Happy Birthday Sarah Jane.

No, it isn't my birthday....it is Sarah Jane Studios 1 year anniversary!! WOW! I still can't believe the shop has been going for an entire year! And what an amazing journey it has been the past 365 days! I truly believe that what you feel most comfortable doing as a child, you will find yourself doing as an adult...or wish you were doing, which if that is the case listen to your inner wishes! That is what I did. If you asked me when I was 7 what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was to be an artist and a mom, and maybe even have a shop. And presto: 22 years later, that is what I am doing! No...It hasn't been easy...but it has been SO rewarding on so many levels!

So, the actual anniversary of my shop opening was on Oct. 4 (but I have been sick as well as husbandless the past several days which means ZERO mommy time) But we can't have a birthday without a celebration!!! I just feel so grateful for the past year...the friends I have met, the support you have given...it is truly overwhelming sometimes. Thank you!!

This year's present...in honor of the 12 months that have transpired...I am giving away 4 of my new calendars from my "month by month" series.! Yes, they are finally completed! I think you will just love them. These calendars are really more like a piece of art for your wall, with a few numbers that happen to be on the bottom. Just darling!

They will be in the shop by tonight for only $24. They will make the perfect gift, or mini art peice for that empty wall next to your phone or desk. Each page measures 8.5x5.5 inches and is completed with green grosgrain ribbon perfect for hanging!

But for you, my dear friends: A free gift from me!

To win a calendar, all you need to do is:

• enter a comment below with a suggestion for something you would like to see in my shop for next year
• Your name and a way to contact you (email, or blog link)
• Comments will be closed on Oct 10th at Midnight EST
• Check back on October 11th at to see the 4 lucky winners!

Thank you so much for all your support over this past year! I have loved getting to know you, and if I haven't met you yet, pop in and say hello! I am nice...I promise:) In the mean time...Happy commenting!

Handmade Christmas.

I know. It is only October. But last year I PROMISED myself (after many sleepless nights) that I would do Christmas in September. Um....September, what happened to you? You could have warned me you were going to be in an out in a flash (how rude!) October is now all I have before the made rush of activities, baking, visiting, (packing and shipping) and of course...ENJOYING THE SEASON!!

So, in my efforts to really be PREPARED for the holidays, I made myself a little ELF to remind me that October will no doubt rush as fast as September did! And, I am determined to make a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS this year. That is right. No last minute stops to Best Buy, or surfing AMAZON. We are making and giving from our hands this year (and hearts) or supporting handmade from our dearest friends. And in order to do that, I really must get started today!

This little ELF friend of mine (doesn't he have the greatest hat?) will be soon available as a set of cards to let your family and friends know that you spent time (not money) on your Christmas gifts this year! I should have these in the shop soon, but I want to get them perfectly ready just for you...I am adding in a few little extras! So, Merry Christmas...Think Handmade...Happy making!

Mischief Managed.

Dear Ian,

I think that God made you absolutely beautiful for a reason. Like yesterday when you sneaked an entire bag of baking flour into your crib and ate it until you fell asleep leaving "dough" clumps all over you and your bedding...or this morning when you managed to find the same sack of flour again and dump it all out onto the floor and freshly cleaned laundry...or later today when you decided to play "cat" and dumped the entire box of Grape Nuts all over mommy's bed and pretended it was cat food and I found you licking it up and spreading it all over the room with your 'paws' ... all I could do was notice how incredibly scrumptious you are. Why do little boys get away with so much? Because they are so much more darling than they are mischievous! Next time, please just give me a little warning when you are feeling extra clever...it would have been nice to have an empty vacuum!

Love,

Mama

The Art of Business.

I never intended to go a week without posting. It just happened. Thanks for checking in while I was out.

This past friday I spent the entire day with really talented, and creative people. Women entreprenuers (most who are in the 'start-up' phase) all gathered for this fabulous Start Up Princess event called TOUCHPOINT in Salt Lake City, UT. It was wonderful to be so enlightened and educated in an environment that was focused on WOMEN in business. Cause let's be honest...girls are a whole lot different than guys in this field:) I met so many great people with GREAT ideas and GREAT businesses. I met Jodi with Baby Bambu, Rebecca with Cap trappers, Chantelle with Zoom concierge services, I met the talented Ashely from Isabella's umbrella. I met Kelly who markets her husband's art just to name a few.

After this meeting, I felt motivated to discus in my blog some more of the "business" aspects of what I do...not because I have oodles of knowledge, but I find that there are so many 'unspoken' and 'behind the scenes' with how to start a business selling your craft. And from the readership I know about, I know a lot of you have ETSY shops, or want to get started with something similar.

