Sometimes you have to break the mold

I have two retail spots one in Turlock,Ca and one in Modesto,CA.  These stores have given me a huge presence in the community, but at the end of the day only so many people come into stores.  They're is a huge clientele that I am missing by them not being able to come in store, so I've created an etsy store to sell some of my items online.  Let's face when most people who are luck enough to have jobs are working long hours and don't have the time to go in store.  This is why I am working on creating more of an online presence with facebook and also since shopping online is my favorite thing to do, I think I'm on the right track.
 My goal when I started a year ago was to have a foot in the local market and now I want customers throughout the state.  Also as of January I'm closing my Turlock location to focus on going into other markets, also because both of these shops are within 15 miles of each other, and sometimes I feel the customer base crossover each other.  Modesto is more profitable and will stay my retail spot official and I will consigning items into shops in other areas of the state, where people may have never seen my products and I want to do more craft fairs throughout the state. At the end of the day no one can sell your product as good as you, I want to secure my customer base throughout the state and also I love meeting new customers!!!  I have always had the attitude that I need to approach this in a business frame of mind and I'm always thinking ahead.  Stay tuned more change is a coming!!!

Making new items handmade signs

Sometimes when your doing furniture, you realize that you can also create other home decor items for your clients home.  I have currently started creating handpainted signs that have various sayings, they are a way for you to bring a lil sign of life into your home.  Each sign is one of kind and can be customized to the clients liking and some have glitter added to them of them.  Please email at herroyalhighness1@live.com for details on any of my products!!!

Doing Handmade events Artsy Girls xmas boutique

Doing handmade events are a great way to connect with new customers that have never made it in store to either of my boutique locations.  It is always good to connect with other handmade crafters and find out what is new in the community.  Sometimes it may not be necessary rich in profit, but the exposure of your business is key to its success, you can never have too much exposure!!!  More events that you do, the more the word spreads and the more chance you have of getting new clients.  I think sometimes establish businesses forget that you always need to be working on getting new clients, espicially in these tough economic times.

New in Store: Adorable Vintage White French Vanity

When I got this piece, I really wondered what I had gotten myself into.  It has had lots of nicks, chips and messed up veneer.  I spent alot of time fixing it, and its result is very, very breathtaking.  This adorable Vintage White French Vanity has five drawers, two hidden compartments, was repainted in a classic clean white and at $150.00 it is perfect for your home.  Give that princess in your life, a gift they will treasure for the rest of their life!!!

New in store: Vintage White Texture Dresser

Sometimes when you find a vintage treasure you wonder what for it will take, once your done.  When I got this dresser it had a top that had been severely damaged, and the bottom veneer on the edges was also damaged.  It sat in my workshop for almost one year before I started to work on it, now is a adorable Vintage White Texture Dresser that has four drawers, I added reproduction victorian glass knobs, had a bottom border of trim was added on the front and sides of the dresser.  It was added to give strength to the bottom, to give it dimensions to the dresser and gives it so much style.  I also love using trim on furniture, you can get great results and it makes it look truly unique.  In doing this piece it has inspired me to look outside the box when redoing a furniture piece and be more creative.

Christmas decorating ideas....

AHH the holidays are upon my royal followers, the time of year to eat to much good food, see the family and decorate the home is upon us.  Get a head start on the holiday mess by decorating your home before thanksgiving, this way you can enjoy the holidays without worrying about where to put the tree!!!  I also advocate using vintage items in decorating, pull out a Silver Platter and put some vintage ornaments on it, add a candle in a jar (an old mason jar would be absolutely fabulous), add some flowers from your garden for some charm, presto a vintage centerpiece for your holiday gathering!!!  Incorporate your personal taste into decorating your home for the holidays for example I collect fashion ornaments, they are apart of my personal love for high fashion, so I put them on my tree every year they show my personal fashion.  Don't forget that vintage treasures make wonderful gifts for the holidays. 

Alternative Use for a Vintage Item

I love, love old saucer plates from teacup sets.  If you have a great teacup and saucer set, and the teacup breaks I have found alternative uses for saucer plates.  My favorite use for it is using it to put my teabag and spoon after having a cup of green tea after a long day.  This saves you from getting tea stains on your counter and making a mess in your kitchen for no reason.  Also they can be used for a stylish spoon holder on your stove, why go and buy something ordinary when you can reuse and repurpose a treasure.  Also I use them for an alternative soap dish in your bathroom, a great idea for the holidays!!!