Monday, November 23, 2015

More Making





The making continues around here, and I am having so much fun. From rope baskets, to soap, to body butter, to salves and lip balms, I am in my happy place when I am making things. Some of this making is for the holidays, but a lot of it is to sell. With this new path I am walking as a single, homeschooling mama I am looking to expand my sources of income. You know the old saying not to put all your eggs in one basket, well I am consciously trying to create different sources of income for Reece and I, and selling the things I create is one of the avenues I will explore.

I have, over the years, sold many of my products, but I have never actively marketed them, all my sales are from a small group of people, who continue to be return customers. But with this new path comes putting myself out there, and so I have been spending some time over the last few weeks building up a supply of products to sell.

For now, I am only going to sell locally, and then the plan in the New Year will be to add a shop to Life At Nature's Pace. I have had thoughts of opening a little shop in the cottage in the backyard, a little place where people can come to browse and chat, maybe even have a cup of tea, but that plan is a little further down the road.

There are a lot of ideas floating around in my head, and many things to consider, but I love making things, so it seems like a great idea to give this a go, and see where it takes me. Wish me luck, won't you?

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And this is where I do a little self promotion...if you live locally, and would like to support a family in your community this holiday season by purchasing handmade items for gift giving, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

51 comments:

  1. Oh that's such a wonderful idea... making on aseeling, living from what you make. Of course I wish you luck and success, I'm on the same path, thinking of selling what I love to make also, dyeing fabrics and cushions... sending love!

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    1. Thank you my friend! I need to talk to you about dying. I want to try dying some rope to make baskets with. I have dyed silks before but that is it. Kinda excited to try dying the rope :)

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    2. I would be so honored to share some dyeing recipe with you!!!!

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    3. That makes me so happy my friend. I will be in touch, most likely in the New Year and we can chat dying. Can't wait!!!!

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  2. Oh how I wish I lived locally! I'd love to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea and purchase these beautiful, handmade items; both for personal use and gift giving. If you decide to ship internationally, please let me know!

    All the best in your new endeavors Kim. I'm sure you will be blessed abundantly as you bless others. xo

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    1. Oh how wonderful that would be Leisa! You will just have to plan a trip to Canada so we can do just that :)

      Once I get the shop open, I will be shipping internationally.

      Thank you my friend, for your good wishes and your kind words. xo

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  3. Kim- that soap looks good enough to eat! Gorgeous! Good luck with your creating.

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    1. Thanks Taryn, you should smell it. That one is lavender, and I did a Christmas spice batch as well. Another batch being made this week...something minty I think :)

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  4. I often think how wonderful it would be to create with a group of like minded souls, and do wish we lived closer. I loved looking at all your photos, [I've been gazing for awhile] and know what ever you do, you will do well!
    Much love
    XO

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    1. That would be amazing wouldn't it. Creating, sharing and selling our work together. It's a good dream.

      Thank you Tracey, that means a lot.

      xo

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  5. Dear Kim your creations make me want to take part in this beautiful life that is coming for you ... I'm sure will realize the great things, and the sun will shine you and your son! If I was not so far away, I would order you a few products my friend. On my side also, I think of earning a little money on my own ... you inspire me! xo

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    1. Aw, thank you Chantall, for your good wishes and your very kind words. It means the world to me to have the support of so many wonderful friends. xo

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  6. I am glad to hear that your making is fun even though you need to do it out of necessity. I do hope it stays that way. I think your not wanting to out all your eggs in one basket is very sound, I wish you all the best with your new ventures.

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    1. Yes, still fun, and I am sure it will continue to be that way. Creating is just something I love to do, it makes my soul so very happy, and if I can share creations with others, well that will make me even happier :)

      Thank you!!!!

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  7. It sounds like you are on a good path :) xo

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    1. Thank you my friend, it feels right, and allows me to continue living this life I love so much. Fingers crossed I can make it work.

      xo

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  8. Good luck good luck and even more good luck :) I'm sure whatever path you choose you'll think long and hard about and find the way that is right for you :)

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  9. You make such beautiful things and I wish you the best of luck in this new venture!!

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  10. Best of luck with your ventures. I would LOVE to purchase some of your products. Please keep us posted when you have them available online! <3

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    1. Thank you, my friend. I will definitely keep you posted. Hopefully within the first few weeks of the new year it will be up and running..just depends how quickly I figure out how to do it :)

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  11. Wonderful! Those baskets and soap look so beautiful!!

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  12. Wishing you all the luck in the world Kim. Your products are beautiful, I'm sure you will have no trouble selling them to a wider public. I think i'd travel all the way over to canada just to browse in your cottage shop and have a cuppa!
    Have you thought about writing a gardening book? what a best seller that would be!

