Good Karma Project

I sent this package off today to a unsuspecting person. I am calling this my 'Good Karma Project'. When I feel stressed or need a smile, I am going to find someone that would enjoy a little surprise glee in their lives. Can't wait to hear what they think of it!

Love, Nikki

Stewardship - Grow something amazing!

Print by Helen Dardik on Etsy

Lately I have been thinking allot about the word stewardship. Wikipedia will tell you its used to describe taking care of resources, and before recent times it was regarding the person responsible for taking care of domestic affairs. It is a word that I repeat to myself often. Why? Because to me this word symbolizes what we all are. We are stewards of our lives and until our children are raised, their lives as well. Nothing has taught me more about the immortality of life, then this last year. With those feelings of immortality come a realization that you want your life to mean something. Stewardship is my something. This word reminds me that I am a steward over my family, my body, the earth and my business. The one thing I can do in this life is to grow something or if I am lucky a garden of lovely legacies.

Right now I am working to grow a confident and interesting child, a small business, a happy marriage and hopefully a really awesome Nikki by the time I am through. Hopefully someday a great garden and many other things.  Each day I am going to try and so something that contributes to the growth of these things. Some days I might do more harm then good, but I know that if in the end my goal is to be a steward over these things, that good things will happen.

How to grow something:
1 - Feed it often (with love, imagination, resouces)
2 - Give it room to grow (do not limit the posabbilites of its growth)
3 - Give it Sunlight (let it bake in positive thoughts)
4 - Harvest it (reap the rewards and enjoy your hard work, this will help you to keep growing)

Happy growing lovely folks!
<3 Nikki

A Market Experience

the elevator shot

Months back I can remember having no clue what Market was. I was asked to do Market by some scouts that had found me at some Dallas area craft shows. In fact, they had asked me several times. Each time I took their card and thought there was no way I was going to do a craft show in Dallas for four days! Then I was told what Market was (thank you to those friends that are way more savvy then I). I researched it and got really scared of the mere thought of doing Market. I promptly did nothing about this information and pretended it never happened. Then they contacted me again. This time I felt it was meant to be and I should probably put on my big girl panties and take Gleeful Peacock to Market.  For those of you still wondering what Market is, it is a ginormious set of buildings that are set up into areas and showrooms. Some businesses have permanent showrooms at Market. Then there are floors of 'Temp Finds'. These are the people like me that come and set up for 4 days or so. I was in the Vintage and Handmade section.

The shot above was taken while I was in the elevator (please forgive the blurriness). This building is 18 floors of nothing but shops set up to sell to buyers. Buyers from mom and pop stores, boutiques and huge department stores are all walking around trying to find the brands that can make their customers smile. Every brand you can think of in the home and gifts business was there meeting with buyers. Tobe honest, I was pretty impressed that I was among them.

handmade and vintage area of market

The problem with doing something as big as Market for the first time is that you have no idea what you are doing, but you don't want anyone else to know that. Due to show season ending the week before Christmas I only had a few weeks to put together my product line, photograph it, make a catalog, a line sheet, a postcard and design my booth. It was so crazy and the most intense thing I have ever done. I couldn't have done it without help from my friends. A big shout out to Rebecca of ChickeeBoom and Tiffany from LivyLu! I am such a lucky girl to be surrounded my ladies far more talented then I.

Here is a photo of the finished booth. My sweet husband deserves a prize for being okay with it being set up in my living room for the entire week before Market. I decided my theme was granny chic. Since I feel like I am an old soul, I felt right at home in booth. 

Here are a few of my displays. 

necklaces in an old trunk

 

 

an old shelf on it's side with some knobs

vase, flower bud vase, spoon collectors display, books and mailbox for headbands

So here are a few things I learned about Market.

• Be prepared. As my momma taught me, it is always better to be over prepared then under prepared. I know this in ingrained in me because I want to pack back-up everything for everything I do.
• Have lot's of material for buyers to walk away with. I had a catalog, a postcard and business cards. 
• Some showrooms sell off samples. If there is a 'S' on the door you can get some amazing deals! 
• Talk to everyone you can. Every contact is an amazing opportunity. I am still crossing my fingers for a certain account that if landed I got from visiting their booth.
• It is the most exhausting thing you could do to increase business. But it is an amazing experience. 
• The last few hours of the last day most vendors will allow cash and carry. You can actually buy things for wholesale. I got some amazing things and would take advantage of it even more next go round.  
• Bring along someone to help. My friend and helper was delightful, a hard worker and so helpful. Not only that, but she had experience with Market and that was so valuable!
• Know what you want to accomplish before you go. What type of stores do you want? How much do you want to grow? What are you prepared to handle when you get back? 

