DoubleC

Thanks Kevin. It was a big hurdle; one I've wanted to accomplish for months now. I can wait to do any more because frankly it was exhausting. And I have projects I need to be working on here. But I'm still elated at actually doing it. Cold sales are hard for anyone I think and for me to get out my door is a difficult enough task on most days. I'm really happy about how it went. Cheryl

I hope so Bill. I'd like to meet some of these really talented people we have in this town. It would be interesting and fun. I just need to be patient and keep to my plan and see what happens. Thanks, Cheryl

Thanks Phil. It was scary to think about but not to do in the end. I spent 7 hours the day before getting those straps ready to go because they were all my earlier work, and the things I DIDN'T do then was glaring at me, Burnishing, rough holes, things like that. By the time I was done I was quite in love with them again. I called them my 'toddlers' to my job coach :-) I've done ok, not great but ok on Etsy with my jewelry so there's a market, I sold three piece to a vet who specializes in ophthalmology in CA. So maybe that is my target group, I don't know. I need to check with my own vet probably. I'm just getting started so still lots to explore. But I've gotten over the first hurdle of just getting out there and letting my little toddlers be seen. Thanks again, Cheryl

It's not as scary when you're doing it as your imagination builds it up to be before. Trust me, 2 days ago I thought I was having a heart attack my anxiety was so high. Thank you David. Cheryl

Wouldn't have guessed you for a featherweight guy Art, but I do see your point when I lug these things around. Cheryl

I was just getting ready to write you. Yes I know commission and consignment isn't an ideal situation but it gets me a chance to have my work seen. Actually until I get some more made up the longer they take to sell the better. That's the more people get to see them locally. And hopefully order custom straps. So I hope it works out like that. He said when I had more to just go ahead and bring them in if I wanted. It was a great day Bill, it truly was. And no one really owns the gallery. He provides the space for local artists, and the artists themselves staff it. I wouldn't mind doing that too once in a while because I haven't gotten to spend nearly enough time in it looking around. Great day but really exhausted right now. Cheryl

Can you believe I really did it? No panic, no running screaming through the streets, LOL but man I'm worn out now.

OH I am so proud that I did it, and so tired now that it's done. But today made the return trip to the music store tomorrow look like nothing. Thank you so much, Cheryl

With the third possibly going in a music store tomorrow when we speak to the owner. The guys working were very positive. The Art Gallery is run by a Jeweler and 40% of the proceeds go to the art programs in the schools. What a win-win. Might seem like it would be better to sell them without a commission but I like the idea of helping the local schools keep their artistic programs, music, drama, art. The music store charges 30% commission but it's a great place to get my work seen by locals since it's the only one around here. I was a little disappointed that the store I took my jewelry to specifically, thought my things were 'too country and western' for their clients. I guess I had never viewed it that way, unique and different, but not country and western. She also said it was a little 'spooky' LOL. I kinda liked that. So anyway the Jewelry will go with me to the tack consignment place along with my rhythm beads. Once I got out the door things went very easy. Caitlin, the job coach that went with me was a big help. Doing things like giving out her business cards, and mine, and collecting them from other people which I probably would have forgotten. People were nice and I enjoyed it a great deal. For once we had a beautiful sunny fall day. Overall it was a big success. Just doing it and not freaking out would have been success enough. I liked the comments I got from the store owner who thought my jewelry was country and western type stuff. I honestly hadn't ever considered that. It gave me new ideas on what my target market is. Thank all of you who helped get me out the door this morning and earlier. I wanted to write each of you individually and I will just as soon as I can catch my breath. Cheryl

Absolutely stunning, Cheryl

LOL, I'd love to try some of your ideas, especially about the art display, so donate away to ME. I mean how can 3 be enough? Cheryl

That's a good idea Allen. I can sell the ones I didn't get full payment for because they weren't personalized. With initials etc. would be hard to do that. Need to make my form so it includes that. And get better at just saying no if they don't want to pay up front.

You folks are making this so hard. Now I really do want to go to Sweden, could visit two friends on the same trip and pick up a sewing machine. How fun that would be. Better start saving my pennies TODAY. Don't be surprised you two :-) Cheryl

Thanks Bigfoot!!! Cheryl

Allen I wish I could be that strict. I should have waited to make the cuts but didn't ever think I wouldn't get the money. So from now on it's 50% down to cut. That way I won't be out anything....but all my stuff is personalized, well no it's not, it's custom, so I don't mind going with 50% because it's just another item I'll have finished for Etsy. But I am working on one that is personalized, and that one I'm doing as a gift so I don't mind.

Wish I could leave to Knut. How nice it would be to be in a world for a short time and just talk about leather and sewing machines, and which hand do you use hand stitching. Who your favorite leather worker is, you know things that life doesn't interfere with. Plus who WOULDN'T want to go to Sweden? I was in Germany, Switzerland and Italy years ago. So don't be surprised if you hear a knock (yeah right after I win a lottery I don't play and pigs fly) Still a nice dream. Cheryl

And the next time I'm in Sweden I plan to make you a good offer on it, LOL. Cheryl

A friend of mine said I need to make up a form and charge 50% non refundable up front for a cutting fee. I'm going to do that. I am just not good enough yet at collecting money from people. That way at least I won't be out any money, like I am on two orders I took on. I think maybe even I am finally fed up and that takes a lot. Cheryl

I agree with Mike, well not because they are pretty, but I recently talked to someone about him selling his Boss and didn't realize he was in Sweden. I would have immediately realized at LEAST he wasn't in the USA even if I didn't know what country the flag was from. Cheryl

I don't have a local Tandy, how would I get them replaced? Thanks Aaron, Cheryl

LOL, Aaron, I got them from a seller at eBay that sells all tandy things. I can't so that to him, besides it was a long time ago. Just another 'stupid tax' I paid by not knowing what I was doing. But you know? Pounding them into a rock might be fun since I don't use them, and would never pass them on to some unsuspecting soul!!!!!

I haven't bought a tandy tool in a long time so I didn't know that Aaron. I bought an older alphabet set on here from someone and those stamps are great, but they're craftool USA. I am only going by the 'starter 6 and wooden mallet' I got from them back when. The beveler was enough to almost make me quit leatherwork, thought I just couldn't do it. But it was the tool that couldn't do it. Cheryl

Well it doesn't help that Tandy snaps don't. Their stamps weren't worth $7.99 much less an increase. They have the worst quality of any well known tool maker. But I quit buying things from them a long time ago. Cheryl

You will get a ton of advice but if you're looking for a versatile machine that will do all of that EXCEPT sew 1/2" leather, it's a singer 15-91. It will sew anything you can shove under the foot which is 1/4th inch. It has a potted motor, all gear driven and it's really a beast. It has forward and reverse. No tension issues, not picky, not a finicky machine. Stick the material under it and go. It doesn't have a huge bobbin but it can be removed and replaced without moving the needle. And I got mine for $54.00 shipped WITH an antique cabinet. Did I mention I love mine? Cheryl