Starting the shop up...Again

So I have added a couple things to my shop! I read a quote in a book that said "Don't wait until everything is perfect to start, just start!" It's really hard for me, and without even realizing it, I've been struggling with that for a long time. It tempers my creativity so much when I start worrying what people will think, and how silly the shop will look with only a few things (who am I kidding, it looks sillier empty.) I've spent too much time paying attention to others and what they're capable of, and downplaying what I can do, that I crippled myself! Ugh, but enough focus on that. Here are some of the recent pictures, I'm gonna kinda let them stand alone and hope you come visit my shop!

How My Garden Grows

Here in the South especially, so much is said through tone and facial expression. One word can hold the meaning of a sentence. With all that being said:

Y'all...

Seriously, I had no idea that things would take off as they did where my garden is concerned. Also, did I mention the business of selling tree seedlings? Yeah, well running that business turned out to be work, because things were selling really well!

Potato plant grown from an old potato

 Dad left me completely in charge of replying to inquiries because he was at his 9-5 and didn't have time to research the answers. I've spent almost as much time on the computer as I've spent shipping plants from Monday through Thursday. I didn't realize that I could be obsessive until now. I checked and rechecked tracking to be sure the plants arrived quickly, researched several different sources before answering questions, and looked up different plants I was considering selling.
Then the first person with a complaint emailed; he said that he thought his persimmon seedling was dead. It had only taken two days to reach him so I was skeptical, but then I researched it and realized that if the plant sat on his porch for a couple hours it could easily wilt. Reading further I found that it's just now a good idea to ship through summer, so from June 1st through September 1st I get a break! I'm using this time to reorder, and also to reconsider.
I hope that through diligent planning, I can start sewing and begin my own business before the year is over. Perhaps if I set up my schedule early, I can be prepared in advance to have time-even just a couple hours a day! As you can see, by my garden I also meant my life in general! I've just joined an Instagram challenge that starts next week. Most of the time I just feel too worn out to take "perfect" pictures and I'm hoping that the challenge will actually help me out because I would like to use Instagram effectively for my business as well!

Anyway, I'll leave you with this picture of my squash. Look over here to see what they started out looking like...And no, I haven't stopped being awestruck by them or talking to them to "help them grow". 

Metamorphosis-progress shots from start to finish

I bought this skirt and decided to add straps to it. Wait, that's not quite true. I have been itching to make jumpers for awhile, the ones that are like overalls, but with skirts. I think they're the cutest. Then, what do you know, but suddenly they're in style! I bought this skirt thinking that it was cute, but also understated and would make a great foundation for adding things to. 

Then I added grommets and straps (I made this process sound like it took muuuuuch less time than it did.) It still needed something else, so I cut out flowers and added them to the side front of the dress. 

Cutting out the flowers

Stitching them on

And then ta-daaaaa! I should have taken better pictures, but I'm going to have just redo those....

Lizzi

Iced in and okay

Icy trees are so beautiful!

I'm sure you've heard about all the complaints you care to about Georgia weather huh? My family has a lot to be thankful for. Our power didn't go out for the first (a couple weeks ago) or second (yesterday) storm! We were holed up here in the house "enjoying" each other's company. I just wanted to show a few little pictures of what the outdoors looks like.

The deck looked so pretty, I didn't step out on it though.

Monnie enjoying the outdoors

Monnie and Nece made dinner last night-chili-and as usual managed to argue and/or sing the whole entire time. They definitely get props for multitasking. Dad has worm beds downstairs, yes, it's basically what it sounds like. He has containers of dirt with worms in them, he feeds them and hangs out with them. "Bonding with the worms" is the phrase I use when anyone asks where he's at. Mom spent a lot of our "iced-in" time cross-stitching and reading when she wasn't on her cleaning spree. I managed to alter a pattern that I hope to have available soon and did some piano practicing. Hey, please check out IG to keep up with me (link below.) 

Enjoy the weather y'all!

Elisabeth Arona

Pinterest, instagram, and me.

How is your day going? My mom just made me breakfast (for which I was super grateful, these things don't happen often since I became a "big girl") and she is now sitting eating herself. It's pretty dreary out, which makes those plans to go to the library today seem pretty dumb. Since I stayed up last night until after 2 am reading a mystery, I'm looking through somewhat bleary eyes. It's too bad I don't drink coffee. 

The girls are doing their school work, the younger complaining about having to put her spelling words in alphabetical order, and the older wanting to take bathroom breaks and open the blinds every few minutes. Why is it that weather like this makes a person feel so lazy? Far be it from me to fight it...Juuuust kidding. I am still planning to sew today. I have a great knit with hearts on it that I think is pretty cute.

So have you gotten around to finding me on Pinterest?

I'm right HERE.

Since I'm a Pinterest addict now (never thought I would say that) I have made it a daily necessity to find something too cute for words on there to pin. 

