8 Ways to Get Your Handmade Hobby Online

Wordle: UntitledMany creative women start crafting items from home as gifts or for sale to friends.  Then, word-of-mouth travels, and this hobby expands to craft shows and vendor fairs.  After awhile, she may want to turn this hobby into something more substantial.  If so, she most likely will look into getting her business online.  Sound familiar?  Well, here are 8 ways to move your in-home hobby online:
  1. Set-up a Facebook business page. Click here for Facebook's instructions on how to create a business page.  Please do not create another personal profile for your business.  It must be a page.  This allows people to "like" your page, instead of becoming your business's "friend."  I've seen some small businesses make the mistake of creating a personal profile for their business.  Customers or fans will not "friend" your business because then you will have access to their personal profile, personal pictures, etc.  Profiles are for people, pages are for businesses.
  2. Set-up an Etsy shop.  Click here to check out Etsy if you are unfamiliar.  According to Wikipedia, Etsy is a social commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. You are able to set-up your own shop to sell your items, without creating and maintaining your own website.
  3. Create a website...
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12 Days of Gift-aways!

The holidays will be here before we know it.  In that spirit, I'm announcing a new event called the "12 Days of Gift-aways."  Here's the scoop:
  1. If you have a mom-owned business, create or craft and sell from Facebook, Etsy, Artfire, home, etc., you may participate as a vendor.  I only ask that you become a GFC follower of this site.
  2. Vendors donate an item to "gift-away."  I will need 12 vendors, 1 for each day of the Gift-away. This means, the 1st 12 to respond are in, so don't miss this opportunity.
  3. The Gift-away will last from 12/1 - 12/12 so items can be delivered in time for Christmas; however, readers can start entering the gift-away 11/14, via Rafflecopter.
  4. Vendors may also choose to register for my Candy Cane Catalog in conjunction with the Gift-away.  Click here for details.
  5. One vendor will be highlighted per day via the following methods (stats as of 10/27):
             blog post = 483 followers
             tweets = 210 followers plus 14,000 reach via triberr
             facebook posts = 1,698 fans
             blogging communities reaching up to 14,000 moms

It's as simple as that.  Readers enter the gift-away only once (via Rafflecopter), and are then entered for the duration of the event (note, each person can win only once).  All items will be shipped directly from vendor to winner.  Vendor must pay shipping...so choose something light and small if cost is a concern.  If you are interested, email me with the item you are offering for the gift-away, the value of the item, your website (or facebook page or etsy), and your name.  Let's create some new excitement for your items reaching a new audience, and give away to others all in the name of holiday spirit!
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6 Reasons Why Mom Shouldn't Multi-task

We must wipe the smile off of this multi-tasking mama's face!  Before I state why, let me define two types of multi-tasking.  When I was working in Corporate America, I multi-tasked every minute of everyday.  It was critical to survival, and the only way I could accomplish everything.  In this setting, multi-tasking is a job requirement, a necessity, and the only way some of us could meet deadlines and accomplish objectives.  A separate and distinct type of multi-tasking is that of a stay-at-home mom.  Multi-tasking at home can be a recipe for disaster...and that's no recipe that will appear on any cooking blogs.  Here are the reasons why:
  1. Lack of focus. When we multi-task at home, no one area gets 100% of our focus.  This could have dire consequences.  Maybe you will forget to pay a bill.  Maybe you won't be paying enough attention to your kids.  Maybe a pot boils over on the stove.  All of these are bad things, and could easily happen when we stretch ourselves too thin.
  2. Kids are feeling ignored.  If Mommy is wrapped up in a TV show, is working, or playing on the computer, the kids know they don't have all her attention.  "Mommy, I need a drink," or "Mommy, she is teasing me," gets met with short, unmeaningful, or ill-tempered responses. 
  3. Lack of concentration.  If we are not focused on something, then we simply cannot concentrate on it.  This can create confusion (especially if there is still "mommy brain" lingering in your head).  It can literally create headaches and "brain fog."
  4. Stress. Doing anything half-heartedly, or doing it quickly in between other activities, is bound to create stress.  No one wants more stress added to her life.  She feels it, Daddy feels it, the kids feel it. It's a lose-lose-lose situation!
  5. Lack of enjoyment.  If you are playing with the kids...but are really reading a magazine...
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How-to Make Homemade Applesauce

