Plushroom Soup

May Goals and April Recap

  
Hello, May! I'm happy to report that the energy and creativity I was feeling in April is so far continuing into this month. I just wish I had more hours each week to devote to crafting! 

Let's see how all my extra creative juices translated into accomplishing business goals last month:

1. Make and ship at least 6 items to Kooky by mid-month. Status: Complete.
   I actually sent 10 items (below), one of which has already sold. Yay!
   
2. Finish raffle donation for fellow FAE teamer's Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk fundraiser. Status: Complete.
   There's still time to get your raffle ticket! Please visit the link above to participate. You could win my Wings of Hope owlet, among many other fantastic artworks.
3. Complete my first Plush Team challenge (due April 11). Status: Complete.
   I decided to submit my kelpie. He sure had some stiff competition! Check out all the entrants and the fabulous winner over at the Plush Team blog.
4. Share my first print interview with all of you. Status: Complete.
   In case you missed it, I was honored to be interviewed for the April issue of Get Creative Magazine.
5. Add at least 2 new items to the Etsy shop. Status: Complete.
   I even exceeded my goal by 300 percent! Yay!
6. Clean my craft room! Status: Incomplete.
   Are you surprised? When will I ever get this done? I'm a bit embarrassed by how long this item has been on my list, but apparently not embarrassed enough to actually cross this item off. . . .
   
   Total Accomplished: 5 /6. Not bad! Not bad at all. I think this is my second-best month ever.

So, what will May look like?

1. Send at least 6 items for Plush Team's Maker Faire booth (due May 15).
   The Plush Team has a booth at the Bay Area Maker Faire this year. I am sadly unable to attend, but any member can send as much stuff as they want to sell during the event. I have high hopes for my little guys! If you live near San Mateo, I highly encourage you to attend!
2. Complete 2 custom orders: a mini blue cotton candy yeti and a red owl (yes, this is yours, Yates!).
3. List at least 2 new items in the Etsy shop.
4. Make another dragon.
   These guys are time consuming! But I really enjoy making them, and I have lots of fun color combinations planned.
5. Make a fun variation on my bigfoot that a conversation with the FAE Team inspired.
   One of the many great things about belonging to Etsy street teams is the conversations with like-minded artists. So many great ideas have been flowing lately thanks to these conversations, and I'm really excited about the latest inspiration.
6. Aaaaand, of course, the perennial clean-my-freaking-craft-room-already goal. I know, I know, you're not holding your breath. 

A very happy and productive month to you all!

April Goals

Happy Spring! So, yeah, I kind of didn't post any goals last month, and I only accomplished one of February's goals. Whoops! But I'm taking a cue from Mother Nature and declaring a fresh start!

April is only a few days in, but I'm already feeling really good about my business this month and all the opportunities in store. Taxes are done (no refund—boo!), I've already had three shop sales (that might be a springtime record for me), I have a new retail partner, I'm officially a member of the Plush Team Etsy street team (double yay!), and I'm feeling very creative and ready to tackle anything.

So, what else do I hope to accomplish this month?

1. Make and ship at least 6 items to Kooky by mid-month.
   Plushroom Soup is branching out again! My newest retail partner is Kooky, on Chicago's bustling Michigan Avenue.
2. Finish raffle donation for fellow FAE teamer's Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk fundraiser.
3. Complete my first Plush Team challenge (due April 11).
   The Plush Team hosts monthly themed challenges. This month's theme is world mythology, which is right up my alley! I'm working on a dragon. If I don't finish her in time, I suppose I could always submit my kelpie or chimera (or even a yeti), which are already in the shop.
4. Share my first print interview with all of you.
   My first ever magazine interview comes out this month! It's not a US magazine, so I'm still trying to get my hands on a copy so that I can not only see it for myself, but share it with all of you!
5. Add at least 2 new items to the Etsy shop.
6. Clean my craft room!
   No better time than spring for a thorough cleaning, right? 

Whew! I've got a lot to do this month, so I better get crackin'!

February Goals and January Recap

Okay, so I seem to be having some trouble posting my goals within the first week of each month. Perhaps I should make that a standing goal for the rest of the year!