I have decided to go at it again in June. I think this one was a training ground for me. So, between now and then I will be working on organizing my business more, getting a bit more help and making the accounts I have turn into gleeful groupies.

best booth award

Oh and the cherry on top was that I won best booth for my vintage and handmade! I was so excited I squealed. Mainly because my one main goal was to appear like I knew what I was doing.

The funny part was that I almost backed out a few weeks before. I just could not fathom the thought of all the work and exhaustion I knew laid ahead. I have to thank my sweet friends that told me to keep going and believed in me and my business. Looking back I would have missed out on so much if I would have let my fears and the exhaustion win out. Thank goodness for friends that kick you in the rear when you are being a baby. 


As I got all set up and I wanted to cry in exhaustion and emotion, all I could think was a quote that my step-dad always said to me. "Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true." - Albert Camus. In the end I am so happy I had this experience and that I did the hard work to accomplish what I wanted. 

One Marshmallow Or Two?

As a rule of thumb I try to use creativity in every aspect of my life. One area that I have noticed that it helps the most is parenting.  I can’t say I deserve the title of ‘World’s best Mom’, but I try to be the best parent for Rae and I put all I have into it.  I truly believe if I try and approach it like I would other goals then I am off to a good start. When I have a goal I use creative problem solving when faced with an obstacle. I am trying to do the same with my parenting, so far it gets me way further then hollering and throwing tantrums.. which on occasion I do anyways, because at time I am a one marshmallow person (explained below).

It is important to me that I teach Rae to set goals, strive for dreams and work hard. These things are qualities I value extremely high.  This was something that has been a great help in teaching those lessons in our home.  Besides.. I need reminders too, and this helps me as well.

A year or so ago I read this study that was done in the 70’s at Stanford.  They took children one by one into a room and gave them a marshmallow.  These children were told that if they did not eat it that in fifteen minutes someone would come back in they give them another one and they could then eat two marshmallows.  Some children ate them right away not caring about the second marshmallow and others did all they could to resist and hold out so they could have two.

They followed the children through their lives and tracked the difference in how the children that wonted immediate gratification (one marshmallow) versus the delayed gratification children (2 marshmallows) differed.  The results were significant. Those that had been a two marshmallow child had higher test scores and were overall considered more successful.

When I told Rae this story it didn’t sink in at first, but now I use it as an easy reminder and metal picture of making the choices that really benefit us in the long run.  When faced with a choice we often say ‘What is the two marshmallow choice?’ and when she is really being a pain, all I have to do is say ‘That’s a one marshmallow choice’.  I have to chuckle because if I say that to her, it will affect her more than anything else I can say, yell or threaten.  She typically corrects her behavior on the spot!

I have used this to teach setting goals, eating healthy, behaving at school and even cleaning up the rooms.  I am not saying it produces a perfect child, but it gives her something to think about and visualize and faced with a choice between what she wants right now and what she really wants.

To give her a quick no talking pep-talk all I have to do is hand her two marshmallows and a wink. She knows that this means she is being a pretty awesome person and making some great choices.

I would love to hear any creative parenting you have used. Do you have secret codes, stories and words you use to correct your child’s behavior?

My Very Gleeful Holiday Giveaway!

It's time for a Very Gleeful Holiday Giveaway!

This year I have made a promise to myself to have as much of a handmade and small business holiday as possible. I thought it would be fun to offer you a chance at just that! I contacted some very talented friends and business women I respect and I put together something beyond my wildest dreams! This prize pack is valued over $500! One very lucky winner is going to walk away with a Very Gleeful Holiday!  I have to admit that I am a lot jealous of whoever wins! 

Here are the amazing business owners that contributed to the first ever Very Gleeful Holiday Giveaway. I love these businesses and I am so happy to introduce you to them if you don't already know them! 

Tweet Baby Designs

Hi Ya'll! My name is Ashlee and I am a mama to 6.5 kiddos and wife to one amazing man. I started Tweet Baby Designs in Sept of 2008 as a way to sell things I loved to make. It has since turned into a wonderful addition to our large family. I specialize in teething accessories for babies and toddlers and amber jewelry for adults with inflammatory issues.

