Summer Ending?

Oh No! The summer can't end, we just got started! The truth is, I am slowly learning that as an artist aka crafter, you must think ahead to the different seasons. Even though we are making our way into August and there is still that lovely 105 degree heat in the air, many of us are wondering what new things we will offer for Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas! Yikes...

I always cringed when I saw Halloween style ribbon in the craft store during the month of June. Or the pharmacy laying out their Christmas cards in September. But now that Jonathan and I are starting our store, we have to be ahead of the game too. Meaning, I can't cringe anymore when it comes to early planning.
In fact, businesses thrive on it! As a customer, I never understood it. I was so annoyed actually. But as a seller, even with just an online shop, the schedule still needs to be ahead of the game.

*Shiver* So, I guess I need to start a plan for the Christmas season. After all,what is summer for anyways? Sunbathing and swimming are overrated *sigh*

The Feeling of Success

Yay, we made our first sale...already! It is a great feeling to know that someone likes your work, and it's not just you :)
The best part is the feeling of dread and the thought of "Are we going to make it?" doesn't seem as daunting.
Your first sale feels like that first drive in your first new car, right after you just got your license (yes, this is a dream sequence. Not many kids I know got their license THEN a car. So, let's pretend)!
We have received nothing but positive feedback from our images as well, which is also a huge plus. Just knowing that our work is being appreciated, and now purchased, is truly amazing to us.

Today, as we drove going home, I looked over at Jonathan and said "You know, this could really work." Then, I saw it. That twinkle of excitement flicker across his face and that ambitious gaze as he nodded and smiled...
People think that they have to give up what they love to make ends meet in this life. I admit, the working world does not make it easy by convincing you otherwise. Hey, I always said I would MEVER work at McDonalds because I was going to be an artist. Guess what my first job was? You guessed it, the famous golden arches. And how would I know that is where I would meet Jonathan.

Life is funny. We go through so many motions and turns, all the while wishing and hoping that when we stop, we will somehow be doing what we love. But I feel we need to stop hanging onto hope, but have the hope in our hearts, while getting out there, and doing something about it.
My take on this is exactly what Nike has been saying all these years: Just Do It!
Get out there, and go! Make a difference by making a step! Get your head in the game, make a plan and fly to the goal. I can't tell you how many times you will fall, or fail. I can't tell you when you will succeed.

But I can tell you that if you never get off the bench to play, then you are no more closer to reaching that goal than the water boy...

New Shop, Up & Running!

One never knows how much work something is until they are about halfway done...then they realize "What did I get myself into?"
Fortunately, when you find something that you love to do, it rarely seems like hard work. The fact is, how many of us work hard every day for somebody else, yet never believe that we could work like that for ourselves? I believe that Jonathan & I, right now, are at a sensitive crossroads that a lot of creative individuals face.
The launch of our new online shop has been causing some excitement for us. We feel that we have been blessed with a rare opportunity to re-evaluate our business plans and to take our dreams seriously.
I am amazed at all the great things we have been hearing from other shop owners about our designs! Let's face it and be honest, breaking the mold is very difficult to do nowadays, and we are just hoping we can stand out amongst the other fine art/photography shops that are out there. I mean, there are some amazing artists! We can only hope to build better business relationships and make great connections as we move forward into this new journey.

Right now, we have 8x10 prints available of our work. Soon there will be smaller prints added, also custom listings, cards, & bookmarks (not in that same order!)
We love to create and capture the things around us because we love life. We feel that there is a God above who is interested in what we do, and where our hearts are at.
We really hope to bring you some inspiration through our images, and pray that your lives will be blessed with this new venture.

*~* Please visit, and let us know what you think! *~*
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WonderfullyMadeArt