What we learned since opening Our Etsy Store 365 days Ago

Posted on 10 February, 2015 by admin

Today, February 10th, 2015, marks the One Year Anniversary of Our Etsy Store. I can hardly believe that it has been that long, but I can. I remember how nervous I was the day that we officially launched Our Store. I had no idea what the future would hold for Stage Presents, or how our items would be received. But, we stepped forward in faith and embarked on this grand journey. As most of you know, Stage Presents is a joint venture between my husband and I, and if you really want to know, I think its the secret to our success thus far. So….. I enlisted his help in writing this post.

As in any business effort, there is a lot of behind the scenes work that the customers never see. (Lucky for them, because it can get messy.) Prior to starting this venture and through out, we did a lot of research, trial and error. Here are some of the things that worked for us.

You must have clear detailed product photos. I can’t stress this enough. I am a part of several Facebook Etsy Groups, and fellow shop owners are ALWAYS asking for critiques. This is the most frequently given answer, of how to improve your shop. [Lucky for me, hubby is a photographer, so we had that in the bag.] Keep in mind that you are an Online Shop. Your customers DO NOT have the luxury of being able to feel and touch and discern the quality of your items. So a picture is literally worth a thousand words.
Be Prepared to Put in the Time Necessary to Make This Work For You. IT IS TIME CONSUMING. Not only is it going to take time to create each individual listing, as well as whatever product you are selling. But, you need to also be prepared to Cross Promote. Spend Time on Your Social Media Pages. Network with Other Entrepreneurs. Give as Good as you Get.
Be Responsive to Purchases, as well as Etsy and Social Media Conversations. We get a lot of conversations regarding Our Items that do not necessarily result in sales. It can be frustrating, but, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, be as professional as possible, and put this in the Category of Possible Future Business.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Remember Murphy’s Law. Some things are just out of your control. This was a hard lesson for me. Have a backup plan in place in instances where your products may not make it to their location in one piece and or if the product is delivered to the wrong recipient.
Pay Close Attention to Your Stats. Where is Your Traffic Coming From? What Keywords are People Searching to Get to Your Store? What Time of The Day Are Your Items Getting The Most Attention?
Give People Choices – When Possible. When Making Your Items Consider Making Multiple Versions of the Same Product – Different Fabric, Color Variations, or Even Size.
BE SPECIFIC. Your customers will not know, if you DO NOT TELL THEM. Make sure that your Product Terms and Conditions are Straight Forward and DO NOT leave room for Interpretation.
Lastly, Enjoy the Ride. It will have its ups and downs. Some weeks and even some months, will be slower than you could ever imagine. Some things that you create and think are amazing, may or may not take off. But, it’s a learning process that will continue for as long as your shop stays open.

365 Days – 99 Sales.

Thank you all for all the support you have given us over the year. We couldn’t have done it with out you.

Do you have any Tips that we didn’t include that you would love to share with us? Funny Growing Pains Stories? Please Share yours in the comment section below.

Fun Friday – All About V-Day!!

Posted on 30 January, 2015 by admin

Wow, did this week fly by for anyone else but me? Today’s Fun Friday is ALL about Valentine’s Day!!

Do you miss those days when it was just the two of you? But, that just isn’t the case anymore, now that you have little people running around, who seem to be sapping your romantic flow. But, you want your guy to know that he is still #1 in your book. No matter how tired you may be.

Most men are simple. And, most men don’t really give a hoot about Valentine’s Day. Even still, you care, so make sure he knows that you do too. Keep in Mind, that this year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday (what a treat). So, you have the whole day to make your love feel special.

Here are a few Quick & Hopefully Not Too Dirty Ideas:

Start with Breakfast — In Bed or Out (your choice)

It doesn’t have to be anything GRAND, you know your guy. Add a Sweet Card, a Love Note, or even an IOU (for later fun). Running low on time in the morning, consider prepping your guys breakfast the night before.

Babysitter or Not –

Can you get a baby sitter to stay with the kids so you can have some alone time? What works better for your family? Are you going to hit the movies with your honey during the day, or are you going to make it an official date night and don the heels and flirty dress?? Whatever you do, make sure the plan is put in place long before that weekend. Remember reservations are nearly impossible to get around this time of year.