Tweet Baby Designs is Giving Away: 2 Felt and Fabric Owl Ornaments.

Tweet Baby Designs 

The Peaceful Housewife

Jenny from The Peaceful Housewife blogs about family life and recipes for making your own personal care products. She also sells her handmade cleaning products and laundry detergent worldwide. You can find her products online at www.thepeacefulhousewife.com.

The Peaceful Housewife is Giving Away: A One Year Supply of Detergent in A Scent of Your Choice.

The Peaceful Housewife 

Love My Suds

All Love My Suds Soaps, Scrubs and Body Goodies are handcrafted fresh with 100% quality ingredients by Dina Cagle. She enjoys crafting these bubbly goodies in her hilltop home in Sand Springs Oklahoma. Dina, is a soap artisan, green blogger, web designer, and life long Okie. When not creating she is the Mother of an eighteen year old son, wife to her best friend and an avid animal lover. 

Love My Suds is Giving Away: 

Sweet Dreams Goats Milk Bar-soothing bedtime bath blend of mandarin, lavender and chamomile, neroli, and lily of the valley. Bottom notes of hay and musk. 

Sweet Dreams Sugar Scrub Bar-soothing bedtime bath is a blend of mandarin, lavender and chamomile, neroli, and lily of the valley. Bottom notes of hay and musk.

All Love My Suds are handcrafted with Love, 100% quality ingredients and beautiful soapy scents to delight your bath time.

Love My Suds 

Oopsy Daisies

Oopsy Daisies is a great shop that hand creates these fun hats for infants. Perfect for a photoshoot and just for getting lots of compliments! 

Oopsy Daisies is Giving Away: A $20 Gift Credit to the Store.

 Oopsy Daisies

Meagan Ready Photography

 Meagan Ready Photography offers beautiful child and baby photography. Unique and artful, her images will be something you cherish forever.

Meagan Ready Photography is Giving Away: A Newborn Session OR a $100 gift Card to Meagan Ready Photography. (Winner's Choice)

Meagan Ready Photography 

ChickeeBoom

 

Rebecca Ramos

I want my designs to become your favorite piece of jewelry simply because they represent you.  A person can look at your charms and get a small snapshot of what you are all about.  My new line of charms, icon•o•graphic from ChickeeBoom, was created so that these charms would be constant companions in your everyday journey. They are intended to remind you of what is important and put a smile on your face whenever you touch them or hear them jingle.

I live in Dallas, TX with my husband, two sweet little boys and four dopey dogs! I love to learn new techniques and make new and exciting items for you! Visit my website www.ChickeeBoom.com or LIKE me on FB - we'll have a great jewelry time together!

ChickeeBoom is Giving Away: One Fine Silver Charm from the entire line (up to a $40 value).

ChickeeBoom 

 Hollyrocks

 

Hollyrocks offers Gems and accessories to match your rockin' ways! She makes amazing polymer clay jewelry, home decor and fun items that put a smile on your face.

Hollyrocks is Giving Away: One Glitter Acorn Necklace in your choice of color.

Hollyrocks 

Oikos Handmade

 

OIKOS : of certain affinity, tribe
I love my family. I adore my husband. I am smitten by my son. I enjoy crocheting. I am grateful for friends. These are my tribes. 

Oikos Handmade is Giving Away: One Set of Boot Socks in Cream.

Oikos Handmade 

Okie Scents

Jennifer from Okie Scents makes beautiful quality candles and cold process soaps in her shop in Sand Springs, OK. You can find her products online at www.thepeacefulhousewife.com

 

Okie Scents is Giving Away: 3 Scented Wax Melts.

Okie Scents 

Designs By Jamie

Designs By Jamie creates handmade purses and accessories using fun modern fabrics with vintage trims. I have been sewing for many years and started making handbags about seven years ago for friends, which led to my own business designing and sewing purses. Designs by Jamie also makes zipper/e-reader bags, checkbook covers, coupon bags, iPod covers and reusable snack bags.

Designs By Jamie is Giving Away: A Zipper Bag made out of black denim and embellished with a Dark Pink Hand Dyed Doily. The Zipper Bag is the perfect size for e-Readers.

