The end of July! Days are getting shorter, folks on Etsy are getting antsy to hear Holiday Plans from the top dogs, the ones with initials: CEO, CCO, CFO, CTO.
What kinds of promotions will be featured? What kinds of advertising will occur? Will EtsyKids finally end? Will the issue of copyright infringement be dealt with? And especially-- will sales pick up?
Ah the many questions of an online handmade seller...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
"Monsoon" rains and Crabgrass.
When it rains, it pours. It's Arizona, so it's not like a real monsoon - just a time of thunderstorms, humidity and rain. Generally it starts around the 4th of July and lasts until September. During this time, the crabgrass grows about 3 feet a day, and the ants try and move into the house.
We've been doing battle with the ants, and I think we'll try hiring a young and healthy gardener to remove the crabgrass. Woman or man, it doesn't really matter, just so long as they can identify tomato plants, squash, beans... and are willing to pull the grass out by the roots. Crabgrass puts down roots along the length of its stems- spreads out and digs in and is very difficult to get rid of. Believe me, if we weren't both a couple of arthritic old people, we'd be doing it ourselves. But It's hard work.
Doesn't sound like rocket science though, does it?
I assume in this economy, we might find someone willing to pull weeds for money. Or a gas card...
Meanwhile, we continue to make things and stay busy in a non-painful way. We'd rather not damage ourselves any worse than we are already. After all, it's only money, right?
We've been doing battle with the ants, and I think we'll try hiring a young and healthy gardener to remove the crabgrass. Woman or man, it doesn't really matter, just so long as they can identify tomato plants, squash, beans... and are willing to pull the grass out by the roots. Crabgrass puts down roots along the length of its stems- spreads out and digs in and is very difficult to get rid of. Believe me, if we weren't both a couple of arthritic old people, we'd be doing it ourselves. But It's hard work.
Doesn't sound like rocket science though, does it?
I assume in this economy, we might find someone willing to pull weeds for money. Or a gas card...
Meanwhile, we continue to make things and stay busy in a non-painful way. We'd rather not damage ourselves any worse than we are already. After all, it's only money, right?
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Random Thoughts
As soon as I say it, they'll probably be back, but: The Ants are Gone! for now. Which is a good thing.
Speaking of good things, I read where Martha Stewarts' company is predicted to be on the downhill side of the bell curve. Apparently making fancy stuff to sweeten up your home is becoming passe. When the economy falters, does that impact the crafting venue?
Folks have been crafting for hundreds of years, so I don't expect that to stop. But as finances tighten, disposable income fades. "Good things" cost money- more so than "Just OK" things... Walmart (the home of "Just OK") has a new logo and is said to be thriving in these tight times.They do have the advantage of offering everything in one place. It may not be what you'd really like, but at least you aren't spending wads of cash on gas to drive from store to store. And for some, that is a big deal.
I saw a really good paperback the other day, kind of like the "Whole Earth Catalog" from the 70's - all kinds of info to help you live off the land, or closer to the land at any rate. There are so many simple ways to cut costs and be "green" - things we used to do back then that saved us money. I thought- "Wow, maybe I'll check that out-" so I picked it up to thumb through.
The typeface was so small I would have had to use a magnifying glass to read it. Sadly, I set it back on the shelf.
Speaking of good things, I read where Martha Stewarts' company is predicted to be on the downhill side of the bell curve. Apparently making fancy stuff to sweeten up your home is becoming passe. When the economy falters, does that impact the crafting venue?
Folks have been crafting for hundreds of years, so I don't expect that to stop. But as finances tighten, disposable income fades. "Good things" cost money- more so than "Just OK" things... Walmart (the home of "Just OK") has a new logo and is said to be thriving in these tight times.They do have the advantage of offering everything in one place. It may not be what you'd really like, but at least you aren't spending wads of cash on gas to drive from store to store. And for some, that is a big deal.
I saw a really good paperback the other day, kind of like the "Whole Earth Catalog" from the 70's - all kinds of info to help you live off the land, or closer to the land at any rate. There are so many simple ways to cut costs and be "green" - things we used to do back then that saved us money. I thought- "Wow, maybe I'll check that out-" so I picked it up to thumb through.
The typeface was so small I would have had to use a magnifying glass to read it. Sadly, I set it back on the shelf.
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