Let's recap January:

1. Turn in answers to interview questions. Status: Complete.
   Sorry, still don't want to spill the beans on this one yet. Only a few more months to wait!
2. Update the Etsy shop with at least 2 new items. More would be ideal. Status: Super complete!
   I actually listed 14 new items in January. I went on a frog and owl making binge, and managed to list most of them in the shop. Yay me!
3. Make 3 examples of my best work to submit to the MN Textile Center. Status: Abandoned/replaced.
   I fully intended to do this this year, but as the deadline drew closer, it just didn't feel right. The Textile Center is a great place, but I don't think my stuff is quite right for their shop, and I'm trying to improve my "targeting," so to speak. So, instead, I sent off two more retail shop inquiries.
4. Clean up my craft room! I'm not even going to commit to the blogging part for this month. Just getting it clean will be a big enough accomplishment. Status: Incomplete.
   Again. It's close, still, but not close enough for showing off.
   
   Total Accomplished: 3 / 4 (yes, I am totally counting my replaced goal).

Here's what I hope to accomplish in February:

1. Submit a plushie for the Foot in the Door exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
   Every ten years, the MIA opens its doors to all Minnesota artists. The only rule is that your piece must measure less than one cubic foot. I submitted the zombie yeti you see above.
2. Sketch out two new critter designs and post on blog.
3. Fulfill I Like You's request for more horses, frogs, and squirrels. Specifically, make at least 2 of each.
4. Complete at least 50% of my submission for the Schmancy Olympic Challenge (due March 16).

What about cleaning my craft room? I do hope to accomplish this goal soon, but I hesitate to add this for February as I've already got quite a full plate.

I wish everyone lots of luck this short(ish) month!

Okay, so I seem to be having some trouble posting my goals within the first week of each month. Perhaps I should make that a standing goal for the rest of the year!

Let's recap January:

1. Turn in answers to interview questions. Status: Complete.
   Sorry, still don't want to spill the beans on this one yet. Only a few more months to wait!
2. Update the Etsy shop with at least 2 new items. More would be ideal. Status: Super complete!
   I actually listed 14 new items in January. I went on a frog and owl making binge, and managed to list most of them in the shop. Yay me!
3. Make 3 examples of my best work to submit to the MN Textile Center. Status: Abandoned/replaced.
   I fully intended to do this this year, but as the deadline drew closer, it just didn't feel right. The Textile Center is a great place, but I don't think my stuff is quite right for their shop, and I'm trying to improve my "targeting," so to speak. So, instead, I sent off two more retail shop inquiries.
4. Clean up my craft room! I'm not even going to commit to the blogging part for this month. Just getting it clean will be a big enough accomplishment. Status: Incomplete.
   Again. It's close, still, but not close enough for showing off.
   
   Total Accomplished: 3 / 4 (yes, I am totally counting my replaced goal).

Here's what I hope to accomplish in February:

1. Submit a plushie for the Foot in the Door exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
   Every ten years, the MIA opens its doors to all Minnesota artists. The only rule is that your piece must measure less than one cubic foot. I submitted the zombie yeti you see above.
2. Sketch out two new critter designs and post on blog.
3. Fulfill I Like You's request for more horses, frogs, and squirrels. Specifically, make at least 2 of each.
4. Complete at least 50% of my submission for the Schmancy Olympic Challenge (due March 16).

What about cleaning my craft room? I do hope to accomplish this goal soon, but I hesitate to add this for February as I've already got quite a full plate.

I wish everyone lots of luck this short(ish) month!

Better Late Than Never: January Goals

Whew! The end of 2009 was quite the whirlwind. After No Coast, I unintentionally took a whole month off from Plushroom Soup. Not okay! But I clearly needed it. As mentioned in my New Year's post, I will be working on balance for all of 2010 so I don't take anymore last-minute binge breaks from the business.

And, despite the month off, I did pretty well with my December goals. Let's recap:

1. Kick butt at No Coast. Specifically, I hope to sell at least half of my inventory, and make some new connections with sponsors/vendors I haven't chatted up in past years. Status: complete.
   I sold 52% of my inventory to be exact, and I feel really good about that. I'd say it was the second best No Coast ever. I met so many wonderful new people, and everyone was SO excited about my zombies and yeti ornaments; both completely sold out! So, a huge thank you to all of you who came out to support me and all the other fantastic vendors!
2. Complete all my custom Christmas orders. I received 6 custom order requests before November was even over, so I don't think I'll be accepting any more Christmas customs at No Coast this year. Status: complete.
   The zombie squirrel below is one of them.
3. Clean up my craft room again, organize shelves, take pictures, and blog it. Status: incomplete.
   Severely so. I'm afraid No Coast prep came through my room like a tornado.
4. Send out at least 2 more inquiry emails to retail stores/art gallery boutiques. (If any of you know of an awesome store/gallery in your city that I should contact, please let me know!) Status: complete.
   
   Total Accomplished: 3 / 4. 

