Hyped up on coffee

The orders keep pouring in ( which is a good thing) and it's keeping me going all hours of the night. I've found a new love for coffee....which I typically hate, but came to find out NEED in order to work until 1-2am. I am astounded at how busy i've become and feel guilty for things I don't get around to anymore such as...housework....my friends....little things with my kids. I never dreamed something so small could turn into something so big in one month. Usually I am so bored that if I have a getaway or vacation coming up it's all I cna think about. Now I'm looking at the date going CRAP I have to leave in a couple of days...two nights left to work on pieces! It's like i've gone mad ha! I am totally looking forward to time with my best friends but dreading coming back to the wordload ahead of me.

So much to do so little time

It has been one chaotic month in our household and my shop but I think we've finally adjusted to the changes that have been taking place. I began my shop on Etsy a month ago and it took off like a bottle rocket so we all scattered to ensure I could hold up to what I promise my customers in terms of service and items. My shop was built in the basement with custom cutting tables and work space, ample storage space and all types of nice touches to help me stay organized. It has truly cut back on time it took to make each piece as now I have everything at hand. To prevent boredom and loneliness I have the companionship of the television and the computer so that I can stay in contact with my customers while I am working.

Last week I was also approved to sell on http://www.lollishops.com/ a new venue due to open late fall so that will be fun to try something new.

LolliShops is a juried, online selling venue for talented artists, collectors of vintage and art supply vendors. LolliShops will appeal to those who love...
Elegant Whimsy
Romantic Inspirations
Fanciful Creations
... artists will enjoy setting up their own, customizable store fronts while LolliShops patrons enjoy feeling like a kid in a Candy Store!

My tutus and dresses are now being sold in six boutiques across the United States and are being used by several photographers. My favorite being Melissa Jones Photography in Columbus Ohio. She takes beautiful pictures, I could get lost in them for days!
http://www.melissajonesphotography.com/

We've also been busy busy with the garden and preparing our veggies for the winter which is always an exhausting venture. It seems most nights we are up until 2am getting work done but it helps us sleep deeply at night!

Caitlin is back in school, fifth grade this year and is already dreading going each morning, I sense a long year in the making.

Trinity is a monkey, climbing everything! We can not keep her off of or out of anything anymore so it's toddler chaos all day long. I wish I had her energy!

I'm looking forward to the weekend as my best friends and I are heading to Pittsburgh to enjoy the long weekend. We plan on doing some shopping at the Strip outdoor mall, a couple of other malls, and then hitting up the zoo on Monday. Kim, Marieta and I have all been working super hard this month so a break is in order! I've been told, no tulle allowed, so I'm not sure how I can handle not making a tutu for a few days. We'll see how that goes!

Craftin' mamas

Recently I began tapping into my crafty side and began selling my home made tutus and dresses. It's been quite the whirlwind of activity and I had no clue just how busy it would keep me. As of lately, it seems I am tied up with taking and making orders, promoting, organizing and shipping. There is no set bed time for a crafting mom. I know for me personally, it's been the wee hours of the morning since I began designing my creations. What I really didn't realize was a very pleasant surprise. There are so many talented mothers who put their heats and souls into their ideas. There are circles and cliques all over the world wide web where mothers, such as myself come together and share ideas and tips and great conversation. The dedication of these mothers is amazing! Some of them have set up shop in their living rooms and some in garages, any nook they can call their own to tap out of mom world and into using their skills. It has enlightened me to the vast variety and uniqueness of items that you can not find in stores. I've found it much more gratifying to purchase something from a fellow artisan knowing her heart went into it, than running into the store to grab a quick gift. So in honor of my fellow beauty makers I am using all homemade crafts for Trinity's birthday party this year. The treat bags will be overflowing with goodies from talented women all over the country. If you need help finding a unique gift please let me know i'll send you in the right direction. Just go to www.etsy.com and in the search engine type in cafemom team....that is an etsy street team I am member of filled with some of the greatest women I've come across with so many different products to chose from!
And of course, if you need a tutu or dress stop by my store for a custom creation at http://mom2twogals.etsy.com