Showcase!

The Lily Pad Shop is in it's first showcase on Etsy! I am so excited! I am trying to sleep...but it's not working.

I am amazed at how "magical" it feels. Funny I know, but I've been dreaming about these moments for so long and here they are! Don't misunderstand, I had to pay to get in to the showcase and it's only for 24 hours, but trying to get a place is difficult.

I am just so excited more people are going to see my work. So yes I feel as though it's magic. Really it's blessings from above. I was blessed with this talent and I am so grateful for it. I don't know why I get to do this, but I do and I am so glad!

Here is the link to the showcase:
http://www.etsy.com/category/children?ref=fp_ln_children

Moments of Joy

I just finished my nieces Halloween Costume. To see how it would look, I put it on my daughter. Though my daughter is smaller than her niece I got the full affect. It almost brought tears to my eyes...as silly as this may seem to some I saw how grown up my daughter has become.

I am beginning to understand the significance of different dresses. Her blessing dress (or christening dress to some), her birthday dresses, her Christmas dress. I am starting to realize that these dresses mark special occasions and show her growing before my eyes.

Before I realize it she will be in her baptism dress, then her prom dresses and then her wedding gown. Dresses that mark our moments of joy. Dresses of significance.

Motivations and Philosophies...of Business

I met a man today who was selling jewelry. The man would purchase the jewelry at an obscenely low cost then resale it at a 500% mark up. He had some interesting ideas about business and the way it should be run. His goal was to get the customers to open their wallets.

I found myself comparing his products and mindset with my products and mind set. His philosophy was that you should spend more time selling and less time making. Never get attached to your product and above all, sell everything at a 300% mark up (at least). In his mind I was a failure.

I don't feel like one though. Allow me to share a few experiences I have had over the past few weeks...

THE APRON

I was in the fabric store a few weeks ago and this fabric jumped out at me. It wasn't my typical fabric choice. On the contrary, it was a fabric with fish all over it, "gone fishin' " and other sayings adorned it. It made me think of Uncle Bill and his love of fishing. I knew I should buy that fabric and make an apron...someone was looking for just that.

So I did.

I got home, cut out the apron and went to work. I embroidered it, added pockets, did all the things that I normally did. One side said "Catch of the Day" The other side said "Gone Fishin' ".

A week went by and no sale. I wasn't worried. I knew the owner of the apron would show himself. Yesterday I was at the Farmer's Market when a gentleman walks up right to the apron. He pulls it off the hook, puts it on, takes it back off, puts it back on. The moment he walked up, I knew it was his apron. He also happened to be retired military (I give a military discount). I knew the apron had found its rightful owner. His hobby of fishing is only one aspect of his life, but I was able to be a small part of it, because something I created spoke to him.

He came back today and talked more with me, for just a minute. He was grateful for the apron and I was grateful I could create joy for someone else.

FLOWERS IN HER HAIR

Today at the Harvest Festival a family came to my booth. The young daughter had a cute little pixie cut. Her eyes weren't the normal young eyes of a girl her age. She looked as though she had seen a lifetime. They didn't buy anything, nothing out of the ordinary. But I knew there was more to the story. They came back a little later and we talked some more. The young girl was a survivor of Leukemia. She had just finished her bone marrow transplant in May and her hair was growing back.

People may say that my business philosophy is off, but it's not. I am in business for the people. I am in business to celebrate the triumphs, the joys, the fun of life. Whether it's a young girl recovering from cancer, who wants to feel pretty with flowers in her hair, or a retired Lt. Colonel that enjoys life and his hobbies. I am in business for people.

My life forever changed

I remember where I was 9 years ago. I remember the whole day. But I also remember what happened after that day that changed the way we live. Because of that day I am a military wife. I am grateful for those that are willing to sacrifice so that we can enjoy freedom and protection. That day was not the only tragedy of our nation, but it is one that holds great significance to me...because it happened when I was old enough to understand and old enough to remember. To see a nation tied together in a necessary bond.

I am able to have my own business because of families that have sacrificed for our freedom. I am blessed and I thank you. All of you!

If you don't already know, I give a 10% discount on all orders from military, firemen, and police and their families. I always give this discount. (I only ask for proof).

The Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market is going well. We are meeting many wonderful new people. It's going on every Friday from 3-7pm. We are at the Water Tower Plaza at Thanksgiving Point.

Hope to see you there!

Mention that you read this on my blog and receive a free crochet headband!!

A Little Fish Swimming in a Big Pond

Tomorrow is the Farmer's Market. I've committed The Lily Pad Shop to be there all 8 weeks. It's every Friday for Two months. The night before finds me trying to get everything done in time. What has surprised me the most isn't how much I wasn't able to get done or what I can yet do but rather what I am feeling. I feel like a little girl still playing dress up in her mom's closet but wanting to be grown up.

This is funny to me! Just a few days ago I watched my little girl playing in my clothes all day, yet here I am feeling small. Nervous and scared I'm jumping in with both feet.

To be truthful I am excited as well. I have never counted my sewing and creativity a talent. I have always assumed everyone else can do it too. Perhaps that's why I feel so small today. Even so, I look forward to tomorrow!

Follow your Dreams

I first had the idea for The Lily Pad Shop in college. I was attending BYU at the time and had little money for gifts for the weddings of my friends. I began making my own cards and gifts to help reduce the expense.

Several years later I was married with a small one at home and struggling to find a creative outlet. My husband wanted to buy me a sewing machine. It had been a while since I sewed. My "Lily Pad Shop" was brought back to life. I began making gifts again. I felt the joy again that comes from creating.

This new adventure of business ownership is exciting and sometimes exhausting. But following your dreams often is. Never give up on those dreams that you hold dear. It may take some time before you see them come to fruition, but if it is worth it to you, it is worth it keep pursuing it.