Make It

Done is Better Than Perfect

A worthy mantra. (photo credit)

Road to Publication

I haven't posted on my querying progress lately because I haven't wanted to jinx it, but now, two months  into my second round of queries and many rejections (and a few requests) later, I think I'm nearing the end of the journey for my first ms, a YA urban fantasy I've titled THE MERMAID'S DAUGHTER.

I started writing sometime in June 2009. I don't remember exactly when, only that on the 13 hour drive to Boston for a wedding last June, Matt and I spent hours talking about mermaids, sea creatures, the Amish (yeah, I used some inspiration from their concept of Rumspringa), religion, and the million ways to plot a book.

The ms went through a lot of transformation and in its current form is completely unrecognizable from the notes I took on that trip. It is the first novel I've written and I'm very proud of it. I think it's smart, entertaining and different from what's on the market, but I've reached the point where I'm running out of agents that I really want to work with.

According to Querytracker (a great free resource for querying writers), I have sent out 50 queries. Plenty of other authors have sent out more and eventually gotten an agent, but I'm not looking to get any agent, I'm looking to get the right agent.

Currently a handful agents have my full ms. This is essentially the last step before getting representation, so I am still in the running at a few agencies and this is still very exciting and full of possibility. But because I'm going to stop actively researching agents and sending out new queries (with the exception of a small few I am waiting to come off of summer breaks and what not), it feels like this process is winding down.

But this isn't a sad post, it's an optimistic post because I am working on a new story, a sci-fi retelling of Rapunzel with a title so great that I don't want to post it here for fear of being poached. I feel excited about putting everything I learned from my first novel into this one to work faster, sharper, and better and hopefully be ready to query my new project at the beginning of 2011. 

I'll keep you posted.

Hook 'em Horns

Well since my last post I have not listed any new Etsy items or printed any new colors, but that's still on the list!  I did visit that local shop owner and he placed an order! So this weekend I'm working on my first wholesale order for Greenward, an eco-friendly boutique down the street from me in Cambridge. The feedback I got from the storeowner about my products and what generally does well in the store was very valuable as well. For some reason I was ridiculously nervous before going over, but that turned out to be unfounded. Maybe it was the fear of rejection.

The funny thing is, before heading over, I realized I didn't have any way to package my card sets so I spent some time on the computer coming up with a label and then put my samples into clear polypro bags like everyone else uses for stationery. When I get there, he tells me that he really liked how I had them tied up with twill tape in the shots for my Etsy store, so I can just package the card sets like that. Simple, no fuss and less packaging waste. I should have thought of that in the first place.

I'm making alot of card sets today, cutting them all with an x-acto and a metal ruler. There has to be a better way to do this. A goal for the upcoming week is to talk to some local print shops to see if they can cut paper for me. In the meantime, I'm drooling over this.

The Kutrimmer 1071. It's a beauty, but at $899 it's on my wish list along with a drying rack, flat files and a studio to put all my gear. Why is all of this stuff SO expensive?!

In other news, my very smart boyfriend got into another school: University of Texas at Austin. Any Austin fans in the house?

Good News and Bad News

So the bad news is, that magazine issue I thought I might be in is out on newsstands and I'm not in it.

The good news is: the magazine was Domino (!!!!) and they contacted me. They somehow found me via the Internet or Etsy late last year and requested some paper samples. So, even though this month won't be my big magazine debut, they still have all my info and some samples and maybe I'll pop up in another issue somewhere down the line. Also good news: my former employer, Mod Green Pod is on the cover and featured in a few interior pages! This month is their "Green Issue."

I'm putting this in the You Can Do It! category because just the fact that I was seriously considered for a national magazine less than 6 months after starting my business is still pretty cool!

Resolutions

I love New Years Resolutions. I make them every year, and even though I usually don't keep them, I like the "anything is possible" feeling that they bring.

I looked back to my resolutions post from last year and was pleased to find that I actually did really well! Funny enough, the post was when I first expressed my interest in pursuing printmaking. If you've read the blog for a while, you know my interests started with batik, then moved to block printing and has finally come to a rest with screen printing. My interest in working with pattern and color has always been consistent, and I've now found screen printing to be the right medium to put my creative ideas on paper and fabric, but the journey here has not been quick, direct, or easy (or cheap!).

My resolutions from last year, and how I did:

* Take time to cover the legal side of things: registering my business name, getting a tax id if necessary, etc.

