Join me at CraftyCon 2010!

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I’m excited to announce that I’ll be a panelist for the Time Management session of CraftyCon 2010 this October.  The conference was created for crafters, by crafters.  The organizers were looking  to provide an opportunity for craft professionals (current and aspiring) to network with each other, get superb business training, and have an opportunity to get their craft on! The three day conference is filled with incredible speakers, hands-on craft workshops, and a little shoulder rubbing with some of the craft industries best business gurus.

I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned in terms of time management and home-office organization—this should be especially useful if you’re looking to eventually grow your business beyond your home.  How do you get there?  When do you know it’s time to delegate?  (And how do you delegate?)  What do you do about all those little tasks that keep getting bumped to the back burner, because you’d rather work on something more exciting?  I’ll try to answer those questions and more, and share some tips that should help you become more productive and profitable.  And of course, there are dozens of other sessions designed to inspire, educate and promote industry connections.

Register now to take advantage
of Early Bird pricing!

Supporting a fellow femailler

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Blue Buddha is proud to be sponsoring Janine V (of Athena’s Armory) in her efforts for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure.  She is walking 60 miles and looking to raise $2,300 in the fight against breast cancer.

We have donated thousands of pink anodized aluminum jump rings (and some enameled copper ones, too) for Janine’s new Pink Warrior Chain Maille Collection.  All proceeds from the sale of items from the Pink Warrior Collection to go straight to her fund raising efforts.

Read more about the event and our sponsorship on her blog…and then check out the jewelry she makes.  Good luck and much success to you, Janine!

Making the world better one good deed at a time

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I did my good deed for the day.  I can’t go into detail without perhaps painting a competitor in a bad light, so I won’t.  Suffice it to say, I did something that will barely benefit me, but will help a competitor (and all my peers/customers/friends who deal with this competitor) avoid a potentially bad situation.

Why did I do it?  Well, mostly for the peers/customers/friends, whom I like and respect very much. Many of them have helped me in the past.  And maybe, too, I did it ’cause I still believe that baby steps change the world.  Reaching out and helping someone—even someone traditionally considered “the enemy”—can be empowering.  I feel good.  Nothing like a bit of altruism to get my brain neurons all worked up in that “warm and fuzzy” sort of way.  I sometimes contemplate what the world would be like if everyone acted selflessly.  Or at least, a bit more so.

One of the bead stores where I teach has a document displayed in the employee area, encouraging workers to go out and smile and make someone’s day.  Such good advice.  On this dreary, snowy day in March, I humbly ask you to do the same.  Make someone grin today, or help a person you wouldn’t normally help.  I’m not a blind idealist. I know that some recipients won’t appreciate your gesture.  But I hope you’ll try again.  Because most people DO like it when others make them feel good, and perhaps, they in turn will make someone else’s day.  Small flaps of a butterfly’s wings, rippling around the world.

Oh, and P.S.  Don’t ask me via email for more details about my good deed, ’cause I won’t tell (and I’ll think less of you for asking, since I specifically said not to.) So don’t do it.  Just get out there and do your own good deed. :-)