Showing posts with label get organized. Show all posts
Showing posts with label get organized. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2015

From My Bench ~ Facelift and Reorganization!

And it needed it! My jewelry bench is in our basement - read "no windows". So even with all kinds of lighting, the room is dark and without some nice natural light. When hubs built my bench, I painted the top surface my favorite green for brightness and carried on. Honestly, though, the color is not helpful - it adds to that yellowish hue cast by indoor lights (even with white bulbs) and I have never really liked it.

Now, I love this little room because it's ALL mine. I have room to spread out, make a mess, leave things set up, create, LOADS of storage space and even a computer work space on my favorite vintage enamel top table. Every little thing in it has been placed by me and no one moves anything except for me - read "I have room to make a mess and I therefore do!".

So, yesterday, after completing work on some orders, I decided it was time to correct both of these little issues. I thoroughly cleaned the whole room (yes, EVERY corner - moved EVERY tool, supply, box, etc). I painted the bench top a a very pale blue, reorganized my tools to make a larger workspace, built a wall 'thingy' to store my hammers, tossed all the garbage, cleaned and treated my tools and equipment, filled the torches, organized my enamel powders, placed all my soldering supplies on one metal tray that can be moved to my bench when needed, set up a little bed for Ethel, and gathered all wire and sheet metal together in one easy to locate area! I was exhausted but it feels GREAT! And I'm excited to get to work- that clean bench top needs a project!







Sunday, August 12, 2012

...that time of year

When I was teaching, August brought all the things I needed to do for back to school into my dreams.  I'd lay awake at night with plans for my classroom, kids and school going around and around in my mind!  These days, August brings my 'to do' list for the holiday season front and center and I MUST write it all down and get it out of my head or I won't sleep a wink until I do!

So, in no particular order, here goes:

1. Shipping and Packaging
    * Order shipping supplies - jewelry boxes, shipping boxes, bubblewrap, envelopes, tissue paper, ribbon, business cards and customs forms
    * Prep shipping area - precut bubblewrap, ribbon, tissue
    * Begin to prepare holiday themed Thank You notes
    * Gather and prepare gift wrapping - boxes, paper, ribbon, gift tags
    * Find out Canada Post's shipping deadlines for the holiday season and post in my shop.  Add to Message to Buyer for completed purchases.

2.  Shop
     * Change banner and avi to holiday theme
     * Update shop sections
     * Update shop announcement, policies, profile
     * List all holiday items including new pieces, gift sets, ornaments and holiday themed items
     * Stay on top of all paperwork

3.  Inventory
     * Stock up on raw materials - make a list of what I need and order by September 1
     * Pre-make as many pieces as possible
     * Photograph all new pieces
     * Tag all items
     * Create new pieces for the holiday season.

4.  Promotions
     * Plan and prepare all holiday promotions
     * Prepare monthly newsletters for September to December
     * Keep blog up to date
     * Keep FanPage up to date
     * Stay active on my team and community and make some fabulous treasuries!

5.  Local Events - Prepare inventory and booth for each of the following:
     * Fredericton Fall Craft Show - October
     * Christmas at the Market - November
     * Christmas in the Village in Gagetown - November
     * The Kubbyhole - October to December

6.  Personal
     * Gift shopping - make list
     * Gift wrapping, mail away gifts by November 30
     * Holiday decorating - boughs and lights outside, tree and inside decorations
     * Plan Christmas dinner and invite guests


soooooo-- lots to do but I feel so much better! what's on your list?
karon xo