There is only so much time in the day, so I try to make the most of it!

There is not much new around here, I'm still wading through piles of Snow White books and items to stuff into the kits.

See what I mean?  Every table in the studio is heaped up with carefully sorted (even though it doesn't look like it) goodies to do with the kits.  I even set up two extra tables, and also filled tubs. 

But hey, there is HOPE! Look at the stack of wrapped kits on the far table, in front of the window. Yep, the packaging is almost done.  The rest of the room is just littered with the detritis of making the kits.

Those stacks of cut wallpaper on the table?  Some of those are sorted into piles, ready to photograph and add to the shop.  My son and I got just a tad carried away on those chopping and ironing days we had.

But the truth about why nothing else is happening around here, is that I am soooo hooked on the books themselves.   I've made up four examples for the class, including one that I'm am keeping for myself and personalizing with family fairy tale photos.

On this page, I've taken a page from one of the children's story books, and cut Black Beauty from it, with another page behind the horse as I cut it out so that I ended up with a second animal shape.  (it was an accident, but one that I am glad that I did!)   I added a unicorn horn to each, flipped one over, layered them on the paper, and tinted them with glitter markers.

Dewdrop adores "honies" above all things.  She is a "My Little Pony" addict, and calls them honies.   So, this page is for her.

There are other things I could be doing, but this is more fun.  Plus, I thought the students  might appreciate having samples in different stages to look through.  This one will be almost complete, but I am saving space in it to add pictures from the event itself.

There has also been some Birdsong3 behind the scenes details to tend to.  It's funny how much time such things take up, even when the event in months away.  Oh, but how worth it! I'm really excited to know that I have both of these fun weekends to look forward to.

Hopefully, once I get all of these kits boxed and ready to mail, I can concentrate on making Birdsong projects and kits.  And selling that pile of wallpaper. And doing my taxes (Beth offered to help!! Yay, there is nothing better than having an accountant buddy at tax time. And all I have to do for her is redo her antique mall booth.  Heck, that is a pleasure to do, not a hair pulling, tear inducing, fork in the eye, task like tax prep).

There are also extra kits from last year's Birdsong that I forgot about. And need to add to the Boutique. I'd planned on listing them last year and haven't yet. I also found a stack of surplus Fairy Book covers that I'd planned to sell too. 

But there is only so much time in the day.  You know what I have noticed?  I can keep going full tilt and workiing my backside off (not really, it actually seems to grow, not diminish) and never really get ahead.  Because there is always more to do, and only so much time in a day.

I've noticed that my income seems to level out, no matter what I am working on, because nothing is "extra", it ends up taking the place of something else.  So, if I do shows, I am ignoring my shop.  If I concentrate on the shops, I am not having time to make things.  And on and on.

You just can't do it all. At least not at the same time. But that is what is such fun about my so called job.

I can switch it up, go from classes, events, creating, selling, shows, one to the next.  It certainly never gets boring!  When I focus on one area, it does very well, especially the Boutique. But my life would be very dull if all I did was photograph and list and ship every day.  So, I'm glad I can stretch out and try different venues and take breaks from the online shop.  It's still there, still selling, but not as much when I'm not adding to it reguarly.

Yes, changing my focus might not be getting me ahead financially, but it sure keeps me hopping and happy!

 

Comments

[Soarenth]

"Yes, changing my focus might not be getting me ahead financially, but it sure keeps me hopping and happy!"

And that, right there, sounds like a true recipe for success!

May all your days be successful, Karla!

[Linda McMillin]

Looking forward to seeing the new items in the boutique. Might be tempting?

[Gretchen Peacock]

You know what, I think changing focus does help...at least it does me. When I get a bit overwhelmed with writing, I turn to creating and the change seems to be beneficial to both. And considering how creative you are and how unique your creations are, I bet changing focus gives your creative juices an opportunity to 'cook' up new ideas!

[jeanie]

Only so much time in the day? Tell me about it! But I love how you find the diversity in all the projects so yes, they never do get boring. The kits look great -- and all that wallpaper!

[Bears with a HEART]

Oh Karla, I know;
my days also have "just" 24 hours,
allthough I need some more hours.
But I always think; it's lovely to have so much idea's,
to do so much,
to enjoy it all,
while I (we)can!
But I really can understand your feelings about this.

Loved to see your lovely studio, the dogs, the lovely books, wished I could come over.

[catieAn]

oh such lovely books---I am working on altering small encyclopedias at the moment. Thanks for sharing yours. I love your studio---always so beautiful and light and airy.
I often wish I had a bigger one so it wouldn't look so messy but I know I would just be able to spread out more stuff and it would be the same. You are really getting alot done and am excited to see what you have to share.
Sighing...always wishing to live closer to take a class.

[Karla Nathan]

You are so right, Im glad to have so many ideas in my head. I just feel down sometimes that I cant do it ALL!

Karla Nathan
www.karlascottage.typepad.com
www.karlascottage.com