Getting ready for the New Year

I've been thinking today about the New Year and how I could make my small business a little bit bigger next year.

As most of you know, we're in the beginning stages of creating my classroom. I've emptied out the basement of all my supplies, and next week they're coming to start the waterproofing work. The next phase would be Rick doing all the electrical work: adding lighting, outlets, etc. After that, a carpenter will come in and put up drywall, a new floor & ceiling. Then, it's my turn ... I get to design how I want my classroom laid out with cabinets, shelving & tables ... and then, I finally move in down there! Ooooh! I just got goosebumps! My supplies haven't really been organized in over 6 years!

In the meantime, all my supplies for my SU business have been semi-organized all around my family room so I can access everything I need. I also have all my Ranger supplies close at hand cause I really love getting grungy too. And, my tools ... love my tools ... die cutting machines & dies, punches, paper cutters, brad makers, eyelet setters, box makers, book makers, and more! Oops, just had to wipe the drool from the corner of my mouth. lol

Anyway, my sunporch is also packed to the brim with stuff ... loads & loads of STUFF ... boxes & boxes of past projects & samples, old stamp sets, scrapbook supplies, boxes & boxes of books (love my craft books!), and tons of items I've been collecting over the years for possible class projects. Which brings me back to the beginning of this post ... what can I do to make my business grow? I need to get more orders, so I need to get more workshops booked, or get more customers, or ...

A new monthly class! It's called "PROJECT ORDER" class, and we're going to make dimensional projects (anything that's NOT a card or scrapbook page)! It could be 3 little projects, or maybe 2 projects, or even one intense project, who knows! It could be using Stampin' Up!, or Distress Inks, polymer clay, or even Suze Weinberg's melting pot. I'll be cleaning out all the items I've been collecting and creating projects for the monthly class. I'm going to charge $20, and each month your supply list might change a little ... you might need Sticky Strip instead of SNAIL Adhesive, or you might need to bring some photos ... we'll just have to wait & see.

But, here's the best part (and where the 'order' comes in) ... the class will be FREE each month if you place a $30 order! So, for just $10 more, you'll still make great projects, but you'll also be receiving $30 worth of goodies! Why didn't I think of this sooner?!

So, I've set a tentative date of Friday, January 8th at 7:30pm for the first Project Order class (I just have to check the date with my very special friend & customer, Miss Denise). I hope everyone's as excited as I am about all the possibilities this class will bring!

Now, I gotta get back to work on the projects I've been making to sell at my Vendor Fair on Friday night, Dec. 18th at Westwood High School. I've misplaced my camera (I'm DYING without it!), so I can't post photos of my finished items so far. You'll just have to come see me at the fair!