Online Shops/Paid Sponsorships

I. Am. Discouraged.

I recently started up an online shop, and I was super excited the first two weeks, but this third week has been a doosy! {My shop is called Bishop Place Handmade}

I have been in the blog world for a few years now. Meeting new people, supporting handmade, and buying from online shops. I have been an advocate for online shops, sharing, pinning, and loving on some of my favorite handmade shops {for free might I add} simply because I loved the products and the people behind the products. Now that I have a shop, why is it that everyone needs you to pay for a little support. Shouldn't we share pages that we love? Shouldn't we advocate for handmade?

We are all in this game together. It should be fun and light, instead it's all about how many followers and readers you have. It's really hard to start from scratch, but I'm not giving up. I'm not going to stop supporting handmade. It's a worthy cause.

So, what do we do when we are discouraged? We think positive thoughts. We overcome. We keep on and keep calm as the overly used slogan goes.

I'm keeping my head up. I'm pushing on. This desire has been place in my heart, I have worked hard to learn my skill, and I will not give up. I will not.

Feel sorry for me?? Go head over to Bishop Place Handmade and follow along. It will make me smile :)

"Our" Website

I recently dove in head first and decided to open up an online shop as I have talked about here many, many, times before. It's going pretty well so far! I'm still looking for blogs to sponsor & swap ads with - and maybe even have a giveaway. If you are interested let me know!

The shop can be located at www.bishopplacehandmade.com.

The point to this post is that husband calls it "our" website. Yes, I've done most of the work. Yes, I've had to overcome the significant learning curve, but he has supported me. He is invested. He is so emotionally supportive that he calls it our +website. It makes my heart pitter patter. He doesn't call it silly or a waste of time like he might justifiably have reason to do so. He supports me. He believes in me. He is certain it will be a success.

It's our website.

Every like on facebook, we have a party! He gets just as excited as I do over every comment, like, and share!

My husband believes in me.
His dreams are my dreams.
My dreams are his dreams.

I'm so proud to call him mine.

So, why don't you head over and check out our website.

 see listing here

 chevron zippy pouches listed here

see listing here

Spring Colors 2013

I'm getting ready to work on some things for my handmade booth I rent out monthly. I've stocked it full with rosette necklaces in the past. I plan on upgrading those puppies a little bit come this spring. I love this color combo above - and I see it everywhere! Coral and aqua? Do you like it? It's gorgeous to me!

Since Pantone released the color report for Spring 2013, I've been thinking about colors I want to use this Spring. Emerald, Tender Shoots, and Grayed Jade are my favorites. Which ones do you see yourself wearing this year? I've seen a lot of Poppy Red and Monaco Blue paired together in the stores!

source

Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.

Pretty Please Boutique {Grand Opening}

This past Saturday. the boutique opened where I am renting a booth! I was so excited for an old friend of mine and his wife to chase this dream! It has also allowed me to chase one of mine, too! The boutique has rented out booths to local vendors who sell wreaths, monogrammed items, MudPie baby clothing, smocked outfits, handmade bows, handmade furniture, applique items, heirloom dresses, and so much more!

My booth showcases headbands, rosette necklaces, rosette rings, the ever trendy hair knoties, ruffle cuff bracelets, little guy neckties, little guy bowties, and even some zipper pouches. My sweet sister in law has put some of her AMAZING burp cloths and wipes in the booth as well! I sure hope it does well, but if it does not, it is so much fun! I'm so glad to have a supporting husband who is just as excited about this as I am!

I have designed and renamed this booth to keep it separate from my blog. What do you think?

I strive to keep my costs as low as possible in order to pass on the savings to my {potential} customers. I use coupons and always shop during sales. I can honestly say that I'm proud of my pricing system, and I can still make a profit while selling quality handmade items at an affordable price. For example, my rosette neclaces are $13.99. My hair knoties I sell in groups of 8 for $5.99. My zipper pouches range from $6-$12 {twelve being the largest pouch I make}.

If you are local, head on out to downtown Wetumpka and check out the boutique. You will not be disappointed.

{Find them on facebook!}

A huge thanks to my sister for taking some photos of the booth for me!!