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    1. Thank you Emma! I sure hope you are right :) You would be welcome anytime my friend, anytime.

      Hmmm...I haven't, but these days anything is a possibility.

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  13. I love your thinking :) That is a great idea that'll work. Good luck!!

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    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence Karen. xo

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  14. Thinking of you Kim...what creativity you harbor and share. Beautiful items - wish I was geographically closer to browse your offerings in person!

    http://learnathomejourney.com/

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  15. My dear Kim, so nice to hear new plans are fomenting in your creative brain. I find that making brings me to a happy place too. One day, probably when some of these littles are older, I hope to do exactly what you're doing - sell my wares locally or on etsy maybe. By the way, I'd love to learn rope basket making from you! (Let's add that to our visit itinerary, which I hope will happen this coming year!) Good luck to you in your making and selling!

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    1. They are slowly coming, and I am slowly trying to figure out what will work best with my mothering and homeschooling. I would love to show you how to make the rope baskets, they are so much fun to make, and have a meditative quality about them as you make them.

      YES!! We need to make a visit happen in 2016, let's make that a promise, okay? Can't wait!

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  16. How I wish I lived closer! I've received from you some of these beautiful items, and there are gorgeus! You are such a talented woman!

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    1. Aw, thank you my friend. I wished you lived closer too, cups of tea with you, chatting the afternoon away, would be just wonderful.

      xo

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  17. Kim I'm so in love with everything you're making!! Wow! That soap looks divine.
    I've got a whipped body butter recipe to make and we've bought some wax and wick for our annual candle making for winter Solstice. We've been making some tree ornaments as part of our homeschooling, and I'm actually knitting scarves this year for the girls which is exciting (even with all the newbie knitting flaws, I hope the kids won't notice ;) )
    Wishing you well, it's been awhile since I've popped by so I'll have to back track and see all the wonderful things you've been up to x

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    1. Thank you Isis! Sounds like you have a lot of making happening in your world too, so much fun! Enjoy!

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  18. I love this! I'm all about multiple streams of income, and it's passive income at that! It can be hard to market yourself, but I think you'll do great. I'm sure someone else has mentioned it in previous comments, but I would help spread the word about your goods for sale.
    The cottage is ADORABLE! I think your plans for both spaces are fabulous :)

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    1. Thanks Darcel, and big thanks for offering to spread the word, I might take you up on that once I get the shop up and running, I will need all the word of mouth help I can get :)

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  19. it all looks wonderful! i absolutely love the beads you added to those baskets. the salves and butters look so pretty. how don't know how you get the surface so perfect. i made lip balm in the past and it was such a mess. i wish you luck with your new adventure.

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    1. Thank you! Lots of practice, and being very careful ;)

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  20. Those baskets!! I love the wood bead embellishment, such a nice touch.

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    1. Thank you Carrie!!! I love those beads too, such a simple way to dress them up.

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  21. Oh goodness all this just makes me smile! I love it all, so beautiful. Fun, fun baskets. :)

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  22. Good luck! You are such an inspiration. I really look forward to following your new journey and growth.

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  23. I love the idea of a little shop/tea room in the cottage. How wonderful to have people come in and not only sample your beautifuly crafted things, but to get a feel for you and what your life is... Lucky people they all will be for getting to know you. I see nothing but amazing things for you my friend. Wishing you all the best. xox

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    1. Thanks Yanic. I like the idea too, just have to figure out how to make it all happen. xo

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  24. So happy for this new avenue for you and wishing you well on your path. When your internet store is up and running I would love to buy some of the hand cream you use while knitting (if avalible). So many nurses commented on how good Badger's hat smelled at the hospital. Shine my friend.

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    1. Aw, thank you.

      So many people say how wonderful my hand knits smell :) I will definitely let you know when the shop is up.

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  25. Definitely good luck, and I think that should be maybe for the self promotion part more than anything, I know how hard that is and how uncomfortable it can feel. Your soap looks amazing, and knowing how good the lemon one smells I am sure those ones smell divine! Could you combine some of your making with the Life at Nature's Pace Workshops? I think maybe a soap making workshop might be incredibly popular? And again it might be something that doesn't sit amazingly comfortably with you but have you thought about trying to create any income directly from your blog, with possibly like minded sponsorship?

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    1. Yes, that is the most difficult part for me Sally, always has been. I am working on it, and this experience will definitely help me grow in this area.

      You know me much too well, there is a medicine making workshop in January, and a soap making workshop in February :) So far there is a little bit of interest in both workshops, and I really haven't promoted them yet, waiting til after the holidays.

      I haven't added that to my list of possibilities, but it is a good idea, and something to consider. Thanks for mentioning it.

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