Sunrise Playa del Carmen

This week’s photo theme is “warmth.” I can’t help but share with you another photo from our honeymoon to Playa del Carmen, Mexico this past October. The sun was warm, the air was salty, and the sand was white and toasty. I highly recommend staying at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. It was a gorgeous hotel with a relaxing beach, an infinity pool, and yummy, yummy food!

This week’s goals:

♥ Finish Etsy orders – I’m almost to my 30th sale!

♥ Create more product to have photographed on Monday! – ahhhh! My first photo shoot for my shop!

♥ Gather twigs (it’s not as weird as you think) to create these adorable planters, and plant my herbs from those $1 plant kits at Target.

Now for The Thankful Project. A job I am thankful for is owning and running my little Etsy shop sincerely moi. I opened back in September 2012. I needed a creative outlet, and crafting has always been my passion. Since my engagement photo shoot and wedding was around the corner, I started making these heart-shaped chalkboard signs. I also started making these button paper flowers and that sparked my interest in opening up my Etsy shop.

I have always been a fan of Etsy and knew that I wanted to sell on Etsy. I saw how expensive things were and wanted to create a shop that was affordable and cute. My first sale ever was from my boyfriend (now husband). (Shhh, don’t tell him I told you.) He bought 12 of my lovely button paper flowers. He is so supportive. I also sold to customers from New Zealand and Australia! I love getting international customers (and of course, good ol’ US customers) because I feel that when my orders get shipped to these other countries, I feel a little piece of my heart goes along with it. I feel like I visited those countries.

I hope my business grows even more over the years. I hope customers enjoy my creations, and return after years to come. Owning a business is difficult, and there has been much tears shed. I still feel the growing pains, but I know it is worth it. I make things by hand and it gives me much satisfaction in a mass produced world. If you are thinking about opening your own Etsy shop, I say do it! Even if you don’t sell one thing, you will feel accomplished knowing you made this by hand and you own your own business. And I’ll be rootin’ for ya! (Use this link to earn 40 free listing when you open up your Etsy shop and I’ll earn 40 free listings as well. Everybody wins!) Enjoy your night!

Sincerely,

Jamie