And if I learned anything from the all day conference on Friday, it is networking and connecting is that greatest way to learn! In the beginning, when I was starting my ETSY shop, I would email people doing what I wanted to do, and what I thought was 'harmless' info that I needed, was almost like held secrets for others. I am of the philosophy that there is enough success to go around in this world. So, why not share and support each other in the mean time? I felt so supported from the other women on Friday who seem to be facing similar problems and who have similar motivations and goals.

So, I am adding a new section to my blog called "A bit of biz." And that is what they will be. Bits. Cause that is all I know right now. Just bits. But, so far they work for me, so I thought I would share:)

A bit of biz: the elevator pitch.

Ok. So, I am a new fan of elevator pitches.

Elevator what?

Ya. I thought that too.

With this event in Salt Lake City, I knew there was going to be an elevator pitch competion with prizes $2000 in products and services, so I decided to figure out what was so great about it.

Google is my friend, and I learned very quickly that:

An elevator pitch (or elevator speech) is an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (for example, thirty seconds or 100-150 words). (from Wikipedia).

Why was this appealing to me? Because I had no idea how to sum up my product (without any visuals) in such a short amount of time, and I knew that if I knew how to, I would be a lot more successful at getting other people to believe in or be interested in supporting my business.

An elevator pitch is typically presented to a panel of investors who would be lending you money to start or further your business. So numbers and stats are a big part of the presentation as well. All of which I needed to know for myself anyways.

So, I wrote. I revised. I sent it to my Dad. I wrote some more. And then I hacked chopped cut and erased.

And, well....I won.

You can read about here. Not the best photo of me, but well, I was rather unaware that someone was taking picture because I was in complete shock that I won! It was a HUGE leap out of my comfort zone to present in front of a panel of judges as well as a large audience of business owners. But, getting out of your comfort zone is just what you need to build strength and confidence, and that was my main motivation. It wasn't fun, but it was worth it!

But even if you aren't going to pitch to investors, you NEED to know what you are about clearly and concisely. I didn't realize how hard that was till I got started on this.

Here is what you need to answer:

1. What is your product or service?
2. Who is your market?
3. What is your revenue model? (how do you plan on making a profit)
4. Who is behind the company?
5. Who is your competition?
6. What is your competitive advantage?

Asking yourself these questions and writing them down will reveal so much to you. Especially when you put it in the context of someone challenging you. What DO you sell? Does it have a CLEAR branding? Who is your competition? How are you different? What is your plan to succeed in a competitive market?

All these questions I really wasn't that excited to answer. I mean, "I am an artist, right? I just really like to draw!" Well, if you plan on making any profit from your hobby, you REALLY need to answer these questions. And believe me. It is harder than it looks. But, when you do, you will have a clearer vision of how to succeed with what you really love to create. Have fun!

Happy Birthday.

Dear Mr. Incredible,

Today is your birthday. The big THREE-ZERO. I remember the first birthday I got to spend with you. I actually didn't know it was your birthday...we were just well aquainted class mates at the time, and you were to modest to tell all that you were turning 19. I felt terrible I didn't know. Well, after 11 birthdays spent with you, you still are too modest to tell anyone. So, I will do it for you. Happy Birthday my love. How did I get so lucky to marry Mr. Incredible? I still can't figure it out...so let's just eat cake. I love you!

xoxo

yours truly

What a lovely afternoon for updating the shop.

They are here! Another bookplate (which I wish you could see in person...they are DARLING!) and 2 more cards for the shop: "I love my sister" and "I love my brother."

I also have both of these prints for sale together as a set like the other elephant and giraffe set. So fun! Oh...and there is more coming soon! I am signing off to get back to work! xoxo sarah jane

This is the way we work at our house.

This is how I clean my house:

I turn on the water in the kitchen sink.

Me: (in my staged-panicky voice):

"Oh no! Would you just look at this messy sink! What ever shall we do!"

Addie:"Oh!!! Mommy!! I want to do the dishes!!"

Ian: "Ditheth, Ditheth!"

Good to go. Chairs at the sink, and they will last 1/2 hour while I vacuum, fold laundry, clean counters, etc. Granted, there is a river to clean up after wards (a soapy river), but I have a clean house!

This is how I make dinner:

Me (in my overly-distressed voice):

"Oh no!! Dad is going to be home soon, and we have got to make dinner fast!"

Addie: " I want to make dinner!"

Ian: "Make dough!"

Great! Chairs at the counter, I hand them any thing I can find. The other night it was lime rinds, hot pink sugar cookie sparkles, frozen peas and salt. Mmmmmmmm. I can work at the stove without little fingers getting dangerously in the way, and It makes my cooking look REALLY good:)