Mom and I were invited to be part of a cool little locally crafted group that assists local artists on getting our stuff out there in the community. I am excited to see what happens with the first mailing we are included in. They send out mailings every couple of weeks (to thier mailing list). We just missed the most recent mailing, but not to worry I have set us up and we are ready to go with the next round.

I went to the SBDC today to meet with a professional to help me get started on my business plan and plan of action for my 'housewares' boutique (still working on a name for it). I spent the rest of my afternoon working on details for the start-up cost.

I am back at the boutique today with my favorite salesperson, Jackie. I always look forward to working with her, b/c of her uplifting personality and her VAST knowledge of retail. I have learned so much from her in the short amount of time I have been there. KUDOS TO JACKIE!

Bibbi sent me my PIF gift over the weekend. It was a delight to open and is doing filling my home with inspiration and assisting in keeping my stress level down. Now all I have to do is get on my 3 PIFs and one bag for the Bibbi trade I promised. So far I have two out of the 4 completed.

small gift boxes

I had a remarkable 4 days. Brian drove up on
Wednesday night and picked me up from work. We spent the evening around the house, after a nice dinner out and hit the sack early. Thursday was my grand opening, which wasn't so grand, but all the same nice to have. I realize now that I should have sent out a press release on it...live and learn. I can send one out now.

Friday I was still feeling a little down from the opening, but pulled myself together to work for the entire day. Brian dropped by earlier in the afternoon with a soda for me. It is always a big lift to see his face around the shop. It will be wonderful to have him here full-time. He will be doing his externship with Hugh at 5 and 10, which is 3 doors down from the boutique.

Saturday we spent the day at Brian's nephew's 3rd birthday party and then returned home to watch a coulpe of movies (only after sharing a plate of oysters on the 1/2 shell and a glass of wine).

Yesterday and today I have spent working around the house and TRYING my hardest to come up with a cute clutch, but it is a lot harder then I thought it would be. So every hour, or so I take a brake for paperwork and etsy updates. I must be going through a block, but I have decided to skip straight to the high end clutch and come back to the $50 one at a later date. I don't like to stand at the sewing machine when things are nolonger fun.

I have an interview for a full-time day job on Friday. I wish I wasn't hard up for work, but.....

Mom's painted suitcase

What a crazy weekend! I was working around the house on Sunday and broke my plate glass table. Cut my finger so deep that it took 2 days to stop bleeding. When it rains it pours. It is find now and I am able to take the bandage off. Looks nice and sexy....like a hairy hooker...hahahaha. I was going to photograph it, but I figured that might be taking it a little too far, since the last time I blogged about my 'head wound' made a few people woozy.

The past 2 days I have taken office days and ran my resume around town and worked on the internet sending out MORE resumes. I have an interview with Dial America, but I can't get so excited about it. I hope to hear back from someone more interesting soon, so that I don't have to break down and take a telemarking job...but we must do what is needed.

Jake is feeling tip top again. whew.

On the handbag issue, I am going to start working with SBDC at UGA on a business plan. I have decided to see if I can get assistance to open a clothing boutique in Normal town in Recycle's old space or 5 Pts. You never know until you try.

ETSY.co,

Well, I have finally given in and decided to open an etsy account for my mother and I. I will most likely only be featuring my sale bags, since the price points on esty are so low, but it might bring in a little cash. I will slowly be uploading slowly over the next few days, so that I can try to get the best exposure possible on etsy. Spread the word to your birds! (please)

Hopefully this will be a better week. I have my grand opening on Thursday and I will have 6 bags sold by the end of the night...mark my words. I keep telling myself to THINK POSITIVE! Hopefully it will start working. -wink

Lylou Boutique

I finally had a chance to take a few snap shots (crappy) of the boutique...they aren't the best, but you get the idea. It has been pretty slow, but I have sold a baby bag and a custom Desi today.

Jake is feeling better, so that takes a load off of my mind.

I have been applying at a number of companies...even ones that aren't hiring...just in case. If I play my cards right I might be working part-time for a sign company as a graphic designer or as the bar manager of Cine.

FINGERS CROSSED!

I have actually starting the process for opening my own boutique that would feature indie designers from all over the world. I am excited, but fear that b/c of my situation it might not happen, but you don't know until you try.

ALSO, thank you Bibbi for the wonderful and kind words...they alway help.

That was a photo of my boutique....a crappy one. I am working there, but only to make money via selling bags, so it isn't steady and not nearly enough to survive on. I found out yesterday that my former employer is denying unemployment income, so times are really scary right now. I have $50 to my name and bills sky high, so things are very uncertain. I have been looking for work every night and working in the boutique everyday, so I have had little time for much and no desire to indulge in much.

My oldest beagle is very sick and I fear dying, but I haven't the money to take him to the vet and it is killing me. I stayed home with him yesterday, but I can't afford to take another day away from the shop...just in case someone wants to buy a fucking $90 bag. As you can tell, I am not very useful these days....but I will try to take a better photo of the shop and post tonight. I think it will be my last until I find work, for I am to the point where I can't afford to keep Internet at the house. Wish me luck!