I have also decided *drum roll* to start a IG account for Arona Designs. You can now find me there under the username aronadesigns. Pretty cool!

Also, regarding those fashion sketches that I was going to do...I'm gonna revise that plan. As long as it's a fashion illustration it will qualify...every week I will put on up.

Elisabeth Arona

Belt loops and young love

Here I am in the middle of making the belt loops for the bridal gown I'm altering. Fun, right? I actually did secretly enjoy doing the chains from thread, no real sewing required. I did it all while watching old episodes of project runway! :-)

So here is something a little different from what I normally do...But alas, that's what love will do to you. I made this for my boyfriend and was so anxious for him to see it that I didn't do some of the extra things I could have to clean it up and make sure it looks extra nice. I have to admit though, I did LOVE the final product. At first it was going to be a sketch, then I decided to do it as a silhouette then I wouldn't have to explain to him why I couldn't get his face just right (btw the reason is his looks so good I couldn't do it justice *winkwink*.) I put this silhouette up as a custom listing in my etsy shop FYI and will give a good deal to any fellow CAST team member. 

More pictures hopefully before the end of the week...

Until then,

Elisabeth Arona

Solopreneur--(heartheart)

I love the word solopreneur. I'm not sure if the other day was the first time I'd ever heard the word, or if it was just the first time it had really hit me. Maybe it has something to do with me noticing that there are a buncha mompreneur blog sites and stuff, but there are no single-girl-preneur blog sites! I only bring this up because I am "at" a twitter webinar about being a solopreneur and it's making me feel special *silly giggle*.

I know I keep reminding you that I said I was gonna keep you posted (business thingy) but it's only because I don't want you to feel like I am just showing off all my new stuff for no reason even though I kinda am. Last night I was up late and just was so excited because I bought a craft knife to cut pages out of a vintage dictionary during the day and had been cooking so no time to use it! BUT I used it:

   

     

I took these pictures with my phone because my lame batteries for my camera are outta power. Boo!

By the way, in case you were wondering what I cooked/was eating the reason I didn't have time to craft here it is below:

Fried rice, stir-fry veggies, wontons with cream cheese and spinach inside, and coconut chicken drummettes :-)

Elisabeth Arona

What keeps you from working?

What is your latest/greatest creation? 

Progress you say?

Ahhh yes, I have been all business. Here is a little of what I've been up to this week.

Julia's shirt.

• 1. Just started couponing and spent all Monday cutting out coupons and checking out the krazy coupon lady website for deals and came in under budget for our weekly groceries! WOOT!
• 2. Made one of the shirts-that I designed-for Julia/jeweleighab and will be sending it out tomorrow hopefully.
• 3. Am halfway through with another dancer illustration.
• 4. Cooked a different meal (bleu cheese chicken) and was successful.
• 5. Gave my little sister her first sewing lesson.

As you can see, I'm really feeling something special about how this week has gone :-) Now time to get more accomplished!

Elisabeth Arona

A quick update...

Did I not tell you that I would keep you posted on how this whole starting a business thing is going every step of the way? Well, here is my latest step:

I made a pattern and made this shirt from it. Pattern making is not my favorite thing, because it doesn't necessarily come naturally to me; however, I was told by a friend that only dying comes naturally. Not so sure about that one...

What do you think? I will obviously have to take more (and better) pictures, but right now I'm not at the place where I can buy a lot of fabric and make it in a buncha different shirts, but soon I'll probably have them in S, M, L and you'll find them at my super-convenient etsy shop of course! As for progress, I'm in the middle of making one shirt for one lady, and two shirts for another. AGH excitement!

Elisabeth Arona

This is what I do--I think...

For those who don't know, I am attempting to start a business.  I am starting a business. I have an Associates Degree in Fashion Design and I think it's about time I used it. Part of the reason I haven't promoted much before, or really made a full decision to do this is just mostly my own silliness. I am insecure and nervous, and fear the unknown. I was asked by an intelligent person "How do you know if you don't try?" Hmm, you have a point there...

I am currently filling up my shop. First, I'm going to switch shops for the name that I had planned to use all the way through school anyway. I won't tell you what it is yet, but when I have done it I'll let you know so that you can go give me your heart (I'm not demanding, just requesting.) Though I may seem calm, this is a big step for me. I've been poring over business books and articles, asking questions of people who are highly competent at what they do, and just praying that I won't have a nervous breakdown.

In the meantime, I want to show my latest creation (if you will.) Since I lack at self-promotion skills, this is my attempt at it :-)

Above is my rather junkie sewing machine (don't worry it's clean junk) and the shorts I made for a friend. I'm working on my designs for shorts, I'm going to change them up soon and all my friend in blogosphere will be the first--or at least firstish to know. 

Elisabeth Arona