And I thought one blog was a lot of work...

So, I've been helping to organize an art show that will be happening this summer (Saturday, July 26th) called Bella Faire - Art in the Garden. I volunteered to create the blog (or web-site) for the group, http://www.bellafaire.blogspot.com/. I also volunteered to create the post cards were sending out to promote the show. Plus, I took it upon myself to list the show on a few web-sites:

Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/events/tacoma-bella-faire---art-in-the-garden-art-show-and-market

FeedTacoma.org: http://www.feedtacoma.com/events/event.php?e=1266

I've submitted notices to the

Seattle Times - NW Source events column - www.seattletimes.com

Urban Fashion Network- http://www.urbanfashionnetwork.com/

and on the Seattle's EtsyRain - (http://craftsellers.meetup.com/82/ )-message board - a group that I belong to that promotes western Washington artists who have shops on Etsy.com.

There are other artist's who will be promoting the show - but I just wanted to do my part.

I'm hoping that we get some sort of exposure and at the very least we get our name out there and people will come check us out at the very least. Sales would just be the cherry on the top of the Sunday.

So, if you live in the South Puget Sound region and find some extra time on your hands, please come visit us.

Yeah! I did it and survived to tell the tale!!!!

What did I do? I paid my 1st quarter taxes last night (nothing like waiting for the last moment). Thank god, for electronic filing and e-checks. I have a sneaking suspicion that I might have over paid my taxes - only because my records weren't as "organized" as they should be - but I'd rather over pay then under pay - it's just more pleasant to find out that you erred in your favor. My biggest worry is that I didn't complete the forms correctly - but the silver lining to this dark cloud is that I'm sure I'll find out sooner rather than later if I made any mistakes (That is if the Department of Revenue notices).

Because I haven't had any sales in the first month of the second quarter, I'm going to use this time to organize my financial paper work - just in case I get audited. According to the fine folks from the Department of Revenue - it's not if you get audited, it's when - so I want to be prepared. Sounds pretty ominous - doesn't it?

And finally, next week I'll get a taste of what it's like to be a full time artisan/business owner. I'll be at home all next week getting ready for my next jewelry show sponsored by my Etsy Street Team: EtsyRain in Edmonds. I'm excited about this show for two reasons: 1. It's an opportunity to make more money (my checking account is looking a little anemic) and 2. I'll get to meet more members of the team - some of them I know through the groups I belong to on Flickr and Etsy, and some that I've actually met at other shows like "I Heart Rummage" and classes. I'm hoping it's fun, I'm hoping it's profitable, I'm hoping to meet lots of cool people - I'm hoping that next week is productive and I walk away with a feeling of being satisfied with what I was able to accomplish.

So, my goals for next week are:

1. Take more photos of my jewelry.

2. Post more inventory on Etsy.

3. Have more productive sessions at my jewelry bench.

4. Organize my financial paperwork.

5. Get ready for my next show.

6. Meet with my co-organizers of my Bella Faire art show in Tacoma.

7. Design and get the web-site for the Bella Faire up and running.

8. Take Bruce for a walk every day next week.

9. Set up a routine for me to follow through out the week.

10. Start a feature on my blog dedicated to the artist's who's own web-sites drive lots of traffic to my web-site (Whew! That was a mouth full!). I'm also thinking of hosting a give-away once a month - maybe.

It's good to have goals. Better if you meet them.