One of my favorite fall activities is apple picking with the family.  This year we picked roughly 150 apples.  My favorite thing to make with freshly picked apples is homemade applesauce!  The recipe includes apples, cinnamon....and nothing else!  Two simple ingredients, one spectacular applesauce.  I refuse to add sugar, it's completely unnecessary.  The sweetness of the apples is all the sweetness we need.  The only thing that would make it better is if the apples were organic, but it's hard to find organic apple orchards nearby.  I say this because apples are on the dirty dozen list of fruit grown with heavy pesticides, but that's a topic for another post.  I admit we use the Back to Basics 220 food strainer and sauce maker.  It makes the process very easy and very fast.  Here are the steps:
  1. Pick apples.  Be sure to taste as you go, and even inquire as to the best apples for making applesauce.  We primarily picked Jonagolds, but also picked some Granny Smith.
  2. Set-up the sauce maker. Follow the directions on whichever maker you own.
  3. Rinse apples.  While you do this, get a couple of pots of water boiling.
  4. Boil the apples.  They need to be boiled (err on the gentler side) for up to 5 minutes.  This softens them enough for use in the food strainer.
  5. Cut the apples to cool.   The apples should cool for a few minutes before putting into the sauce maker.  Otherwise, hot sauce can splatter out and burn anyone nearby.
  6. Put some apples in the sauce maker. I can...
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Giveaway: ChiTAG Free Weekend Family Pass

I'm thrilled to be attending my first Media / Blogger Event right here in Chicago!  It takes place in November at Chicago's Navy Pier.  As a result of my participation, I get to give away FREE Weekend Family Passes to one lucky family per week!  This is the largest toy and game fair in the U.S.  It takes place in Chicago November 19th and 20th. Click here for full details.

Your family can preview, play, and purchase the hottest new toys and games.  You also get to meet the inventors of the toys and games on exhibit at the fair.  There are fun events planned, such as: Star Wars Breakfast, Giant-Sized Interactive Toys & Games, Jeepster Power Wheels Ride-On Course, Young Inventor Challenge, live stage entertainment, free tournaments and contests, and costumed characters roaming the fair.  This is sure to be an exciting event and is a great way to kick off your holiday shopping!  This makes a fun morning or afternoon activity, or you can make it a day trip.
Starting this week (10-18-11), I will hold a weekly raffle to give away free weekend family passes until the week of the event.  Daily ticket rates are $10 per adult, $5 for kids ages 3-13, kids under 3 are free.  However, you have a chance each week to win free family passes right here.  Plus, if you don't win this week, your entry remains in the drawing for the following weeks, so you'll have at least 5 opportunities to win.

Here's how to enter:
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How-to Make Jack-O-Lantern Oranges

Last year I had a Halloween Party for my kids and their friends.  It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work.  One of my favorite things I made was fruit filled Jack-O-Lantern Oranges.  I found the recipe online (forgive me for not remembering the source).  The kids loved them!  Here's the how-to:

  1. Cut the ends off of several oranges (you choose how many to make).
  2. Remove all the pulp.  I did this using a spoon.  I even enlisted the help of a pumpkin scoop.  This is definitely the messiest process as orange juice may splatter out!  If you have a juicer, it would be perfect to add this pulp to the juicer to make homemade orange juice...or give some to the kids to eat!
  3. Carve jack-o-lantern faces using a small, sharp knife. 
  4. Cut up some fruit.  I used apples, grapes, blueberries, and strawberries.  You can even leave some cut-up orange pieces inside.
  5. Scoop the fruit into the orange, and you're done!
After making these, there will be some orange juice that continues to leak out from the orange.  I recommend placing them in a shallow pan or cookie sheet for a bit.  Then, when it's time to present, you can put them on a more decorative platter.