What's in store for January?

1. Turn in answers to interview questions.
   I was asked to do an interview about Plushroom Soup, crafting, and the creative process for an international magazine! This will be my very first magazine interview, and I am so excited about it. The issue will be coming out in April. I don't want to spoil any surprises, so I won't mention the magazine title until then. Sorry!
2. Update the Etsy shop with at least 2 new items. More would be ideal.
3. Make 3 examples of my best work to submit to the MN Textile Center. Deadline: January 28-30.
   The shop at the textile center accepts new pieces only once per year, through a juried submission process where artists drop off up to 3 samples in person during a specific timeframe. I was out of town during the particular weekend last year and was super bummed to miss the opportunity. This year I'll be ready!
4. Clean up my craft room! I'm not even going to commit to the blogging part for this month. Just getting it clean will be a big enough accomplishment.

I feel a little guilty about some of these since they're already done, but an accomplishment is an accomplishment, right? I'd like this list to be longer (so much to do!), but I know my limits much better than I did when I first starting participating in the Goal Meetup.

Speaking of which, if you're new to the meetup, it is now being hosted by the lovely Liz over at Athena Dreams Designs so Jena can focus her energies on her new shop, Miss Modish, and the Modish blog. Many thanks to Jena for starting this wonderful group, and to Liz for keeping us going!

November Goal Recap and December Goals

I don't know about you, but November flew by for me! My month kind of got derailed by my acceptance into the No Coast Craft-o-Rama; this will be my fourth year at this awesome event! So let's see how I did on last month's goals:

1. Finish and ship my pieces for the Go Ask Alice show. Status: Complete.
   I wasn't entirely happy with my Queen of Hearts piece, but I loved my Tweedles. I'd never made anything remotely human before, and I'm kind of excited to try it again!
2. Send out at least 2 more inquiry emails to retail stores/art gallery boutiques. (If any of you know of an awesome store/gallery in your city that I should contact, please let me know!) Status: Complete.
   No response from either yet, but at least I'm getting my contact info out there. I identified a few more boutiques I can send inquiries to after the holidays as well.
3. Finish organizing my fabric shelves, take pictures of the craft room, and blog about the process. Status: incomplete.
   In fact, I'll likely have to start all over again later this month as I've been sewing like a madwoman and have made my craft room pretty messy again. Ah well. At least I'm creating!
   
   Total Accomplished: 2 / 3. Not bad! 

Last month I also managed to make 26 plushies (that's got to be a record for me!), create price tags for my No Coast items, create other signage for my booth, buy a new booth display, and open a merchant account that will enable me to accept credit cards at my booth. 

I'm feeling really overwhelmed about December at the moment because No Coast is only 2 days away and I still have so much to do, so I'm once again keeping my goals simple.

1. Kick butt at No Coast. Specifically, I hope to sell at least half of my inventory, and make some new connections with sponsors/vendors I haven't chatted up in past years.
2. Complete all my custom Christmas orders. I received 6 custom order requests before November was even over, so I don't think I'll be accepting any more Christmas customs at No Coast this year.
3. Clean up my craft room again, organize shelves, take pictures, and blog it.
4. Send out at least 2 more inquiry emails to retail stores/art gallery boutiques. (If any of you know of an awesome store/gallery in your city that I should contact, please let me know!)

October Goal Recap and November Goals

(image: Modish Biz Tips)

Happy November, everyone! I had an awesome October. I apologize upfront that this post is not only rather lengthy, but rather boastful as well. But hopefully not in a bad way; I just want to really celebrate my successes this month after a summer spent feeling kind of down about my business.

So, here's how I fared on my October goals:

1. Organize my fabric shelves. Status: Almost complete.
   I have only one shelf to go. Sadly, I saved the worst for last. But: one shelf! I can do it!
   1B. When done, photograph my room in pristine condition and share online. Status: Incomplete.
   For obvious reasons.
   
2. Make at least 6 plushies. Status: Doubly complete!
   I made 12 plushies this month. 12 (and 3 more are cut out)! That's probably a record for a month in which I wasn't preparing for No Coast (still sad/angry. Deep breaths, move on). Two of these plushies have landed in my Etsy shop, two more will be added this weekend. Where did the rest go? Read on. . . .
   
