I love to compete - with myself

Do you ever see something that someone else has done and say "I could do that" ? I do, all the time. Today I had the opportunity to look at some business cards that others on Etsy had designed for their own businesses and I started to compare mine to theirs (I compare myself to other people A LOT my boyfriend will be the first one to tell you that), but in this case it was a good thing because it made me challenge myself.

I looked at those business cards, and I looked at my old business card and I decided that I could do better.

I'm no graphic designer, but I play around a lot, and I spent a ton of time on my computer tonight working on a new business card. Now I do have to warn you that the layout is basically the same as the old one, and the picture is the same, but the background is new and I LOVE IT.

Just so you can compare, I'm going to post both the old one (top) and the new one (bottom):

I love looking at these two pictures next to each other, because not only does my new business card look more professional (and shows off more of my personality) you can clearly see that I have been working on the quality of my photos!

My very first Etsy Purchase!

I just bought this beautiful Vintage cocktail ring from Etsy seller MissesBird (http://missesbird.etsy.com/)!

I have been on Etsy for almost 2 months but I had never bought anything before. Believe me I have been trying to talk myself out of buying for the last couple of days, but this particular ring caught my eye and there was no turning back.

Now I can't wait to get it I don't know if i'm more excited to get the ring, or to get a package in the mail!

Ladies Who Launch

I have just started reading the book "Ladies Who Launch" by Victoria Colligan and Beth Schoenfeldt. It is not really a book about starting your own business, it's more about the idea that launching your life (i.e. doing what you want to do with all aspects of your life) is not just something that you do, but a mindset and a lifestyle.

I certainly don't agree with absolutely everything that Colligan and Schoenfeldt have to say (being the critical, educated thinker that I am - thank you liberal arts education!), but they do introduce a lot of interesting topics that make me feel a lot better about my current lifestyle.

Basically the authors say that women, especially those who work in non-corporate settings, conduct business very differently than men (duh!).

A couple of times while I was reading I found descriptions of myself. According to Colligan and Schoenfeldt "Women are more likely to have a creative idea when out in the world circulating." Thank you thank you thank for validating my need to get out, move around, and see more than the same four walls all day every day!

I cannot sit behind a desk all day. I cannot even sit in my studio (ok my bedroom, but it really does double as my studio/office for now...) all day. I need to go run errands, I need to go out for lunch, I live for taking packages to the post office!

Another thing that they mention is that many women complete tasks during their work day that others view as play (i.e. meeting friends for lunch, writing this blog!) but these things are important because they allow us to connect with others, and those connections can have a huge impact on our work. I just caught myself doing this. I was browsing the forums at Etsy and I told myself that it was time to get back to work. But then I had to remind myself that for me, those forums are productive. I learn things there that I cannot find anywhere else.

So these are just a couple of nuggets of wisdom that I have received from this book so far, but I will continue to keep you posted because I find it absolutely fascinating that someone understands the way that I work, and I will definitely be suggesting this book to all of those people who still think that I don't have a job!

Is this success?

I am exhausted! I have had an insanely busy weekend, but I am so excited because I sold two planners in the last two days. Is this what it feels like to be successful?!

In honor of my recent sales I want to feature some other Etsy sellers who have also made sales today. I used Etsy's Pounce feature to locate other sellers who have just made a sale, here are a couple of really cute items:

These adorable Halloween Fun Mini Notecards were just sold by CardsandNotes (http://cardsandnotes.etsy.com/) This shop is full of cute cards and note cards, they even have pot-it note holders, perfect for someone like me, I LOVE to make lists.

BernioliesDesigns (http://bernioliesdesigns.etsy.com/) Just sold the pattern for this absolutely gorgeous Elegant Gray Capelet. Who wouldn't feel like a million dollars while wearing this! I love to crochet, but unfortunately I've only mastered the straight line, I am in awe of anyone who can make something so incredibly beautiful out of yarn.

Finally, this Smaller Eternity Ring with Crystals necklace was just sold by cinnamonsticks (http://cinnamonsticks.etsy.com/). I love it because it is stunning, eye catching, and personal, yet simple enough to be worn every day. I had a necklace similar to this one when I was in high school (it said "dance dance dance" because I was the captain of my high school dance team) and I wore it all of the time!

Check out these incredible sellers on http://www.etsy.com/ and if you're bored give the Pounce feature a try, it could keep me entertained for hours!

Full Pull!

Here are some of the pictures that I promised from the National Tractor Pulling Championships:

Welcome to my hometown!

I am from Bowling Green Ohio - otherwise known as Pulltown USA, home of the National Tractor Pulling Championships, which is being held this weekend.

For anyone who has never experienced a tractor pull before your really must go to understand what i'm talking about, it's an incredible atmosphere. (Before I get too far, for an overview of the sport of Tractor Pulling visit the website of the National Tractor Pulling Association www.ntpapull.com, and www.pulltown.com has a great video of the sport).

Now i'm not what you would call a Tractor Pulling fanatic by an means, I do admit that the noise and the smoke is a little exciting, but I am going to the pulls tonight to engage in my favorite sport: People Watching. And I promise that this is the best place in the world to people watch. Think NASCAR race meets Daytona Beach during Spring Break.

I will definitely post pictures from my adventures!

My new favorite website

I have to tell you all about my new favorite website. I am currently addicted to shabby blogs (www.shabbyblogs.com) they have absolutely gorgeous backgrounds, buttons, and more, AND it's all free!

I discovered shabby blogs while reading forum posts on Etsy (another addiction) so major thanks to blueberryshoes who linked shabby blogs in the forum! As my thanks to her I am posting the link to her shop: http://blueberryshoes.etsy.com go check it out!