Designs By Jamie 

 Rainbow Swirlz

Rainbow Swirlz is a screen printing business here in Oklahoma. Her designs are fun, sweet and always cool. She not only offers up totes, t's and sweatshirts in her fun designs, she also does custom screen printing for sports teams, work events and any other need you might have for customer screen printing!

Rainbow Swirlz is Giving Away: A $50 Gift Certificate to their Shop.

Rainbow Swirlz 

 Gleeful Peacock

Aristotle said ‘We are what we repeatedly do’. If you want to be an artist, do artistic and creative acts. With this in mind, I set out to start my own business and I created Gleeful Peacock. The name symbolizes my two main goals, to be colorful and happy. Although my shop may not have paintings for your wall, it all comes from my creative energy and to me it is wearable art. I love to create pieces with meaning, symbolism or a specific inspiration.

Gleeful Peacock is Giving Away: One $50 Gift Certificate to the Shop.

Gleeful Peacock

Bluebird Lane

Sisters Jen J. and Megan N. opened Bluebird Lane as a labor of love in August of 2011.  Boosting 3000 square feet of space, overnight accommodations for 15 , and well lit crafting rooms Bluebird Lane is a relaxing getaway perfect for all makers and crafters! The sisters have spent countless hours clipping and pasting, preserving life’s lovely memories in carefully pieced together scrapbooks. The peaceful camaraderie provided by a great group of creative friends and passionate ideas sparked the dream of Bluebird Lane. No matter what your crafting passion, or base medium, Bluebird Lane will be your new favorite spot! 
come.stay.relax.create
www.bluebirdretreat.com

Bluebird Lane is Giving Away: A Two Night, Three Day Stay for One Person and it includes Meals for the Weekend. 

Bluebird Lane

Can you believe you can win all of that?

Now that you have seen all the amazing prizes are you ready to win? Here's how to enter. You'll first of all need to follow my blog and then like each store's Facebook Page. (The Links are included with each item being given away.) Once you've done that come back and fill out THIS form. 

Good Luck! Giveaway is open until December 12, 2011 at 

*One Lucky Entry will win all prizes mentioned above. Must be 18 or older to enter. Only one entry per person. All Duplicate entries will be deleted. All entries will be verified before the winner is chosen. If you are not one of the winners, your information will be deleted and not sold or shared with anyone.

As Promised...Black Friday Coupon Code!

Gleeful Holidays To You All!
 
It is that time of year when we start putting on the holiday music, pulling out all the favorite holiday decorations and starting to make our lists and check them twice. The best part is finding that perfect gift for someone on our list!

This year I am pledging to make it a handmade holiday as much as possible. I am busy working on handmade ornaments, making a cooking list and shopping all the amazing handmade artists I know! I hope that you will join me in making this a handmade holiday. By supporting a handmade artist you make a huge difference in that person’s life. I am not too sure the CEO of a big box store does a happy dance each time something gets purchased from the store. But, I can tell you from experience that each time you order or buy handmade someone out there on the other end is doing a happy dance, smiling a huge grin or feeling validated for all the hard work and time they put into making their goods. This year try and be the cause for as many happy moments as you can! I am sure you will all agree that it not only makes a difference to the artist it also makes a difference to the person on the receiving end of the gift.

So that you have a little memento from the happy dance you cause me when you order, I will be sending out a free gift with every order that uses the coupon code upon ordering.

The coupon code is good November 25th to November 28th. Hurry quick you won't want to miss out! 

Gleefully,
Nikki

All About You Interview

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to be on KSBI's All About You program. They had found me when I was exhibiting at The Girly Show. Not only is that show amazing, it has been the gift the just keeps giving! So a little thank you the The Girly's for putting on a amazing show for artists, is in order. Thanks!

The staff at KSBI was welcoming and so easy going. I wasn't very nervous and it just felt like friends chatting.  I was on a news show before but that was to promote Indie Emporium and not myself. It is a whole new ball game when you chat about yourself!

I am sure I could find a million things I could have done better but I will focus that I never fell on my face, went 'deer in the headlights', or started uncontrollably crying. So I will let this one go in the 'win' category.  As my girlfriends tell me, I have a tendency to be to hard on myself and I am trying to work on it. So I wont watch the video (except the one time on my phone where I could not see it very well), but here it is for you to watch it if you choose.