• Exercise 3x week (0/143) to Establish an exercise habit – I think I can easily say I’ve gotten back on the wagon with this one…now I just need to make sure I only break it when I’m sick.
• Kickbox 1x week (0/143) to Grow my Kickboxing skills – We have a new instructor at the school who comes from a hardcore mixed martial arts background. Watching her, I clearly know I need more work on my skill. I’m up to the challenge.
• Clean my desk 1x month (3/36) to Declutter house. Seriously, every room in my house has some sort of clutter. From stacks of papers, to stacks of clothes to bags of recycling…I just can’t get away from it. I’m sure my mom taught me better, but clearly I need some help. So, I asked for a decluttering book (I throw a book at most issues when I need help) which I got for Christmas and am tackling this issue this year!
• Fold laundry 1x week (0/143) to Fold laundry 1x quarter – Because really, who wants to feel like a failure for not folding laundry every week? Yes, we really are that lazy.
• Write a blog post 1x week for A Pretty Rock to Establish a blogging schedule for A Pretty Rock – I think for the most part I’ve done a decent job of posting at least once a week last year (with a few exceptions here or there.) Now I think I need to set myself on a schedule instead of this feast or famine posting I have.
• Keep a daily one-sentence journal for a year (3/365) to Create a book from my Grateful 365 project. The one-sentence journal fell through. Don’t even remember why. I think my book will be more interesting to review later anyhow. It also falls right in line with “Learn how to handbind a book”. :)
• Apply to 5 high end shows 1x year (1/15) to Pay off A Pretty Rock debt. I don’t know how it happened…well, I DO know, but I refuse to live with debt in all aspects of my life. This particular one is the most manageable and possibly the easiest to attain quickly. And while shows are fun, they don’t really seem to be for me…or this year, they have not had the bang for the buck of previous years. Just not worth it, it seems.
• Start a cooking blog with a friend – I removed this completely in lieu of “Do something towards my goals every week”. I’m actually helping my friend setup a business venture and am very excited to do that with him. I would rather he concentrate on that than a recreational project. I’ve let him off the hook.

And while there are so many other things on the list that I’m just not sure about, I realize that for some, I don’t have replacement goals. I’m not ready to give them up until I know what I want to do in their place.

Have you reviewed your goals? Still maintaining your New Year’s resolutions? How are you doing at getting where you need to be?

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Hosted by the North Cobb Arts League, the Fifth Annual Art On The Lawn Festival is being held October 18 and 19, 2008 on the grounds of The Art Station – Big Shanty in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Joining me will be Myra Hopper from Myra Elizabeth Jewelry Designs.

What: 5th Annual Art on the Lawn Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2008
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (both days)
Location: The Art Station at Big Shanty
Address: 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 (map)
Phone: 770-514-5930
Website: www.ncart.org/tas

Stop by and say hi! We’d love to meet you.

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Just got my acceptance email…woohoo! Deadline is October 17th (after that, the fee goes up.) Visit their site if you’re interested in signing up. There’s still time!

Now let’s hope I get into ICE, too. That would rock!

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———-
Christmas in Central Park

Saturday, November 17th
10:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday, November 17th
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Forsyth County Central Park Recreation Center
2300 Keith Bridge Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 781-2215
Get Directions

Christmas Shopping and Live Entertainment!
Exhibitors will have unique handmade arts and crafts for sale including pottery, candles, pet gifts, soaps, belts, jewelry, hot glass, stained glass, paintings, photography, Christmas handbags, turned and carved wooden bowls, fabric folk art dolls, crocheted items and much more!

Children’s Activities
Kids will enjoy Spin Art, Face Painting and Wayne’s Train, “The Dahlonega Express”

Lighting of the Tree
5:30pm with music by Silver City Elementary Chorus and Joyful Sound

Photos with Santa
Capture your child’s visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. $10.00 sitting fee, you can select one of 4 photo package choices.

Sugar Plum Cafe
Concessions will be provided by Country Gourmet

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You may not think it, but getting ready for a show is a big job! It’s not as simple as bringing your stock and saying”Here I am!” (If only!) While I can setup by myself, it does take some careful planning on my part along with a checklist to make sure I haven’t misplaced anything I might find of use during the show.

For me, that list consists of:

• tape
• table cloths
• tables
• mirrors
• nameplate frame (describes what I do)
• cell phone (to process credit card orders during down times)
• 2 chairs (in case a friend stops by)
• pens
• sales book
• business cards
• displays
• easy cleanup snacks (because when you’re alone you never know how long until your next break)
• water
• scissors
• supplies and tools (to make new items and pass the time)
• small dinner table (to use as a working area)

And that’s only if it’s an indoor show!

That may seem like a lot, but I can fit all of that in a small collapsible rolling file folder carrier (got mine at Office Depot for $9 during Christmas) and a rolling luggage bag. Generally works well enough that I only have to make 3 trips to the car: 1 for each of the tables and then everything else.

Now, you’re probably wondering, since many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited edition, how do I handle having the Etsy or here at my site. Originally on Etsy, I used to pull down all my items and leave them in edit mode so that no one could make any purchases. I also put a note in my store header and my informational email.