I waited close to the end of the year to do this but in the month of October I registered rifferaff as an official business. 2008 brings my first year of paying taxes on my business.

* Take my time to test and perfect my products. Give people a reason to continue to buy handmade products by giving them my best work. Handmade does not equal poorly made.

This is a work in progress and as I become more comfortable with screenprinting and my production process  I learn the strengths and weaknesses of the technique and of my skillset. I do my best and put products out there with the hope of every customer becoming a repeat customer.

* Sell to local brick and mortar stores.

I haven't pursued this very much so I don't feel disappointment at not acheiving this goal. I got a few wholesale inquiries and sent out one wholesale order. I'm planning to put alot of effort into wholesale relationships in '08 and have my work in stores locally and abroad.

Goals for 2008

Get mentions in local and national printed press.

I'm beyond thrilled with the reception I got from craft and design blogs when I sent out my first email earlier this year. I hope to continue to work with bloggers to get the word out about my work, and also reach a new audience who may not be as 'net savvy by getting some mentions in good old fashioned newspapers and magazines. I love marketing and brainstorming new ways to get the word out, so this is one of my favorite tasks.

Formalize my visual identity.

I'm such a sucker for packaging and I know how much it can influence my decision to purchase a product. I want to be thoughtful about the design of my packaging and website in a way that communicates my brand and entices customers to take a closer look.

Bring in a regular revenue stream from rifferaff.

I don't know if 2008 will be the year for me to start working for myself full-time, but I want to get closer to that goal by bringing in a regular monthly income of some size from my work as a designer. Whether it's $200 or $2,000, it's a step in the right direction. I have so many ideas for prints on paper, fabric and custom work. A major factor is being able to shoot my own screens, so that's another important goal.

Do a better job of promoting myself in person.

I am by nature a very quiet and shy person. I am terrible at promoting my work in person or even talking about my business.  One major step to take is to get some business cards! Then get comfortable handing them out and talking about what I do.

Participate in a craft show!

What are your business resolutions for the new year? Let's check back in 2009.

Oh Heck Yeah!!!!!

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/10/rifferaff.html

: )

New Years Resolutions

I hope you all had a happy holiday and new year.

In 2007 my goal is to take steps to make my dream of a small creative business a reality. When I opened my Etsy account, I just posted pics of jewelry I made but I didn't give much thought to marketing, packaging, or even pricing. This time around, I want to do it right and give RiffeRaff the attention it deserves.

* Take time to cover the legal side of things: registering my business name, getting a tax id if necessary, etc.

* Take my time to test and perfect my products. Give people a reason to continue to buy handmade products by giving them my best work. Handmade does not equal poorly made.

* Sell to local brick and mortar stores.

I think this is a good starting point.  I'm still working out what exactly it is I want to sell, I have an interest in a wide range of crafts but what can I do that: a) works in my apartment, b) would be profitable c) works to my strengths.

I think I may have found the answer in printmaking. I had a Eureka moment last week when I decided to try getting some linoleum blocks and carving prints. I've done a few test runs on fabric and paper and I'm loving the results.

What did you resolve to do with your small business? Let's meet back in 2008 (whoa!) and compare notes.

Start a Business with only $100?

Aspiring entrepreneur Carolynn Duncan, has begun an experimental project where she will use only $100 to start a business in 30 days with the goal of making at least a $100 profit to start a new business the next month...A lot of money isn’t necessary to start a business. It can help, but it isn’t necessary. When you are on a tight budget you are forced to be creative and leverage the resources you have.

Follow her progress on http://hundreddollarbusiness.wordpress.com/
[Source]

Book Deal for Betz

Betz White is on fiyyah!

If you haven't checked in to her blog lately, click over to read about her latest very exciting news regarding her book deal. Yay Betz!

Also read her recap of her weekend experience at the Country Living Fair, complete with pics.

In just the few months I've been corresponding with Betz since meeting her via my blog, I've watched her craft business grow by leaps and bounds. It's exciting and very inspiring to read about the developments in her business via her blog posts. I think she's a great example of someone who has a very specific area of expertise, has become an expert in their field and is now reaping the sweet rewards.

Little Words of Wisdom

Excerpts from an indie business profile of Little Flower Designs on Craft Revolution:

What is the biggest lesson you've learned since opening your company?
  A good accountant is essential.

What keeps you going?
  The dream, the need to make this as big as possible.

[More here.]