A new artisan support group starting soon.

Hello Everyone,

Since moving to SLO I have met so many wonderful people!  A customer named Donna came in the store when I first started there.  She was talking with me about starting a support group for local artisans.  We each have knowledge we can share to help each other grow our businesses.  I thought it was great!  I was elected to lead this group...hhmmmm....not sure how that happened.  Hey, I'm up for it.  Can't wait to have our first meeting.

Also more news about my jewelry line.  I just picked up 2 more jewelry reps who want to rep my line.  Moving right along.  I sure can't wait until I am so busy making jewelry I need to hire help;)

I hope this finds everyone well,

Kathy

A place to call home.

Hi Everyone,

God is GREAT!!!
I am now a featured artist on http://www.crushcrushcouture.com/category/DE.html how exciting!
I also have a great place to call home.  I will be moving in this coming Monday. YIPPEE!!!!!
It's been one heck of a journey to say the least.

I was teaching a stringing class to a very nice older woman last week.  She stopped by the shop on Tuesday to see about a wire wrap class.  I mentioned to her I was looking for a 2 bedroom to rent.  She said she was staying at her son's house but was moving out.  Her son's very good friend shares the house because he's in the middle of a divorce.  So she spoke with her son to see if he would allow Alicia and I to move in.  He said yes and the best part is it's only $700 a month all utilities included.  The house is only 3 years old and in a great community.  There is a swimming pool and clubhouse too.  I couldn't believe it...I guess I should know by now that God has a plan and I should stop worrying so much.

The other good news is Alicia was just hired for a full time job working in a new restaurant.  Oh and she already has a boyfriend.  He is Jennifer's (my boss) son Caleb (29) and he's 6'6" tall.  They are 2 peas in pod;), 2 hippy kids...so cute.

I am so excited about starting my new life here.  Now it's time to hit all the boutiques to see if they would like to carry my jewelry line. There a ton of them in a 50 mile radius from San Luis Obispo.  Everything is going to be o.k. Thank you God!

I hope this finds everyone well,

Kathy

Getting ready...

Hi Everyone,

I am getting ready for my big "featured artist" reveal on www.crushcrushcouture.com.  I sent in all of my photos, descriptions and bio to Charli and now I can't wait to see how everything will come together.
I came across this very profound statement this evening and thought I would share it with you.  It is how I feel about my jewelry journey.


"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."

- Mahatma Gandhi

I would like to thank all of the people who stuck by me through these very trying times.  Especially God:)

Thanks so much,

Kath

More Angels...

So a bunch of new things are going on with me and my new life.

I had sent out several emails to bead stores in about a 200 mile radius of where I was living.  I heard back from a nice lady (Jennifer) who owns a bead store in San Luis Obispo, Ca.  We had several phone conversations and she asked if I could come up and stay a few days to see how things worked out between us.  Alicia and I went up and stayed at her and her husbands home for 4 days.  They were so welcoming and accommodating.  They even paid for a weekend class for me with a renowned wire working expert.  It was so fun to just sit and enjoy some time for me and to not have to think about my problems for a couple of days.  So after working with her for a couple of days, we both new it was a perfect fit.  She knew I knew what I was doing and that was a great comfort to her.  So she came up with a plan to get me up to SLO.  Her and husband have given us a place to stay at their home for a few weeks, and are paying our first months rent and deposits for our own place.  I was in tears when she told me the plan.  I just couldn't believe their kindness.  God is amazing!!!!!!!!  It still gets even better.  Alicia has had 5 interviews now in just the past 3 days.  She is super excited.
I have to go for now...will keep you updated.

XOXO,

Kath

A hand up by an angel named Charli....

Hello Everyone,

Things are definitely looking better with my merchant account and my jewelry journey.

I am now looking forward to working with a wonderful woman I met a few weeks ago.  She couldn't tell me much about her new website as it was a bit of a trade secret.  She did tell me it was like nothing I'd ever seen.  Well today I see what she means.  It is www.crushcrushcouture.com and the whole premise of the site is to look great and feel even better while giving part of all the proceeds back to your choice of charities on her site. With every purchase, she will donate 25% back to the charity you pick when you checkout.  How awesome!!!

I am proud to say I will definitely be a part of this website.  Thank you God for Charli, who is one of your angels.  No, not the kind that shoots you down, but the kind that gives you a hand up.  It just doesn't get better than that!

I will keep everyone informed when I am featured on her site.

Thanks,

Kathy

Playing the waiting game.

Hello Everyone,

What a gorgeous day we are having here in Santa Clarita, California!  It's in the 70's, sunshine with beautiful blue skies.
Now I am playing the waiting game.  I am happy to have such great success with my jewelry, but now I am in a stall pattern.  Waiting for the returns to show up on my customers credit cards which takes 5 to 7 business days. Once they are posted I can then go ahead and rerun their cards through my new merchant account which will post in my checking in 2 to 4 business days.  Hopefully by the beginning of the week I can rerun their cards.  I will accept any and all prayers;)
Ask anyone in my family who is the most impatient person.  They will say Kathleen and my dad.  I love the saying on my friend Nancie's fridge that says: God please give me patience....but I want it right now.  That's me in a nutshell.LOL
I hope this finds everyone well.

XOXO

Kath

My continued jewelry journey.

Hello Everyone,

Ok, so I am having a bit of a merchant account problem.  Come to find out just after charging all of my customers credit cards, I get audited.  Yes audited.  Apparently when you run a credit card over the allotted daily amount, the merchant people don't like that.  It has now been almost 2 weeks and I still don't have any money in my checking account.  I ended up changing to a more expensive well known merchant account and will hopefully have everything back to where it should be.  I am excited about this!  What a learning experience this has been.  I am glad it happened at the beginning of my new jewelry making career.  I guess you just have to work out all the bugs before everything comes together.
I can't wait to see how things progress with www.crushcrushcouture.com.  I am super excited!

I hope this finds everyone well.

XOXO

Kathy