As it turns out, I never had any issues with anyone buying anything online during a show. However, I’ve also made a disclaimer in my policies section about craft shows and under my profile on the Etsy site. I do make all efforts to recreate items if I can and if I cannot, I offer a new piece or refund the money. Customer’s choice, as always.

So, that’s what I bring to a show. If you’re interested in seeing how others get ready, check out Alicia Mae’s blog next week to see a post on what others do to prepare for a show.

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If you’re looking for the best in independent artistry and crafting, look no further th an the 5th Indie Craft Experience happening this weekend in Atlanta’s Centennial Park.

While I’ve never been to the show, I hear it is a great venue. So this year I’m checking it out to see if I should make the effort to apply next year. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Later in the day, Jason (my husband), stopped by with the dog after he got off of work. I think the best part of the day was watching the kids from next door come into our tent wanting to pet Snickers. Here’s a picture of the cuties sitting under our tent having a snack:

On the other side of me, I had some fellow crafters that I seem to run the local circuit with. I wish I could remember their shop name and I didn’t pick up their business cards. However, they are always so great and friendly:

They sell decorated ceramic items. Joan (on the right) fires the ceramics and Carla (on the left) paints and decorates them.

And the only bad thing about the day? I have to return my tent. Jason and I pulled it out on Thursday to make sure I knew how to set it up. It seems that when we put it back, one of the spring locks was broken. So on Saturday morning when I was setting it back up, we noticed the problem. Sigh. I dislike returning things, but I’m just grateful there wasn’t any rain to weigh down on the top of the tent. With the little wind we had, the tent was starting to come down in just that one section, so I *know* I need a new tent for sure. Whew!

With that all behind me, start looking for new items this week!

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* Lots of sun (Got to get my vitamin D!)
* Lots of air (Oxygen is good for you.)
* Usually larger crowds than indoor shows (Means more potential sales!)

Then there’s the bad points:

* Lots of sun (I could seriously fry myself out there…or worse, get soaking wet!)
* Lots of air (Smoking is bad, mmm’kay?)
* Usually larger crowds than indoor shows (Means I have to keep an eye on my stock more than usual.)

As you can see, it’s always been a tough decision for me. However, this particular show is the sister event of the show I most enjoy during the holidays. I really like the lady who is in charge of the show for the county and they always have tons of people around to help take care of the vendors. Really the best show out there out of all the ones I do and I expect no less from this show.

So, I’ve been trying to get ready. Last week’s small show gave me a good visual of the fact that I don’t have a lot of stock like I did last year, so I’ve been trying to make a few new pieces this week to add to the collection.

Oh, and I also made one of my first big outdoor show purchases…a tent! It’s not white, so if I end up doing a show that requires a white tent, I’ll have to shell out the money, however, I believe this tent will serve it’s purpose well. If you want a quick visual, here is a similar picture of a tent – mine doesn’t have stripes on the legs:

What do you think?

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However, it did open up an opportunity for me that I might follow up on. The costs are big, but if it ends up being the catalyst I need to get me more exposure locally, it would turn out to be a very great thing! We’ll see. :)

In the meantime, I’ve posted my next three shows under the Events section of the website. Stop by and say hi if you’re in the area.

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I have tons of stuff to do with all the goodies I picked up, so this post will just be a quick note to let you know that I have a show in 2 days!

Make sure to stop by the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and visit me at Creative Cause! Tickets are $15 online/ $20 at the door or you can get the V.I.P ticket at only $35!

So what does a ticket get you?…
* 6 hours of nothing but shopping!
* Beautiful and spacious Centennial Ballroom for awesome design & artistry shopping!
* 30+ chic designers, vendors & artists!
* Hourly raffles (Starbucks Coffee, Chow Baby & more)
* C.B. Herrera Designs exclusive give-away
* First hand networking with sassy biz owners & artists
* Designer/vendor goody bag give-away
* Raffle for 1 night stay at The Atlanta Marriott Downtown!
* Raffle for one free 6-month membership @ World Gym in Vinings!
* Raffle for 2 free hours of Pro golf lessons @ East Lake Golf Course!
* Lots of other raffles!
* Chocolate Fondue Fountain and snacks
* Music and grooves provided by SonnyNite Music

So make sure you stop by and say Hi! I would love to see you there. :)

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While this is a wonderful problem to have, I do have one more show left that I had not advertised. The show is this Saturday at River Colony Subdivision from 9am to 2pm. You should definitely come out so that you can get in on all the goodies. They plan on having door prize drawings and many discounted items.

However, I’m outside for this one AND I finally had to buy a table, so come on out and see me so that I can count this as a successful show!

After this last show, I will start putting the handbags on the site as well. (No, I don’t make the handbags, but they are so fabulously cute that I had to start selling them!) I’m sure that plenty would agree once you see them. :)

Well, I must be off…I still have an upcoming newsletter for December with my free monthly giveaway for all newsletter subscribers. Currently, there is a whooping total of 20 mailing list subscribers, so get in on mailing list the action while the gettin’ is good!

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