3. Approach 2 new shops about carrying my work. Status: Doubly complete!
   I sent 4 inquiry emails. Within 24 hours, one of the shops replied with a definite yes! (Still waiting to hear from the others.) That pretty much made my month. Wholly Craft in Columbus, Ohio, is now carrying some of my frogs, owls, wee imps, and unicorns. I actually just sent the package today (pic below). So, many of the new plushies I made went to Wholly Craft, while the rest (aside from the 4 that will be in my shop) went to I Like You here in Minneapolis to freshen up the inventory I already had there.
4. Complete at least half of my pieces for the Go Ask Alice show (due November 20). Status: Incomplete.
   But, the deadline was extended. Not that that should be an excuse, but I still have a little over three weeks before I need to ship my pieces, so I'm not sweating. Yet.
   
   Total Accomplished: 2.75 / 4.5. (Though I'm tempted to count my double completes as 2 each. . . .)
   

(We're on our way to Wholly Craft! Yippee!)

"But Jessica," you say, "you only really completed half of your goals. How can you say October was so awesome?" Well first, Plushroom Soup received AMAZING blog love in October, which further made my month. I am so thankful to all the lovely bloggers who took the time to write about my critters—even if it was just one sentence—or post a few pictures and a link. You guys are awesome!

Second, I received my first international sale! I sent my zombie giraffe to a really sweet woman in the UK, who gave me this feedback:

Just got this and it is FANTASTIC! The arm magnet is really strong and the detailing and finishing are wonderful. Real value for money. I am SO pleased with it. You should be making a fortune with these. My daughter loves geekery (her Twitter name is Zombie Giraffes) and says there is nothing to match this in UK stores like Forbidden Planet. --Linda

And third, on the nitty-gritty side of things, I also finally accomplished some really basic things that should've been done (eep!) a year ago.

1. I registered my assumed name with the state (I did things backward and got my tax ID when I first started selling) and tomorrow will place the legal notice in a local paper that makes that certificate super official. I'm proud (and relieved!) that I finally accomplished that. Now I'll be able to open a business account at my bank, which will make Plushroom Soup super uber official.
2. I created an account on MNartists.org. I don't know if that will drive much traffic my way or open up any opportunities, but at least I've finally declared myself an artist in Minnesota and put my name out there as part of that community.

And, on top of everything I did for Plushroom Soup, I also made a million bajillion baby gifts for expectant friends. My sewing machine could probably use a tune-up after everything I put it through in October!

Though, as mentioned, I'm still sad/angry about being wait-listed for No Coast, it appears it was rather a blessing in disguise, being the kick in the pants that spurred me to finally contact other stores, put my name out there more, and treat my business like an actual business. And those activities in turn spurred a major productive streak for me, one I hope to continue in November. So, on to November goals, shall we?

1. Finish and ship my pieces for the Go Ask Alice show.
2. Send out at least 2 more inquiry emails to retail stores/art gallery boutiques. (If any of you know of an awesome store/gallery in your city that I should contact, please let me know!)
3. Finish organizing my fabric shelves, take pictures of the craft room, and blog about the process.

I'm going to leave it at that for the month, because the most important thing is completing my Go Ask Alice pieces. I'd like to think that I can still make some plushies for the Etsy shop this month too, but I don't want to commit to that given the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month that will eat more days (no pun intended) than I usually realize.

Hope you all had an amazing October as well, and here's to an amazing November!

October Goals and September Goal Status

(image: Modish Biz Tips)

September was a good month! I accomplished darn near everything on my list for the first time ever. Let's recap:

1. Make a "Y" for the Plush You sign Status: Complete.
   See picture on my Flickr. I will miss going to Seattle this year to hang out with all the awesome plush people, but I hope to go again next year.
2. Make at least 6 plushies, 2 of which (minimum) will be Halloween-related for the Etsy shop. Status: Half done.
   I managed 3 out of 6, but all 3 were Halloween related. I have a 4th half-done. . . .
3. Start researching new booth designs for No Coast. Status: complete.
   I have a good idea about what I want to do. The bad news? I was wait-listed this year. I do understand the space limitations, the need to keep things fresh and give new vendors a chance to shine, so I'm trying to stay upbeat. But I can't help but fell more than a little bummed about this. I've done this show for the past three years in a row, and it is so much fun. I love networking with the other vendors, hobnobbing with customers, and being part of the best yearly event in our local community. I'm keeping my fingers and my toes crossed that I can still participate!
4. Clean my craft room. Status: complete.
   This is a huge weight lifted off my back! I pulled every last thing out of the closet and reevaluated. I was a bit shocked by how much I had been holding onto that just didn't matter. But it felt so good to purge! I sent two large boxes to Goodwill, recycled four large (no, seriously large; like, two year's worth of back issues on four different magazines plus other miscellany large) boxes full of paper goods, and hauled three large garbage bags to the dump. Whew! Felt sooooo good. I want to share pictures with everyone soon, but before I do, there's one last thing I want to check off my to-do list.

