I can see the new year so clearly… finally 2020 vision! ~Erika Ettin

I can see the new year so clearly… finally 2020 vision! ~Erika Ettin

(actually not sure if it's her quote... but she did write it on FaceBook!)

Erika, is a college friend of mine who is not only a competitive pun-maker, but also an amazing entrepreneur. (sidenote: she owns a biz that advises people in online dating and has been making successful matches for years! Here is her website if you are interested! https://www.alittlenudge.com/) Anyway – I love this quote from her because it’s silly, and although not TOTALLY accurate, it is definitely on the same wavelength with how I feel about this business of mine, Make Something, Inc.

I’ve tried out a lot of crafty endeavors, both before becoming an LLC and in the couple of years since I made it legit. In 2019, I’ve said yes to opportunities wherever I can, I’ve tried things that worked very well, I’ve tried things that belly flopped, and I’ve accumulated a TON of art supplies, skills, and expertise, as well as an eclectic collection of Pinterest saves!!!

What I’ve learned is that I LOVE teaching, and these abilities spark the strongest when I’m teaching canvas painting, holding paper crafting/card-making workshops, and leading custom crafting/artsy birthday parties and special events.

In 2019 I had a busy year professionally -

· Taught over 16 paintings at The Pottery Factory in Mt. Kisco, NY

· Designed and taught a 6 session after-school curriculum centered around crafting with 18” dolls (Grades K – 4th)

· Designed & led birthday parties with various themes: LOL crafts, American Girl inspired crafts, Slime, Animal Charm Making, Unicorn Spa crafts, Cake Decorating, Chocolatiering, Painting, etc.

· Made custom party favors for a handful of events

· Prepped fundraiser craft materials for a girl scout meeting (their fundraiser sold out!)

· Developed a Make Something Inc. “fun patch”

· Hosted crafts at 3 holiday fairs, plus the P'Ville Farmer’s Market and Pleasantville Day

· Perfected my woodslice stamping projects – and secured a supplier of quality wood slices

· Signed on as a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! – attended a handful of classes and 2 conferences while building up my supply of tools & materials and integrating them into my projects all year

· Started this BLOG (even though I said I wasn’t a blogger!)

· …and as a thank you to my friends & family for supporting me, I hand-made over 200 holiday cards this year!

As you can see – it’s been a busy year.

Everyone always asks me how I find the time… and my answer is not anything fancy. I simply value what I’m doing, how it helps others, and find joy in the preparation and the implementation of each project. Not only am I slowly building a business, but it’s also a release for me and allows me to utilize important parts of my energy that otherwise get lost in my day to day responsibilities. When I work on these things and make time for creativity, it makes me a better person.

So in 2019 I’ve literally squeezed crafting into every nook & cranny of time I had, while maintaining my responsibilities to my family. That’s actually why I do this – because my family comes first, but I definitely have pockets of time when I CAN work and I CAN do something I love… AND I LOVE THIS BUSINESS!

So thanks for reading! I hope you will keep me in mind - so we can MAKE SOMETHING together in 2020!

Toodles,

Amy

After signing up for my newsletter and discussing a potential painting party, this customer decided to join in on photos my friend was taking of my booth! I mean, why not? Seriously, what's not to love about this business? My customers are so fun! (I hope she sees this)