my love got me this today... along with some other beautiful presents.
Purple Sage Designz Patchwork and Tams - Blog about the crafting life, Handmade Hippie and Bohemian accessories and clothing, small cottage business, spiritual and random thoughts.
Monday, January 14, 2008
I should not be online today because
my love got me this today... along with some other beautiful presents.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Thoughts based (or supported) by a business article "Learn to love yourself first"
Interesting article from www.startupnation.com
a web site by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs which covers a lot of interesting and valuable topics.
Here is an excerpt from the linked forum article above:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. Your business cannot grow any faster than your personal growth.
If you don't like who you are or your picture - you may need to work on whatever those self-esteem issues are first because they will keep coming up over and over again and keep holding you back and hurting your opportunity for success with your business. These things go hand in hand together. We have all had our own personal growth journey and challenges to gradually develop our own level of confidence - and confidence sells in business. People sense when you are confident and passionate about yourself and what you do - and they gravitate towards confident people.
Also, the more you develop personal confidence the more you will be willing to try new things and take a few risks to get the word out about you and what you have to offer. If you're serious about having a successful business maybe it's time to stop protecting and guarding your current level of confidence and self esteem and start looking for ways to improve it and grow it. Confidence is attractive and draws people to us - both in business and in our personal life.
2. The world of business is not the world of the childhood sandbox.
Remember when the kids were little at the park and the moms would sit nearby and make sure the kids all played nice? Well, in business this isn't true.
That doesn't mean we want to be mean-spirited or take advantage of anyone on purpose - it does mean yes, people will make decisions about people based on their appearance sometimes - it's human behavior. You can say that's unfair but this is business - not the sandbox at the park. It's a reality. You can rebel and tell everyone that it's not fair - and you might even be right - but it's like trying to push a river upstream.
I've noticed that many moms on some of the networks put their “momness” first before being a business owner at times. They want to level the playing field and make everything nicey-nice as if competition and marketing didn't exist and they were sitting near the sandbox trying to get everyone to behave. Except this is business not the sandbox. You might admonish something "unfair" or "not nice." You might even silence our comments temporarily - but you won't change us because this the business not the sandbox.
You can say "I can't do this" or "I'm afraid or uncomfortable to do that" and "people shouldn't judge me for this" but excuses are not attractive in business. And you might be totally right that it's not fair - but we still will get an impression about you. If you’re online to do business – be businesslike.
3. When you feel "beat up" take a break.
Years ago I left my marriage - I was unhappy, felt like a failure, broke, overweight, lost my job - my life was a mess. I made the amazing decision that I only wanted people in my life who were supportive and wanted my highest good. When I look back on it - that was pretty audacious and nervy. Who in the heck did I think I was to have supportive people in my life? I'd never had that before. And I was 34. Not a kid. Well, it didn't nothing changed immediately but it gradually led to more positive born of confidence – not fear or feeling unworthy. Loving myself led to feeling entitled to more good in my life. And that has made all the difference.
Breathe. Learn to take care of yourself first. Learn to love yourself. Then your business success will follow. (End of quoted article)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A home-based business has certain pitfalls. Being a woman does not make it easier.
Self-love (not to be mistaken for narcissm) is essential for our lives, and consequently for the business we run. No matter if we wear a business suit and have a CEO title or if we portray that indie crafter/artist who occasionally create their masterpieces in pjs.
a web site by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs which covers a lot of interesting and valuable topics.
Here is an excerpt from the linked forum article above:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. Your business cannot grow any faster than your personal growth.
If you don't like who you are or your picture - you may need to work on whatever those self-esteem issues are first because they will keep coming up over and over again and keep holding you back and hurting your opportunity for success with your business. These things go hand in hand together. We have all had our own personal growth journey and challenges to gradually develop our own level of confidence - and confidence sells in business. People sense when you are confident and passionate about yourself and what you do - and they gravitate towards confident people.
Also, the more you develop personal confidence the more you will be willing to try new things and take a few risks to get the word out about you and what you have to offer. If you're serious about having a successful business maybe it's time to stop protecting and guarding your current level of confidence and self esteem and start looking for ways to improve it and grow it. Confidence is attractive and draws people to us - both in business and in our personal life.
2. The world of business is not the world of the childhood sandbox.
Remember when the kids were little at the park and the moms would sit nearby and make sure the kids all played nice? Well, in business this isn't true.
That doesn't mean we want to be mean-spirited or take advantage of anyone on purpose - it does mean yes, people will make decisions about people based on their appearance sometimes - it's human behavior. You can say that's unfair but this is business - not the sandbox at the park. It's a reality. You can rebel and tell everyone that it's not fair - and you might even be right - but it's like trying to push a river upstream.
I've noticed that many moms on some of the networks put their “momness” first before being a business owner at times. They want to level the playing field and make everything nicey-nice as if competition and marketing didn't exist and they were sitting near the sandbox trying to get everyone to behave. Except this is business not the sandbox. You might admonish something "unfair" or "not nice." You might even silence our comments temporarily - but you won't change us because this the business not the sandbox.
You can say "I can't do this" or "I'm afraid or uncomfortable to do that" and "people shouldn't judge me for this" but excuses are not attractive in business. And you might be totally right that it's not fair - but we still will get an impression about you. If you’re online to do business – be businesslike.
3. When you feel "beat up" take a break.
Years ago I left my marriage - I was unhappy, felt like a failure, broke, overweight, lost my job - my life was a mess. I made the amazing decision that I only wanted people in my life who were supportive and wanted my highest good. When I look back on it - that was pretty audacious and nervy. Who in the heck did I think I was to have supportive people in my life? I'd never had that before. And I was 34. Not a kid. Well, it didn't nothing changed immediately but it gradually led to more positive born of confidence – not fear or feeling unworthy. Loving myself led to feeling entitled to more good in my life. And that has made all the difference.
