Tunes Tuesday: Katy Perry - Part Of Me

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The Slump

The end of last year and beginning of this year have been the lowest I've experienced since starting Wilde Designs. I'd gotten used to selling around $100 a month in goods across my shops. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but always something. Some weeks I'd send out a few orders. 
Certainly the financial aspect was a factor. That extra money helped pay the bills and pay down our debt, and I was really looking forward to what it would do to help us after our son was born. Unfortunately just when our son was born premature, Etsy shut my shops down. Suddenly that money was gone - that money that was going to help me stay out for my full maternity leave, that might have helped pay our NICU bills (which we're still paying even now that our son is a month shy of his first birthday). 
But above and beyond the issue of losing that monthly income, I've found that it's hard not having the sense of accomplishment that came with sending out orders and hearing how much people liked what I'd made. In the past six months, I've only had a few orders. I know that eventually my new shop will pick up and start getting traffic (I work hard to make sure it does), but it's hard. It's hard starting over when I'd worked so hard to establish myself to start with. It's hard going from the beginnings of real success to what feels like full on failure. 
For those of you who also have your own business either as a side venture or a full time gig, how do you deal with slumps? 

Wordless Wednesday

katy perry ring, originally uploaded by Shimrit'a cupcakes.

Tunes Tuesday: Jonathan Groff - "You Don't Even Know My Name" 9:30pm

Manic Monday: Andrea of Papernaut Cards

Andrea of Papernaut Cards

Shop | Twitter | Facebook

What is your favorite item in your shop?

One of my favorite cards is Steampunk Pi! I’m a little obsessed with the number, I celebrate March 14th with Pi cupcakes and I can recite the number to 56 digits. I’m proud of this card because I actually drew the design myself. This is a great example of a unique Papernaut Card that you won’t find anywhere else.

What is most inspirational to you?

"For inspiration I rely pretty heavily on my hardcore nerdiness. We are so fortunate to live in a time where nerds and geeks have infiltrated so far into pop-culture there’s no shortage of amazing books, games, TV shows, and movies to provide material. For example, I also have a Portal 2 Turret Opera card inspired by the amazing song “Cara Mia Addio” played at the end.

What is your favorite quote?

"Do you want ants? Because THAT'S how you get ants." - ARCHER

Manic Monday: Kimberly of Flaunt It & Flaunt It Dolly

Kimberly of Flaunt It & Flaunt It DollyShop | Shop 2 |  Facebook

What is your favorite item in your shops?For Flaunt It, the Prince Charming commission for my nephew.  It was extra special as it was for his first ballet recital and it will be memories I will treasure for I life time! Yes I do commission, and not just for family! 
For Flaunt It Dolly, the BJD Tiny Feathered Straw Hat. I just love how the feathers turned out.  Doing things in miniature have been a treat. 

What is most inspirational to you?I love historical fashion, particularly high Renaissance, Victorian and Edo era Japanese. I like to recreate those times or use them as inspiration in modern clothing design.  

What is your favorite quote?Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. -- Albert Einstein 

Manic Monday: Val of StoneMe

Val of StoneMeShop | Facebook | Twitter | Flickr

What is your favorite item in your shop?I love the Leland blue slag glass. Gorgeous antique glass rocks! 

What is most inspirational to you?Mother nature.

What is your favorite quote?“Among the many thousands of things that I have never been able to understand, one in particular stands out. That is the question of who was the first person who stood by a pile of sand and said, "You know, I bet if we took some of this and mixed it with a little potash and heated it, we could make a material that would be solid and yet transparent. We could call it glass." Call me obtuse, but you could stand me on a beach till the end of time and never would it occur to me to try to make it into windows.” Bill Bryson
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Christmas in July Sale

Get 10% off all orders now through July 31st at Wilde Designs! No coupon codes needed, no category restrictions, just buy to your heart's content. Limit one per customer.