Better late then never right?! Well anyways here is a recap of my No Craft Supply Spend July just a little bit late...
So No Craft Supply Spend July didn't go perfectly, but to be fair I only cracked twice. Here is what happened the first time: I bought washi tape on the 5th. I had done so well prior to that, going to Michael's and not spending any money. I cracked at Marshall's right at the register when I spotted washi tape out the corner of my eye. I couldn't pass up the bargain it was to buy it. I mean a whole tube of washi tape for $3.99, I would have been crazy not to buy it. The second time: I cracked at a bead store in Rockport, MA. I had never been to this bead store, and couldn't pass up the beads they had. I didn't spend a lot of money which is good, but I still did spend money. So all in all I didn't do horribly. It could have been a lot worse, and it was way less than I would normally spend on craft supplies in one month. I also realized that if I decide to do it again next year, to not do it in July, because all of the chain craft stores have wicked good sales. So now that it is August, I have ordered some stuff craft supply wise. I mean I do have a show to get ready for in just over a month!
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Happy July everyone! I can't believe 2014 is halfway over!
I decided from now on in 2014, I will set at least one monthly goal. July's goal is a No Spend challenge, specifically on craft supplies! It's no secret I love shopping. I have not only shown pictures of everything I have bought, but also how often I go shopping (for the most part). So I have decided that for the month of July I will not spend any money on craft supplies. I am doing this to force myself to use what I have first, because I have more than enough projects to get me through a month at least! If I feel so good about it I may extend it to August too. I've seen this on other blogs where people don't spend any money at all on like anything, like going out to dinner, drinks etc. I catered it to myself, knowing how much I spend on supplies a month, how much I can save if I don't spend it. I can then put that money towards a down payment on a house or a vacation. The only exception to this is if I got an order for something that I can't fill with my current stock. Orders do have to take priority. But I will not use it as an excuse to buy extra or sneak in a trip to Michaels/Joanns/any other fabric store near me/any internet website, aka any type of craft supply place in the world. Better late than never right? Here is my recap of Art on the Green 2014! I've said this before in previous posts (when I was still on blogspot), but one thing about shows that I love is the positive feedback. Even if someone doesn't buy something, just getting the positive feedback means a lot to me. It's funny that prior to show I always think I don't have enough inventory. But as soon as I display it for a show, I realize that I have plenty of inventory. My largest stock of inventory is definitely earrings. I really love making earrings, but now it is to the extent of I need to find a way to display them all. That is my project until my next show in September (more info to come!). As promised here is the preview of the new designs, and some new versions of old favorites! They will be available at Art on the Green Saturday June 14th from 10-4.
Can't attend the show but see something you like, let me know! I have been officially accepted to the Art on the Green at Pinehills this summer! It will be my sixth time doing the show. The show is on June 14th, from 10-4 at the Pinehills in Plymouth MA. I would love it if you would come and support! I have a lot of jewelry ready to find new homes! Plus it's my mom's birthday that day, so you will help me take her out to a nice dinner!!
Here is what my booth looked like last year (as KMS Jewels and Designs) I have big dreams, goals for my life. They involve both my jewelry, but also my nursing career as well. One of those goals include buying a house. A goal that will both require work from both my nursing job and my business. I have been working hard to save up money so that I can afford to buy a house. I want a house, besides the equity portion (yay adult life), but also so I can have 24 hour/ 7 days a week access to my jewelry studio. My studio is currently split between my apartment (where I do beading, wire wrapping, knotting etc) and my parent's house (where I do my soldering, hammering, rolling, and drilling). Not that I don't mind coming home to make jewelry, I just wish I had more time to get stuff done. Pinterest (yes I am obsessed, 13,000 pins and counting), has been helping me to plan out what I want my studio to look like, as well as ideas for the rest of my future house. Follow me on Pinterest (link is in the upper right corner of the page), to see what has been inspiring me lately.
_ While this goal is a big one, breaking it down into smaller steps while keeping the big picture in mind helps me stay focused on the WHY, by working on the HOW. I am a big fan of to do lists.
So while it may not happen right away, I know that a house is in my future, and I am going to work really hard so that I can obtain this goal. I also want to go to Greece soon, but that's a whole other goal in itself! If you couldn't tell by my last post, I love to shop. The pictures below have been from internet purchases of mine (multiple ETSY shops and the Beadinpath). I have been planning out projects using all of these new supplies, some more simple than others. The stamps will be used to make tags for my earrings and the washi tape will be for cards and scrapbooking projects. And the beads will be used for jewelry of course! Winter for me is a great time to stock up on supplies because it gives me time to create with them before the Summer, plus I really like buying bright colored beads to cheer me up! I am still calling it winter because it is still freezing out! I am so done with the cold weather, Spring can you hurry up and bring the warm weather please!
Now you are probably thinking, no posts really for a month, I must have been making lots of new stuff to show here, but unfortunately I haven't had as much time as I have wanted to make jewelry. I have been working a lot at my nursing job (which I absolutely love), but I do have projects in the works and will be showing them here soon. And then there is Michaels. And they always have sales, and usually I find something that I need. Between the amounts of washi tape and yarn I have bought, I have enough to last me awhile, but I still want to buy more! What's pictured below is not the only yarn I have bought..ooops.
I am absolutely in love with my new business cards. I have had many styles of cards in the past, but none of them really fit me. I wanted something unique, and preferably hand-done. A friend, and super talented artist/.fellow vintage lover, was my choice to help me create my new cards. Amy of Stony Brook Design, my mom (because I value her opinion and artistic eye) and I worked on the design one night, and I finally decided to print them. It came at a perfect time really because Vistaprint was having a sale, so I got a bunch of cards for a very good price! I am very excited to start handing these cards out!
This past weekend I had a little weekend getaway to Boston. I was in town celebrating a friend's birthday, but I was not going to pass up the opportunity to go shopping! Even a snowstorm couldn't stop me :) There are so many cute stores in Boston, especially in terms of crafty stores! Some of my favorites include Paper Source, Rug Road, and Black Ink. |
Kate Simpson Designs is all about supporting handmade art. I share insider peeks at the design process, inspirations for a happy life, and embracing creativity.
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