Breathe. Learn to take care of yourself first. Learn to love yourself. Then your business success will follow. (End of quoted article)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A home-based business has certain pitfalls. Being a woman does not make it easier.
Self-love (not to be mistaken for narcissm) is essential for our lives, and consequently for the business we run. No matter if we wear a business suit and have a CEO title or if we portray that indie crafter/artist who occasionally create their masterpieces in pjs.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Weekend Video -- Enigma "Return to Innocence"
So beautiful, New Age Music at its best. My favorite Enigma song is "Sadeness", but I refrained from posting the video here. Some Catholics or Christians may take offense, as art can always be easily misinterpreted. Being a Roman Catholic myself I think it's a masterpiece, but not every reader may share my opinion.
Working on a guide for hat styles (tams, crowns, beanies, bonnets and their history) to be added soon.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Been shopping -- New inspirations
I have finished my wholesale order and a few more of my best seller hats, it's time for new OOAK creations. and a bit of ME - time, a silent New Year's resolution I came up with, pampering myself, the body & soul, not the working machine of the pre-holiday madness.
So, I gave myself 2 half days off to go shopping. (I had been to Stage for new summer tops already after Christmas, so I was not really after new ready-to-wear clothes made in Vietnam).
I got my thrills at the thriftstore: I carried 4 heavy bags out of my favorite 2nd hand goodwill store. Superb quality linen skirts, more skirts and dresses, a great load to upcycle and repurpose. Yeah. Notions, buttons, 70s crochet mags, new corduroy fabric, ribbon...Oh Happy Day:)
At Hobby Lobby: Simplicity patterns went on sale, and even though I don't follow commercial patterns they are very valuable in creating certain fits and styles. And I really liked what I saw, especially the new "project runway" patterns and the styles designed and advertised by Ms Ali. Those would look cool in vintage double knit, or just hippie cotton and hemp as well. I have to admit, I gave the Hobby Lobby cashier a hard time, I purchased 120(!) patterns and caused a major problem when I reached a critical sum of identical items purchased. An error message popped up at the cashier window and only with the help of the store manager was I able to check out. Mind you, Hobby Lobby has a new policy of only 10 patterns per customer per visit, well, they let me have them after all.
Here are a few designs that I will use as inspiration, and inspiration only (no products for sale made with commercial patterns as this is violating copyrights). You can find the patterns at a great price at my supply store, check it out.
Visit Retrochicboutique to find these new patterns later this week.
And finally at Hastings where I got 2 issues of interweave crochet and a used book with lots of ideas to reconstruct an outdated wardrobe "Cheap Frills".
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Fantasy -- Earth Wind & Fire (live 2007)...Happy Friday
to you guys with a day job outside of the home.
For me it's a Happy Friday as well: After suffering through a split tooth with root canal infection, stomach problems due to penicillin and anti-inflammatory meds I feel relieved from a crucial painful time. I didn't write about it in my blog, assuming that nobody wants to cringe over my ongoing dental odyssey. So I talked about my skirt and did business as usual. I am not sure if blog readers want to know about the not so positive times in our lives...I am on the fence with this one. I question 24/365 positive and happy people, guess it's just my realistic nature, but then again, do I want to know about all the problems anyone may have? I need to give this more thought.
Feeling still a bit weak, but loaded with new energy I searched Youtube for 70s classic soul and came across some fabulous Earth, Wind & Fire videos. Fantasy had always been one of my favorites by this wonderful band, I owned all their vinyls back then. I first chose an original 70s performance, but the mouth movements were somewhat off. So I found an actual new video as they performed live on a German TV show. I even recognized some of the original front guys. But it took me a few minutes to figure out that the guitar player with long braids was Maurice White. Or not?
I missed the live concert when they performed in Bremen, Germany, hopefully one day I will get a chance. They are older now,
but so am I:)
Enjoy.
For me it's a Happy Friday as well: After suffering through a split tooth with root canal infection, stomach problems due to penicillin and anti-inflammatory meds I feel relieved from a crucial painful time. I didn't write about it in my blog, assuming that nobody wants to cringe over my ongoing dental odyssey. So I talked about my skirt and did business as usual. I am not sure if blog readers want to know about the not so positive times in our lives...I am on the fence with this one. I question 24/365 positive and happy people, guess it's just my realistic nature, but then again, do I want to know about all the problems anyone may have? I need to give this more thought.
Feeling still a bit weak, but loaded with new energy I searched Youtube for 70s classic soul and came across some fabulous Earth, Wind & Fire videos. Fantasy had always been one of my favorites by this wonderful band, I owned all their vinyls back then. I first chose an original 70s performance, but the mouth movements were somewhat off. So I found an actual new video as they performed live on a German TV show. I even recognized some of the original front guys. But it took me a few minutes to figure out that the guitar player with long braids was Maurice White. Or not?
I missed the live concert when they performed in Bremen, Germany, hopefully one day I will get a chance. They are older now,
but so am I:)
Enjoy.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Windy and cold on January 1st...no good day for outdoor pictures
I have finished this sweet corduroy skirt today and asked my companion to take pictures of me modeling it. Not the best idea on a windy afternoon. But I love how the skirt came out, huge bottom spin, nice recycled corduroys and a vintage lace at the bottom. I guess I need to go back to pictures on my dress form to list this one. I am tempted to keep it for myself but it's too big for me in the waist area (the fabric bustles too much in the back when I pull it flat in the front), it's definitely a nice larger skirt for mamas in the plus size range with a bit more to love:)
If you are interested you can buy it here.
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