Which brings me to October's goals:

1. Organize my fabric shelves. Refold all pieces, and arrange by color. Recycle or toss what can't or won't be used.
   1B. When done, photograph my room in pristine condition and share online.
2. Make more plushies! Even though I'm not guaranteed a No Coast slot, even though Etsy sales have slumped, now is not the time to sit on my laurels! Specifically, make at least 6 plushies.
3. Approach two new shops about carrying my work. Since I most likely don't need to save my inventory for a big show this year, I feel comfortable selling some of it to retail stores.
4. Complete at least half of my pieces for the Go Ask Alice show (due November 20).

And that's it!

September Goals and August Goal Status

(image: Modish Biz Tips)

I slipped a little in August, but from the sounds of it, at least I wasn't the only one! But I like Jena's idea of not dwelling on what went wrong, so here's a short recap before I get on to September's goals:

1. Work out pattern design for one new plushie. Status: incomplete.
   Didn't even try. Whoops.
2. Make at least 6 new plushies. Status: complete.
   4 went into the shop, the other 2 were custom orders.
3. Make a list of what needs to be done to gear up for the show/holiday season. Status: ongoing.
   I think I captured most of what needs doing, but I'm sure more will get added.
4. Spruce up the ol' shop. First up: retake photos to replace some lackluster ones. Status: incomplete.
   
   Total accomplished: 2 / 4.

Not my worst month, but not my best either. So, on to September!

1. Make a "Y" for the Plush You sign in the Bluebottle Arts Gallery. 
2. Continue to churn out the plushies. Make at least 6, 2 of which (minimum) will be Halloween-related for the Etsy shop.
3. Start researching new booth designs. I may not be able to pull off a new No Coast booth this year, but I want to at least look at my options and try.
4. Clean my craft room. This room is seriously messy, and I have no doubt that has contributed in part to my August slump.

Here's to a better September, everyone!

August Goals

(image: Modish Biz Tips)

I want to keep up the great creating momentum I had in July, so most of my goals this month will center around just being creative and actually DOING.

1. Work out pattern design for one new plushie. This might be ambitious because I'll be starting from scratch, unlike the two I made in July, which were based on previous designs of mine. But if I can at least get a good start, I'll be happy.
2. Sew, sew, sew. More concretely, make at least 6 new plushies.
3. Make a list of what needs to be done to gear up for the show/holiday season. It seems like almost cheating to have a goal to make a list of goals, but there's so much to be done before my big selling season of the year. I don't want to get caught off-guard when the rush finally hits again, so making a list of everything that needs doing will be crucial to my success. And sanity!
4. Spruce up the ol' shop. This week I caught the tail end of Etsy's Virtual Lab about turning browsers into buyers (if you missed it, read the notes). Daniellexo presented lots of great, easy-to-do tips that I can implement with little effort. First up: retake photos to replace some lackluster ones.

And I think I'll leave it at that. It may well be a tad more than I can actually accomplish, but again, I'm counting on some momentum to carry me through.

Here's to a happy, productive August, everyone!

July Goal Status

I'm at last happy to report that I fared better than usual this month with my goals. Let's break it down:

1. Complete and turn in application for this year's No Coast Craft-o-Rama. Status: complete.
   The deadline is actually later than I first thought (August 31 instead of August 1), but I'm trying to be better about not procrastinating, so I went ahead and did it!
2. Host a giveaway on the blog. Status: incomplete.
   Oops. This one fell through the cracks this month. I have a really fun giveaway planned in my head for when I can unveil one of the new projects I'm working on, so part of me just wants to wait until then. Then again, doing two could keep the momentum going on any buzz the first one conjures. Or it could just oversaturate the market. Anyone have any thoughts/advice about this?
3. Work out pattern design for two new plushies. Status: complete.
   I unveiled work in progress pics in one of my Thoughtful Thursday posts; both photos in this post are more finished versions. I still have more planned for each of these designs, which I hope to unveil very soon. But my goal was to just work out the pattern design, which I did, while also managing to have tons of fun doing it!
   
4. Submit some plush for consideration in the next issue of Stuffed: A Gathering of Softies (deadline: August 15). Status: complete.
   'Nuff said.
5. Sit down with an accountant/tax advisor. Status: incomplete.
   Is anyone surprised this didn't happen yet?
   
   Total accomplished: 3 / 5.

I feel really good about my progress this month. Here's to continued momentum and success in August!