Running in Circles

January 14, 2008.

So....ya um I am a bit behind on blogging, posting, eating, bathing  basically even cleaning my house.  I have had a crazy week and it is only getting crazier....and you know a cold is a comin'.  I am seriously having a real hard time concentrating because I seem to have so much on my list.

Scrabble Dabble Do

I think I have mentioned over and over how hard it is running a business, let alone one in a down economy.  Sales are down for us, and we still chug along.  I am faced to really go hard after sales right now and find some great partnerships for Jamie's Painting & Design.  

Last week I had a great meeting with a catalog about designing some exclusive products for them.  We started looking at 6 name plaques, 6 birth certificates and 2 of our brand spanking new products.   It was so fun to start the year off with a great new partnership.....then I got the deadline.   Today.  Excited - yes, almost impossible - yep!  Good news is I work great under pressure - I work fast and I will finish.....

What Else Can We Do?

I am starting this Fund-raising project that I think will generate some new business for us.  I also think it gets our name out there, and it is good to be involved in the community.  I have talked with a few friends at different schools and am feeling really good about some projects we will be able to do.  Also I am doing my very first "In Studio" class if you will for a Girl Scout Troop.  I have taught art before, I teach it at my son's school - I should be okay right?  

With the Economy down I find that if I am not busy - well I will go crazy from stress.  So this little project is going to not only help with the bottom line but more importantly it keeps me busy.  The plan is for them to go through all the same processes that I go to to design a product, however I will use an artist as an "Inspiration" and teach them about a certain way of using paint, pens or crayons.  Then let them make the product, tie the ribbon - do all the fun things we do at Jamie's Painting & Design.

Twits, Tweets All on Twitter

I don't know what it is about 2009 but I can not seem to get enough Twitter.  I find I am checking it all the time - a bit obsessed, maybe?  It is interesting information, interesting people - I try to follow people that interest me, ones that follow me - reporters, etc.  Not sure what I did right (or wrong) but I am picking up followers like every ten minutes - really, no idea what I did to get them following me.  But like I said - totally enjoying it.  If you want to follow me and think I have something interesting say (don't laugh some days I do) you can follow me here.

A Little Press is Good for the Soul

I have mentioned before that I subscribe to HARO (Help A Reporter Out) for queries that reporters, magazine editors, TV Producers and Bloggers subscribe to.  You get three emails a day with a list of subjects and what the reporters are looking for.  Most times they do not pertain to me, but some days they do.  I have pitched a story, or two - maybe three.  I finally got a bite.  

Next Saturday a local magazine is coming over to photograph my two children's room, and my garage/play room (that was once my studio).  They originally said they were coming in April....I thought great, I can tidy them up by April.  The date was wrong  - it is NEXT SATURDAY!!!!

I am trying not to have a nervous breakdown, not to mention I have picked up a cold.....I know the room(s) will look great.  I am also thinking I can direct them in the right area for a photograph....("uh ya no not that section, that is where the dog ate a portion of our carpet, hey look at those great tiles on the wall!")

  

When Going Tough The Tough gets A Cold

Yep, I have a cold, and it is a doozy.   On top of everything else I get sick - and I know, I know, I got it because of the stress.....oh well.  I am going to keep chugging (Orange Juice that is) and try to work through this one.  No time for a sick Mom.  

Keep You Posted

I will take before and after pictures of my children's rooms (these are from two years ago when we were on View From the Bay, a local TV show exactly two years ago)....I don't have much work to do but I do have to do some spiffin' up, cleaning up and touching up of scuff marks.  The garage is another story all together - too many toys to count and I am always shoving stuff in corners, or moving items around they no longer play with.  Not to mention the laundry that is out there....

I will keep you posted.  I am hoping 2009 continues to look up..or out, or uh better?  Whatever it is, it has got to be better than the end of 2008.....right?

Comments

[Kris]

Hi Jamie!

It's true the economy is down and while we all hope for things to turn around. Your product is SO CUTE and your are always coming out with cute new items, I am sure things will look up for you in 2009!!!

Also, your childrens rooms are adorable, best wishes on your photo spread. I am sure you will get things done for it, while beating a cold.

Feel better soon, Kris

[London E]

The rooms look great already and I know the garage is awesome. So no worries, you will get it done just like you always do! But one question. Why do all your paint bottles have a "J" labeled on them? ARe you worried that Darin will steal them? LOL!
It reminds me of college when we would label all our casette tapes (okay, so I just dated myself) and even food with our initials to keep the rommies hands off everyone elses junk. too funny!