Tax Time

I'm new at this craft business thing, and haven't really had that much time to invest into it.  So I was really proud of myself last year, when I took a leap and got my business license, hoping it would be one of many more steps in the right direction towards my goal.

To be honest, I never did ANYTHING with it! {Aside from ordering some envelopes, which I still have to see if I saved the receipt for}.

Fast forward to a week after my baby boy, Rowan, was born, when I got a call at 7am, from somenone at the County Clerk's Office, letting me know that they needed to audit my home business.  I managed to give a sleep deprived response of, "I haven't even done anything with my business."  The man replied, "So, you're not renewing your license?"  And all I could muster up was, "Not now". 

So now, with tax time just around the corner, I have to figure out how to file a business that didn't really produce OR expense any money.

Also, I'm not sure whether I should renew my license.  I guess I should have allowed them to audit...*not thinking clearly at the time*

I planned to really get going on it during my maternity leave {in my dreams!}. Rowan had a different plan, mostly revolving around himself.

We moved into a fixer upper house and had a baby last year.  I get anxious enough over taxes as it is. I'm really not looking forward to filing this year, even though we should get a lot back.  I think it's time to kick TurboTax to the curb and go to a professional, who can sort through it all.

If anyone out there has some tax advice for someone just getting their feet wet, I'd love to hear it!

Happy Tax Filing!

Day 13: Reverb 10 - Action

December 13 – Action When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky).

Action is the hard part.  I can dream all day about what I could do and would do, but actually doing it is a whole 'nother thing!

In the past, I haven't really held myself accountable for making things happen.  Well, that's not exactly true.  I used to be very accountable.  I did what I needed to do to get where I am.  BUT, lately, I've been more complacent about actually achieving my goals.

The best way I've found to keep myself on track is to make a list.  I LOVE checking off lists!  So much that I will do whatever I have to do just so I can put down another check.  Sometimes, I even cheat a little and list things I've already done.  That way, I get to check off even more!!

I have a few ACTIONS that I'm currently taking to change my life.  They're not huge and they're not abstract, because, really, they are the things on my list.  The small, but tangible steps that I have to take.

One action on my list is to build an inventory of handmade, unique-but-general, Baby Shower invitations, Birthday Party invitations, Thank You cards, and more.  I'm trying to make enough to host a table at a local farmer's market.  I've been able to get a good start already since my time off from work.  This will, hopefully, help promote as well as fill the gaps between my custom jobs.

Umbrella - Baby Shower Invitations by bloem

-Sarah

Getting back to business

It's been hard to keep up with anything related to paper crafts, or any crafts lately.  But, I've been inspired to start working on some new invitation projects.  I'm trying to channel that inspiration and focus on getting a good inventory up so that I can post more regularly on Bloem on Etsy.  I'm also hoping to take my work to some farmers markets and maybe some art and wine festivals next year, when the weather starts to clear up again. 

Up until now, I've focused more on custom designs (invitations mostly) for individuals.  Now I'm beginning to build a stock of invites and announcements that are generic enough to be bought as is, but also unique and handmade, so you still feel like you're getting something special.  

I'm super excited to unveil some of my new designs soon! 

-Sarah

Klic N Kut vs Pazzles

I have been dreaming of a personal yet versatile cutting machine for a while now.  And, sorry, the Cricut just doesn't cut it! Pardon the pun.


I have BIG ideas and I need a machine that can deliver.  These are the two that I'm drooling over right now:

Klic N Kut Maxx 24"

Pazzles Creative Cutter Pro

The Klic N Kut is much more affordable unless I go for the smaller Pazzles model, which doesn't do everything that I want to do.  I'm sure they both require quite a bit of learning and trial and error.


The nice thing about both of these is that you can design your own images to cut.  You can also (supposedly) emboss, etch, cut fabric, and write with regular pen.  And (supposedly again) you can cut thin wood and metal as well!  ooooh  ahhhhhh.


The bad thing is, the price, for one...yikes!  And from what I've read, the software is not that intuitive. 


Anyway, I think I'm going to go for it with the Klic N Kut.  I'm on the hunt for a lightly used one.