Kisses to all and I will be in touch via email at some point. Thank God for the public library.

I am off to appeal unemployment and put in a application with Dial America...never thought it would come to this...Have a great day to all!

I Like Her Style was too kind to blog about me.

What to see something hilarious? This is what the Banner conciders news worthy.

They found Cayle's body.

I am at home with a very sick beagle today. I am going to make the best of it, by working on a design for a special clutch they want me to do for the Hope Haven fundraiser Girls Night Out fashion show. I have some ideas, but first I shall lay down for a nap. -grin

Becky OH!

Becky wrote me an email today upset with etsy. Becky has been designing bags for years and has but many hours of hard work into one of her signature bags the Bolsa. Yesterday she came across an etsy account that has clearly copied the design of her bag. I have to admit that this isn't the first time I have run into this challenge. I myself have noticed this with one of my designs and even though I try to shrug it off it is still upsetting...and to top it off they are selling the items for such ridiculous prices. As Becky put it, esty is quickly becoming a place where unscrupulous and inexperienced people can sell...

On a brighter note...I REMEMBERED MY CAMERA! I will take photos of the room today. PROMISE!

Talia Mole Monson

One of Talia's students, recently made a trailer for a film that I wanted to share with you. It would seem to me that both Talia and her student are ones to keep your eyes on. Good work to both of you for your achievements.

MISSING!

Being on holiday isn't always a good thing...since I no longer spend my entire day at the computer; I have let myself fall behind of local and international news (which I use to keep up with religiously). Monday a friend told me about young UGA alumni in Atlanta that was out one afternoon two weeks ago walking her dog in a city park. Park surveillance cameras show her talking with a man that had approached with his own dog and the dogs where playing friendly. That was the last they saw of her. Last night I found out that 10 days later my girlfriend was at the local dog park walking her dog...later that afternoon her dog returned home (10 miles from the park) without her. The police found her car in the lot and located her keys in the park, but no sign of Cayle, a young PhD student at UGA. Yesterday morning officials found the Atlanta woman's body and head.... she had died from blunt force trauma to the head and them brutally dismembers. A man turned himself in then led them to her body, but hasn't copped up to Cayle disappearance. Everyone fears the worse for out cheerful little bartender that served us bubbly on Tuesdays at Aromas.

Romeo Alaeff

One this trip to NYC I was able to spend a portion of my last evening chatting and laughing with Romeo. I was in stitches! After I arrived home to Athens I was able to logo onto his website and found that his work is just as charming as he is.

I am still fine tuning the boutique, but it is up and running. I sold 2 bags on saturday and if I can get that up to 4 bags a week it would ROCK! I will be having my open house on the 17th of this month, so hopefully that will drum up some business. (photos soon to come)

Leslie and myself....me with hat head (ick)

It was a very productive day and the room is really coming together. I am taking in more art for the walls tomorrow and some oil to make it smell like Lylou...haven't figured out what it will be yet...I will play it by ear. I figure one more afternoon and it will be ready for the weekend (but not totally Lylou) and I will have a few photos to show, so start holding your breath. teehee

Who's Your Baby?

Lucky and Brian (aka: Brain)

Yesterday I started moving into my room at the boutique! Most of my time was spent brainstorming with a saleswoman there, but much ground was covered. I can see now that retail spaces are continually evolving. A few customers came back to welcome me and had great responses to my bags, which was great for my self-esteem and courage during the frightening venture. Wish me luck (as Brain always says, "there is no such thing as luck.")...teehee.

Lucky

THE MET

Two afternoons we spent roaming around the MET, separated by one evening at a clean, yet small hotel in Time Square. Around 11 that night we managed to check out the view of the city from the Empire State Building and then was able to have a midnight dinner at a 24-hour French restaurant that was more then charming. Yes, it was a very romantic couple of days.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After a long day of exploring NYC Leslie and I settled in for a few drinks at our favorite Brooklyn bar, the Brooklyn Social. This is the only time of year I can get my favorite drink (their special) the Raposoto. There is no other drink I can think of that has tangerine and rosemary...it is a delight. I guess I shouldn't say 'a few' since we ended up huttled in her kitchen at the end of the night laughing like teenagers drinking MORE wine then we should have and trying to talk in our 'inside voice' while her mother and Brian slept. It was a pure delight.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and are ready to get this show on the road for the upcoming year. I am maintaining a positive attitude and moving into my boutique tomorrow. I am still not sure if I have qualified for unemployment, so I have to call them in the morning and see what is holding it up. Ah...the life of the unemployed. Fingers crossed I can get it resolved in one quick call.

I can't wait to get back to checking all your blogs and finding out what is going on in the rest of the world...oh, and getting those PIF bags going. I hope to have a few special bags for those wonderful ladies on my list.