And even better this means that I have more time to focus on my second shop that I opened November 2017. So here's a little backstory about this shop and why I opened it.
Back in August of 2016, I started my first bullet journal. I liked the idea of getting my stuff together and getting things out of my head. But it wasn't until I was laid up with my knee surgery in December of that year that I discovered a whole planner community out there that used all kinds of planners and all kinds of stickers. I watched a lot of planner YouTube videos and couldn't seem to get enough - but then again I was in a lot of pain and couldn't bend my knee past 30 degrees so what else do you do?
I started toying around with a new idea of creating my own stickers. I already had a Silhouette, so I figured I could do it too. But nothing happened because my focus was then on getting back on my feet and figuring out how to survive all day with two kids, one who could only crawl but could crawl faster than I could walk. It wasn't until summer when I was really back to [almost] normal speed again that I bought up the idea to Rob about the idea of opening a second shop to sell planner stickers. Truthfully I thought he was going to think it was a silly idea so I was ready with all kinds of information to support my idea. But he thought it was a great idea immediately.
I then started the road to finding artwork and figuring out my own stickers kits I wanted to sell. And I found that I enjoyed the process. It was a true creative process that I had first longed for from the jewelry shop but never really got. I found my groove, figured out what I wanted to sell, the prices, and on November 1, 2017 I opened my second Etsy shop, Beautiful Mess Plans Co, which really became a labor of love.
And I did it all quietly without anyone but Rob knowing. I think there was part of me that wanted to find this success without putting it here on the blog or anywhere where I might get sells due to already knowing me. I wanted to get my feet under me before I really shared what I was up to.
And I did. Five months after I opened the shop I broke even and started making a profit. I found myself enjoying each month when it was time for new releases because that meant new artwork and new designs. I was doing good, finding success, and enjoying what I was doing. And even better I was helping out financially around here even if it was just a little bit each month which for a stay-at-home mom I needed that feeling.
So the decision to close the jewelry shop which had done me well was an easy one. It was one I was ready for. I found what I really enjoyed doing and wanted to focus on that. So now that's how I spend my days - well at least my nap times. I design, I cut stickers, I put together orders. And when I'm having a crummy day and just want to take a nap, I still can do that knowing my shop will survive me taking a day off.
So that's the big secret I have been keeping for about 6 months now but cats out the bag! My original shop is closed. I no longer sell jewelry. I do sell planner stickers and although that is a weird sentence, I am enjoying all of it.
You can check out my shop here. And my shop Instagram here.
And I'll be back at some point to talk more about what I do and how people use the stickers and what the planners are for those that are interested, but for now I wanted to share my secret and my story.
Have a great weekend!
Happy Friday!
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