Farewell tsd blog

Hey yall! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I just wanted to let you know that I have decided that juggling 3 blogs of my own is just too much for my organized self. I thought by creating TSD - a separate blog for my indie biz/blog 101 posts that it would help keep me organized but I was wrong.

 So, if you would like to keep up with shop updates, tutorials & such. Along with what I regularly post on my main blog. Please follow me on Live.Laugh.L0ve. because that is where everything will be from now on.

Thank you all for your support on this journey.

xoxo

What it takes to own an indie biz - Your Heart

Catch up on the series here.

So we have gone over most things that it takes to own and indie biz. But this is the most important one to understand I think. Just what exactly it takes if you are absolutely serious about this. If you are really looking to quit your job or run your business while you stay at home with the kids.

You have to understand that owning an indie biz take your heart.


What do I mean by that? It means your heart goes into ever product you make. Every website you design. Every new sign that is painted. Every clutch that is sewn. Every subway art that is made. Your heart goes into each one of those products and your customers will see that. They will see just how much you love what you do.

Your heart goes into the design you want for the shop. The photos and descriptions you put up. The promoting you do. Your heart goes into every item you package. It's like a little piece of you is going to someone else. Because you know that your heart went into everything you did.

All the time spent.
All the items made.
All the pictures taken.
All the promoting.
It's all worth it in the end.

Because your heart is in it and you love what you do.

What it takes to own an indie biz - Determination

If you are just now joining us for this series you can see all the posts here.

Owning an indie biz takes alot of determination. Knowing what you want and going after it. It takes focus and discipline. You have to work hard and keep going even with things are going smoothly. You have to want your indie biz to succeed. You have to have the determination to do so.

I have faltered a couple of times in this.
When sales aren't high.
My creativity seems at a standstill.
I just get down that nothing seems to be going the way I want it.

But my determination and drive to own an indie biz and have it succeed, keeps me going.
It pulls me out of my funk.
It reminds me I can do this.

I am determined to give everything I have in me, into my shop. Every long night. Ever promotion. Every new product. Every order.

Is all driven my one word.

Determination

Shop update - Prints & more prints!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone's weekend was wonderful!
Today's shop update today is brought to you with prints.

I have two new ones in the shop & I also finished two custom prints this weekend.
First I'll show you the two custom digital prints that I did.

The two ladies I made these for were so sweet and it was really fun to play around and design something unique for them!

Now the new prints in the shop.

First up we have...

He died because he loves you digital print file.

Next up is...

Be the light digital print file

You can find both of these new prints under the prints section in my shop.

Showcase Saturday - Take The Cannoli

Oh how I have a beautiful shop to show you today. I met Nat during one of our Golden Tribe meetings. I completely adore her & her blog. She has an amazing personality, a wonderful heart and is talented all the way! She owns a beautiful shop called Take The Cannoli.

She creates hand stitched items that make my heart go pitter patter.
Every single one she has ever put in her shop I have fell in love with.
You can absolutely tell that she loves what she does.

Here are a few of my favorites!

You're my favorite found here.

This true love one found here is absolutely beautiful!

This one found here called hope steals my heart away.

What is your favorite item from her shop?

What it takes to own an indie biz - helpful sites & tips

I have hand selected five posts that I have helped me tremendously from other indie biz owners.
No one has all the answers.
But with everyone sharing tips - it is extremely helpful.

Tips.


1. Don't be afraid to fail. This is the biggest one. Because there are going to be some products that just don't sale as good as other's or don't sale at all - which makes you wonder what went wrong. But don't be afraid of it because it shows you what your customers like and what they don't.

2. Take & break. If you are going to own an indie biz, taking breaks is needed. It gives yourself time to think of new ideas, make new products and most of all it gives you time to let your creativity soar.

3. Give it your all. Don't go into it with half a heart. Throw yourself into your indie biz. Let your customers see that you love what you make and that you are good at it. That the products are dear to your heart.

Sites


This post about becoming an expert in your field by Gussy Sews

I love this post by The Wonder Forest on getting started.

This series on defining success on Neathering Our Fest's blog may help you understand what success means to you.

Shop update - Prints

I hope you all had a wonderful fourth of July yesterday.
I am extending the code to work until midnight tonight.
Use code fourthofJuly to get 20% off in the shop.

I have two new digital prints in the shop.
First one is.

Just keep breathing - Find out all the details about it here.

Second one is.

Reflection of him - find out all the details about it here.

Happy Thursday!

What it takes to own an indie biz - Motivation

Yesterday we talked about the time that goes into owning an indie biz.
Today we are going to talk about the motivation needed.
Because we all need motivation.
Someone to encourage us and well motivate us on what we are doing.
Pushing us a little harder. Bouncing ideas off of.

My husband is excellent at being my motivator.
I show him all of my ideas.
Every product I make.

He makes me think.
He compliments them.
Tells me where they could improve.
When I mess up and get frustrated - he's there to tell me it's going to be okay and try again.

You need someone who is going to motivate you. Because while we have these ideas and dreams and goals bouncing around in our heads, it's easy to get side tracked or frustrated that something isn't going your way and make us second guess ourselves. Find someone who will motivate you.

It will pay off.

Who motivates you when you get in a slump?

What it takes to own an indie biz - Time

Time. We never have enough of it do we? We have to learn to balance our time between everything that we do. Especially when you are trying to run an indie biz because there is so much time that goes into it. I'm going to break it down for you because it took me awhile to grasp this and to set times for me to do everything that needed to get done.

Factor in the time it takes to make your products. This can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple of hours. I always try to work on shop items during the boys quiet time or when they are asleep at night because that is when I can focus best.

Taking pictures. I try to do this right after the product is made that way I don't forget to take the picture because yes I have done this before. If I can't do it right after I will do it the next morning when I can use some good sunlight.

Editing your pictures. I always edit my pictures. Cropping them to make them perfect. Watermarking them. Resizing them. Thankfully I can do this anytime of the day but it is another thing that does take awhile to do.

Listing your items & writing descriptions. This isn't too bad if you are only putting one or two products in the shop at that time, but if you have a good amount - this is going to take some time.

Promoting. Putting the word out about your shop or products or both. Takes time. Thank heavens for social media sites and smart phones. I can easily do this from my phone. But regardless - it is time that goes into it.

These are just a few things. This doesn't include the packaging it up. Running to the post office. To the store for more packaging supplies. So before you jump head long into it - remember all of this. Because you are going to be doing it all. ;)

New series - What it takes to own an indie biz

This is a new series here on The Spontaneous Designer where I, along with a few other ladies are going to be sharing what it takes to own an indie biz. There is more that goes into it then most people think and I am excited to share this new series with you. I want you to understand what goes into what an indie biz owner does.

Weather you are looking to start your own business or you are a buyer. It will be beneficial to both getting to see what goes on behind the scenes and what it really takes.

Day one - starts tomorrow so be on the lookout. :)

I hope you all had a great weekend and have a wonderful Monday!