Of course, if a Baby Sitter is not an option for you, then you have to either plan V-Day around the kiddies, or include them. When my oldest daughter was much younger, we both dressed up one year and had dinner with my hubby. It was super sweet and we all enjoyed sitting at the table together for dinner. She enjoyed being included and making a Valentine for her Daddy.

Here are some fun ideas for sharing V-day with your little ones, that I found around the web.

12 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

4 Sweet Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

To Dine –

If you are lucky, maybe you are one the of the couples who manage to get time alone, reserve your table far enough in advance, and are dressed to impressed for a Night On the Town. Leave everything else on the back shelf for the night. You have pulled off a major coup!! Make tonight only about YOUR LOVE. No talk of work, daycare, or diapers. Relax and Enjoy Each Other.

Every Day is Special with the One You Love, but Valentine’s day should be even SWEETER.

V-Day Stories –

And, if you got all the way through this post, Good For You!!

So as promised, here is your Free Valentine’s Day Pencil Tag (PDF File) with instructions. Click to Download and Enjoy!!

Jumping Head First into Fall – Our Fall Home Tour

Posted on 18 September, 2014 by admin

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. After particularly hot summers here in Georgia, when the seasons start to change, I feel the need to bring as much warmth in doors as possible, enter my Fall Décor.

I feel that the Entry to Your Home Sets the Tone for the Entire House. So, I normally start with my Front Door and Work My way All the Back to the Kitchen. But, this year, I was literally chomping at the bit, to pull out the Fall Decorations. So I started indoors, that way the neighbors wouldn’t know how crazy I am , lol. I had also promised my hubby, I would wait at least until September 1^st, to start decorating for Fall, and that is literally how long I waited.

I started with the hardest part, the Fall Tablescape. To me, that is the make or break it point. All other décor gets married to this room. I was pretty sure that I could use most of the items that I purchased last year, but still create a different look than last years.

Here is a glimpse of last year’s décor.

Fast Forward to this Year:

The Burnt Orange Bird Cages were something that my hubby picked up last year, when we were trying to figure out how to style the Side Buffet and the Mantle. Luckily, they were already the perfect color, the only thing I added to them, were some fall leaves to line the cage. I had a rather large ceramic pumpkin, and I simply put inside my glass cake plate, and added a few fall leaves and floral accents. Then I decorated the table with other ceramic pumpkins and gourds. Next, I set the table with Fall Leaf place mats I bought last year from Bed Bath & Beyond, in brown and gold. I used Pier 1 pear and pumpkin salt and pepper shakers from last year and large fall leaves I purchased from Joann’s Fabrics, to make the table settings pop. And, the scripted napkins were also something that I bought last year. So I recycled pretty much everything while creating a new and I think a better look than last year.

Next Up, was my Foyer. It gets a facelift on a constant basis. I change up the Art Work and Décor based on Season Changes, Birthdays, and Holidays.. After all it’s the first thing you see when you come through my front door.

Past Foyer Looks:

This Year’s Look:

My Formal Dining Room flows directly into My Formal Living Room. I didn’t do much in this room, but change out the centerpiece, just to give the whole space a uniform look.

Fall 2014 – Living Room Centerpiece found on www.stage-presents.com

Then, I carried the decorations over into the Kitchen by adding these Chalkboard Candles to the Window Sill in the Kitchen.

Fall 2014 Kitchen Window Display

Last Up, was the Front Door Area. Here are some pics from the last two years.

And, finally this year!!

Thanks for joining us on Our Fall Home Tour. As always it’s a joy to decorate my home for my family, and to share it, with you.

I walk the line…

Posted on 28 April, 2014 by admin

As a Mom and even as a wife, there is definitely a line of demarcation in the sand. You want your family to be independent, but you also want them to need you. You want your children to be able to enjoy their childhoods as much as is possible, but you also want to teach them a sense of responsibility and accountability. What falls into the arena of things that they should be responsible for and what are things that I should be responsible for? And, like most things that come with raising kids, there is no manual. We are left mostly to our own devices.

