefully, many years to come. I’ve shortened my long list as I found myself repeating some of the same statements or issues. If you have any to add, please feel free to do so in the comment box.

Tips to Motivate Myself the Artist as Business Owner:

1) Demonstrate that my customers and my products matter – Explain to myself my responsibilities as a business owner and artist. Understand how my work ethic, creativity, organization and punctuality contribute to my business’s success and my ability to meet deadlines and schedules.

2) Recognize good performance – Set a high production/quality standard for myself and then identify each of my efforts that exceeds my expectations or meets identified goals. Praise myself for a job well done. Discipline myself when my performance is not up to par.

3) Show confidence in myself and my work – Assign “stretch” goals that really challenge me to become a better artist by increasing the difficulty level for the next project. This will, also, build my confidence. Avoid the temptation to give up. Sometimes “muddling” through a task will motivate me to figure a problem out and then use real solutions.

As my first year as Kameli Shae and Ladyfingahs on Etsy comes to a close, I’ve begun to reflect and prepare for 2011. I must say that I came pretty darn close to meeting my goal of 50 sales for the year. That may sound like a small number to many, but when you have other responsibilities that are more important than a home-based business 50 sales can be a bunch. I need to add balance to the list. It can be really difficult at times trying to juggle all that my life entails. Through it all, I must say, I have a blast on this journey. It might be even more enjoyable if in the coming year, things get a little wilder... we'll see!

Gift Certificates...

are still a hit when it comes to finding the perfect gift. Somehow, though, I still feel that you need further convincing of this fact. First, here is a very important figure for you to ponder: 57% of Americans have this item at the top of their wish list (according to a survey conducted by BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation.)

We all have folks on our recipient list who are hard to please. Why chance it that they will be unhappy with the item(s) that you've purchased? Not to mention, if you've purchased an item(s) that the recipient can't return or exchange. Inventory in both of my stores tend to change frequently. I, also, periodically offer deals such as discounts, bogo and/or free shipping.

Gift certificates for Kameli Shae and Ladyfingahs can be found in the right margin of this blog. Here are a few other perks for buying these items:

• This is the best and most appreciated gift for holidays, showers, birthdays, graduations... any special or celebrated occasion. 
• You choose the increments. A lot of retailers have set amounts for their certificates and/or gift cards.
• My store's gift certificates will never expire. Furthermore, as a result of new guidelines under the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act. The law bans expiration dates within at least five years after the cards or certificates are purchased or loaded with funds.
• I will not charge inactivity fees while shoppers take their time deciding which items they would like to purchase.

Gift certificates take the guesswork out of shopping. Make someone happier this year by ultimately giving them the freedom of choice... allow them to choose their own item!

I had a ball...

I didn't think that I would have so much fun attending a baby shower. I believe the biggest reason I did was because it has been a while since I attended a function without the family. I not only enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with other adult ladies, but the food was great, too. Food that I didn't have to prepare, although I did offer my assistance as I was the first guest to arrive.

The purpose of the shower was to congratulate one of my former student's on the upcoming arrival of her first child. Of course, my gift was handmade by (myself) Kameli Shae. For some reason, I love making bib and burpee sets. I love functional items for children. BB sets can be used for as long as you think your child needs to be shielded from the constant mess they'll make when eating. Unless, they're like one of mine, who decided that from about nine months she was never going to wear a bib. That girl would constantly snatch it from around her neck. 

Well, They've already chosen a name for the baby boy, so this time I was able to personalize the sets with his initial ('e'). I love the animal print the best. It's a new fabric by David Miller called "Oh Boy! Zoo Animals". He has several new prints available this season. Lately, I've been more inspired to pursue another masters in Textile Design, but I'll save the details for another post. These are for sale at kamelishae.etsy.com... log on for more info.