The Business Balancing Act

Wow! I think I am still recovering from watching the Olympics. My heart rate hasn't gone down yet. It was so exciting. Yesterday I sat down to check the damage to my business and realized that I had done a lot pretty good work while watching the Games. The only problem was that I hadn't photographed, costed, written a description for, or posted anything in that time.

I spent the evening doing paperwork and realized that creativity and paperwork don't go together too well. Finding the right balance between designing the product and selling it is difficult at best. I want to sell at shows so I need to make enough to take with me. However, I become so engrossed in creating that I forget to book the craft shows.

I do have a system for costing what I make and always keep index cards near me to make notes of quantities, costs, and where I bought the materials. I keep a spreadsheet of what product I have on hand and the quantities to help me keep track of everything; but at the end of the day, the pull to sit with my materials and tools and create is somethimes strong enough to lure me away from paperwork.

Without the paperwork you don't know if your business is making a profit or not. It is as essential as the creating. Finding the balance between the two sides of the business is key to success. I discovered while doing my costing that I was paying to much for materials, which was going to eat into my profits when I sold the pieces. The increase in price had cropped on me without my noticing. I will need to find a new supplier for some of my basic materials and tools. More paperwork coming my way, but it will be profitable.

It will definately feel, at times, that the business side of the business is taking over. In time, with practice, it becomes easier. You will be more able to write copy to describe your product for posting on the web, you will create a spreadsheet formula for costing, you will be able to, take, manipulate, and manage photographs for web posting, and you will be able to do all this in less time that it is taking now. Your business cards will be designed and printed (never to be done again for another two years or so). You will create the perfect brochure or post card for the craft shows which will be printed in enough quantities that you won't run out until October.

I find now that I have done everything once, it is not so overwhelming and I know how long it will take me to get the job done. I schedule some of these unpleasant tasks during the evenings when the natural light is gone and there isn't much time between dinner, dishes, and bed. I like to leave my weekends free to create. I am finding that I don't mind the tasks so much anymore, now that they have a place.

I have only managed to post a few item to my website that I have made over the last little while. I particularly like this piece for its earth tones without being too somber. The round beads are picture jasper which I am trying to find more of at this size. A lot of semi precious stones are beautiful and glossy with swirls and marks but as my niece pointed out, these little beads look like rocks. Maybe that is why I like the bracelet so much, it's character comes from the nature of the stones not the design.

Until next time,

CraftyLadyLiz