With my oldest, I held his hand way longer than I should have probably. But, I blame that on the fact that he was an only child for almost 9 years. Rounding the second trimester of my second pregnancy, I realized that I couldn’t possible take on the responsibility of being a new Mom, and continue to hold his hand too. So, we went through a crash course on things he could do himself. To my surprise, and probably my relief, he already could do most of the things that I had been doing for him, but wasn’t, simply because I was doing it.

Fast forward 9 more years, and that little baby I was pregnant with is now 9 years old. And, I find myself in a similar predicament. Except there are other existing variables. 1. I have a 4 year old, who I think was born independent. 2. My oldest daughter has an significant speech delay Because she had such a challenging road ahead of her, I again I did most of the things that she should have started doing earlier.

But, now that we are coming up on the other side of her circumstances, I find that we are constantly having to remind her to do things, she should know how to do already. I even think she has gone backwards a bit, because Mom always swooped in and saved the day.

I know.. I know.. Bad Mommy. Hubby and I have had to stay on both girls to make sure that they keep their rooms cleaned, do their chores, don’t leave their things all over the house, etc., etc.

All of this had me thinking about exactly what kind of children I want to raise. So, I started doing some research talking to other Mothers that I admire, Mothers whose children have succeeded in life and excelled, and even Mothers who gave their all and had their kids go left instead of right. I was shocked at what I learned, or at the very least humbled. Over the next couple of weeks, I will share those findings, books, printables, and conversations that I have had. Hope you all will let me know what you think of my findings, what wisdom you want to impart to your own kids, and what worked for you, and even what didn’t.

J’Adore 8

Posted on 6 April, 2014 by admin

I think I am part of the “Energy Crisis”. I have been soo sleepy lately. I am hoping that since this week is Spring Break and hubby is off, I will be able to sleep in some days and maybe even score some day time naps. [Scoffs!!]

That being said, right now…

Now, that I am done decorating my Spring Table:

and added a pop of color to the kitchen window sill with my colorful chalkboard planters and fresh herbs.

and put up my re-purposed spring wreath.

The only thing I have left is to decide on is planters for the front door and whether or not I am doing just greenery or flowers.

In my search, I ran across this – 100+ Spring Planters. Soo many choices, so little time. Also, living in Georgia, I tend to want flowers and greenery that deter mosquitoes. I only recently realized that this was an option. Which is a good thing because the mosquitoes love me and the kids. Ugh!!

And, yes I am still obsessing over Easter Egg Decor Design. Check out these links here and here.

I think I am going to cheat and work on the Easter Eggs with the kids this week, over Spring Break.

Finally, here are some cute Easter Printables.

Hope you all have a great week!!

The Dust Up In the Family Room!!

Posted on 13 March, 2014 by admin

Can you play two ends of the same coin? I like to say that I push the envelope when it comes to my Home Decor Choices, but more often than not, my choice ends up being very main stream and even a bit conservative but with a contemporary flair.

Last year we decided it was time to update our Family Room. And, our jumping off point was the sofa. I never anticipated the mayhem that would ensue. After numerous trips to the furniture store. We decided on this sofa.

Or so I thought. We didn’t really measure the space. And (maybe), since I’m not sure even after a year, that I am ready to acquiesce that it was too big for the room, it was a bit large. But, I loved that sofa. So for peace sake the sofa went back and hubby was tasked with finding a new sofa for the family room. I was still pouting, so I stayed at home.

So you can imagine my horror and surprise when hubby came home with a red leather sectional.

Little did I know that [1] I would fall in love it. [2] It was the perfect match for our space. [3] It would inspire such creativity on our part(our Mantel Decor- shown above).

It is easy to pick safe choices, but I must admit that” flying a little close to the sun” worked for us, this time.

Stage Presents

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Category Archives: Marraige

I walk the line…

J’Adore 8

The Dust Up In the Family Room!!

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

365 Days – 99 Sales.

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Here are a few Quick & Hopefully Not Too Dirty Ideas:

Start with Breakfast — In Bed or Out (your choice)

Babysitter or Not –

To Dine –

V-Day Stories –

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