PROJECT TIME

Well everyone, it is that time of year again......must be fall because we have not had summer yet and July is almost over....



I'll be paying heating bills instead of air conditioning bills.(Only had the A/C on 2 days)






The gardens are already starting to look sad... All this rain and cool weather has not been kind to my flower beds and I added about 20 feet to the front beds. Some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow. Their feet are cold and wet.






So, what does one do when you can't go out and play in the sun? My house has never been cleaner (except when hubby goes hunting---clean once and it stays that way---at least until he gets home).






Crafts, that's what. I have gotten a head start on another afghan, made some baby sweaters, bonnets and booties. I guess you can say Mother Nature is my motivation to get these projects done now! Now my fingers are stiff and sore from all that knitting and crocheting and not from listing items for my Bonanzle booth. I will also be making some Christmas Peppermint Candy wreaths.( I have listed some things...I am not slacking off totally ).





All of the above brings me to my point of this blog. Don't waste the bad weather days. Things are pretty quiet on the e-commerce sites during the summer months. Use this time to build up inventory, clean up your booths, do listings and above all else make your business plan for the upcoming holiday season. This will save you a tremendous amount of stress come September when things start hopping again. You will be so proud of yourself....and you will feel contentment knowing that your shelves have been dusted, the floors are washed and polished, inventory all neatly placed in your booth and you are sitting waiting for the onslaught of all those holiday shoppers. (okay....now I am tired...did I just clean all of your booths).






I don't know how you all feel about this, but something I have incorporated in my "Business Plan" for the upcoming season is a LAYAWAY PLAN. This is not something new. It has been around for eons. I cannot think of a better way to motivate buyers to spend, especially in this tough economy. I think it is good customer relations too... inspire them to plan ahead and reduce their stress over holiday shopping. They can choose their purchases wisely, stay within their budget and have it all paid off before having ever given the gifts to their loved ones. (Does that not make you feel all warm and fuzzy....does me).



Another thing I have been trying to do is source out some relatively inexpensive and useful stocking stuffers. I have managed to come up with a few and I hope they will be a hit.







You can check out my booth at







http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx_stuff







Am I rushing the season? Nope I don't think so. All the B&M stores are buying next springs fashions now. Lets all have a stress free holiday season. Okay so now I'm motivated... I'm going to go check my Christmas lights.....maybe I should put them up now.......








Just kidding.





Til next time ...be happy ...be safe...



Jinx

PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX EVERYONE

Hi everyone....



Okay so I said I would try to increase the frequency of my blogs.....oops



I guess life just happens to get in the way of trying to do everything. It has been a hectic summer already and it has only just begun.....I am going to have to learn to either say no or get some lessons on how to set priorities.

Anyway, what I want to talk about today is something that has been bothering me for quite some time and now feel that I have to deal with it. It is not a pleasant subject so here goes....



Why oh why are people so mean. I have been reading the forums on several sites and have noticed that some people can be really mean, arrogant and very opinionated to the point of belittling other sellers.Do these people not have enough of their own work to do? They should not be telling other people how to run their business or their lives.



This not only happens at Bonanzle but other venues as well. I came across a poem which might give people some food for thought.



GRANDMA'S PEARLS OF WISDOM



I've travelled paths you've yet to walk

Learned lessons old and new

And now this wisdom of my life

I'm blessed to share with you



Let kindness spread like sunshine

Embrace those who are sad

Respect their dignity, give them joy

And leave them feeling glad



Forgive those who might hurt you

And though you have your pride

Listen closely to their viewpoint

Try to see the other side



Walk softly when you're angry

Try not to take offense

Invoke your sense of humor

Laughter's power is immense



Express what you are feeling

Your beliefs you should uphold

Don't shy away from what is right

Be courageous and be bold



Keep hope right in your pocket

It will guide you day by day

Take it out when it is needed

When it's near, you'll find a way



Remember friends and family

Of which you are a precious part

Love deeply and love truly

Give freely from your heart



The world is far from perfect

There's conflict and there's strife

But you can still make a difference

By how you live your life



author unknown



I hope everyone will think about the words in this poem....and the next time before you take a strip off someone's back you will stop and think before you type.



I have been fortunate that no one has taken a strip off my back, but I cannot help but feel some emotions for those that I have seen this happen to. Life is too short. And so now I say



PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX..... we all have to get along.



I have not injected much humor into this blog as I believe this subject is just way to serious to joke about.



Now for some fun stuff....check out my booth at http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jinx

I have added some new items and will be adding more over the next few days. I also plan to add a "Layaway" program. Christmas is coming..... LOL (not that far away actually)



So till next time...Be Safe ...Be Happy...



Jinx