Feels like a wall

While doing marketing research, I ran across a BIG problem for my future business. I was making what I considered toys. I knew about using safe materials and warning that my items had small parts. What I didn't know and has put a stop to the whole thing is that, by law, I am required to submit my products to testing for toxic substances, have a certification, and have unique lot and dates for each item. This is nigh impossible to do. I don't make lots or batches, I make individual items. They are small and of mostly natural origin, but, not entirely. The eyes on the critters are plastic beads. The core of the dolls is a pipe cleaner. I can't afford to test each item, then I don't have an item to sell. I'm not in a position to make 1000 of a single doll or critter, it would take many weeks and I'd not have a variety to offer.

Now, I'm stuck with questions. Do I sell the items as art? They are unique and handmade from my own imagination. Do I not sell them at all and find something else to do? I did further looking at what I could call these. Art dolls is probably a good label. Tho' I'm not sure they qualify. And where does that leave the dragons, Nessies, Pegasus, and unicorns? Are they art dolls too? Or are they something else? I could call them miniatures since the dolls are only a little over 2" tall and the critters don't top 3", minus the wings of course. Will making these something other than toys reduce my potential for sales?



Then there is the issue of the actual marketing. I had thought that I'd be marketing to women who buy for children. Think mom, grandma, or aunt. Now who is my market? This is a huge derailment of my thoughts for a creative business. Lots of thinking instead of doing this week because of this hiccup. My conclusion so far is that I am going to have to sell myself as an artist rather than a toy maker. But, beyond that, I'm not sure what the next step is.

Until next time...

So close

Almost done with the castle. I still want to see if I can emulate a portcullis on the front door. But, I can use it as is. Next is to set up a proper photo booth so I can take better looking pictures than the little table I'm working on. I've painted the stones on the outside and stained the wood visible from the outside. There is a lot more I'd like to do to the inside making it an even better prop. But, it's usable as it is now. For which I am grateful. Honestly, I'm tired of working on the castle and would like to get back to making the dolls and critters. The original plan was to have the castle done by the end of January. I guess that's typical, that things take longer than planned.

The finish on the wood parts is a stain marker from MinWax, called Golden Oak. It was easy enough to use, but had to get some ventilation because the stuff stinks.

I'm rather pleased with the results now that it's mostly finished.

Until next time...

Finally, a logo

After showing people the first logo idea, I decided to pull things way back. Keep it simple. Just using the symbol on the door, rather than everything. I rather like how this looks. My thought is to use an even simpler version of this as a maker's mark on my critters to identify them as coming from me. Yes, it could be forged, but why bother? If someone is clever enough to copy my designs, they are clever enough to invent their own.

The castle is finally looking close to what I envisioned. I've got several colors of grey stones adorning all the outside walls and battlements. There are stones that aren't colored yet. I'm having a discussion with hubby about that. He advocates leaving them white. I'm looking at maybe leaving some of them white but introduce a blue-grey for the final color. Then, there is the issue of what to do about the wooden parts. Do I leave the wood natural? It's a light colored wood. Or do I stain it darker? But, I don't want to go too dark. I think there's enough dark in the darkest grey. More decisions and then a final push to get it done. Then, it's time to take some pictures. :)

Until next time...

Image quandary

I am making progress on the castle this week. Stones are being painted. It's just taking a lot longer than I ever anticipated. That's ok, because when I'm done, it's going to look so cool. :)

The image you see this time is one potential logo. I am certain this isn't the final. The feedback I've gotten so far is that the door is too dark. The blue symbol doesn't show up well. The hinges and doorknob seem at odds with the look. The person assumed it was a castle drawbridge opening rather than a door. All good feedback. If you'd like to leave an opinion in the comments section, I'd love to hear from you. I have a few other ideas for the logo. In fact hubby and I tried several things before we got this one. I'm going to go back and revisit some earlier versions, aiming for something simpler. 

The concept of an actual work week continues. I find that if I plan for being "at work", the chores and extra cooking & baking gets done during the off days. That and not answering every phone call. The concentrated effort is paying off. It also helps to set goals for the week. Overall, I'm pleased and plan to keep doing this. 

Until next time....

Spots and Working

I've finally finished drawing all the stones on the outside of the castle and the battlements. I was so jazzed when I finished.

Now, onto the painting. I'm starting with the darkest gray and randomly painting the different stones. Kind of looks like a Dalmatian, doesn't it?

Lesson learned: Even in a sealed bag, acrylic paint will dry out. *sigh* I tried to save the paint from yesterday, but it was a thick scummy mess. I'll be more conservative today and not put out quite as much paint, or paint longer to use it up. I'll probably be working on it longer today, so that should work out.

Speaking of working, I'm trying something new for me. I decided it was time to take myself seriously. I've talked about being an entrepreneur for years. I've even tried a few different businesses. There were the teddy bears, the herbs, and the candy. None of them were a complete failure, but I also allowed other things to take priority. During the first two of those, I was the sole breadwinner and worked out side the home. I also became a single mom which pretty much closed down the teddy bear business. It also kept the original herb business from getting off the ground.

Today, I have a sweet husband who is the breadwinner and the child is grown and has been on his own for several years now. I have the time to create a business. But, I found that I was spreading out the household chores so that I was busy with something nearly every day. I answered every phone ring. I was spending hours cruising the internet and reading blogs, forums and articles. I was playing computer games. Nothing wrong with any of that, but I wasn't getting any of my "work" done either.

Last week, I made the decision to establish a work week. The best way to do that is to follow hubby's work schedule so that we have the same days off. I started by making sure that other than the few daily chores, like keeping up with the dishes, my household tasks were done during the off days. That includes baking and cooking meals ahead. Hubby is very supportive of this idea and he assisted in making sure everything got done. So far, so good. I worked on some aspect of business for most of the day each work day last week. This is my second week and I faltered a bit yesterday. Today, I am back on task.

By taking work on the business I'm establishing seriously, it has actually created a peaceful, less stressed feeling. I'm able to focus on the preliminary work of setting up the business without feeling guilty about the household chores. And on the off days, I'm not feeling guilty about neglecting the business because, I know I'll be working again on my work days. By the way, the castle is part of the preliminary work on the business, it'll be featured as the background for the product photos.

Until next time...