Have any other festive Halloween ideas?  Please comment below, or consider writing a Tuesday Craft Tutorial on them!  UPGRR8QK925P
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5 Tips for Finding a Blog Designer

If you're a regular reader, you know I've taken pride in handling all aspects of this site myself.  I've researched how to improve my site, and in the spirit of knowledge sharing, I posted blog tips for the new blogger (Click here to see all my blog tips to date).  Well, I realized it was time for something more professional with a "designed" look.  I know my limitations.  Although I'm surely capable of learning and perhaps doing all this design work myself, life and family prohibit me from spending all day at the computer!  So, I researched around and found Jeannette at Crafty Hippo Designs.  Here are the steps I recommend prior to choosing a blog designer:
  1. Review her portfolio.  Be sure to actually view the live sites using her designs.  Fact of the matter is anyone can set-up a website, and anyone can claim qualifications.  I found a site that seemed to have a great portfolio, but in the end, it turned out the designer apparently had not installed any of the designs on live sites.  Perhaps it was the beginning of a business.  However, as we all may feel, our sites are our "babies," so to speak, and I wanted an experienced designer who had done enough installs that I wouldn't fear she would get the code wrong and lose my work to cyber oblivion.
  2. Compare prices....
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10 Ways to Quickly Relieve Stress

Everyone feels stress.  Maybe everyday, maybe every hour.  It depends on our home and work situation, our jobs, our kids, our personality, etc.  We need to relieve our stress. It can negatively impact our health by lowering our immunity and disease resistance...not good.  Here are ten easy ways one can reduce stress in a snap:
  1. Sing in the car. I admit I do this a lot.  I cannot sing and would never karaoke, but it doesn't matter in the car.  Just belt out your favorite tune and feel instantly rejuvenated.
  2. Have an impromptu dance party with the kids. This is another favorite.  Yes, the kids may wonder why Mommy is suddenly so goofy acting like a kid, but they love it, and they need to see it.  So, turn on some music and get funky with the kids.
  3. Practice deep breathing techniques. You don't have to take a course for this one.  Just take some slow, deep breaths.  However, you must remember to breathe using your diaphragm (located between your chest and abdomen).  Your abdomen should rise and fall as you breathe, not your chest.  This proper way of breathing allows optimum oxygen levels to reach all your cells, vs. shallow chest breathing. Visit Ehow: How to Breathe or Ehow: How to Breathe Better if you want to practice this one...but don't obsess, please....
  4. Practice Qi-gong. What?  Yes, Qi-gong (pronounced "chee gong").  Wikipedia gives a thorough description of Qi-gong.  I've practiced this occasionally.  It involves rhythmic breathing and fluid movement as a form of relaxation and mediation.  Try it.  You might be reminded of scenes from the Karate Kid movies....
  5. Meditate....
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Tuesday Craft Tutorial

I am starting a new feature called Tuesday Craft Tutorial.  Every couple of weeks I will have a guest write a tutorial on a favorite craft or project.  In return, she will get a complementary spot in the Mama-press Business Directory (if she has a small mom owned business, sells from Etsy or a Facebook page), otherwise I will link back to her blog in the post. Anyone who loves crafting and has a great idea is welcome to participate.  This is a great way to further establish yourself as an expert in your niche.  For example, if you make jewelry, write a craft tutorial on how to make a great beaded bracelet.  If readers like your idea, they will click your link, follow your blog, like you on Facebook, or purchase an item from you.  Win-win for all!  If you are interested in writing, please email me.
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Steve Jobs Quotes to Inspire Us All

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” Jobs said. “Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs, 1955-2011


"That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." (1998).....
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8 Birthday Gift Ideas...Other Than Toys

My daughter's 3rd birthday is approaching.  As I look at the quantity of toys my kids already have, I a) feel somewhat ashamed at all the toys b) can't fathom adding to them.  Our family members are so generous that after birthdays and holidays, toys really pile up.  As I began planning my daugher's party, I comprised a list of possible birthday gift ideas other than the traditional toy:
  1. U.S. savings bond. Note that as of 1/1/12, the U.S. Treasury will no longer sell paper certificates at financial institutions.  They will only be offered electronically.  Click here for details.
  2. Financial deposit. This can be into child's bank account or piggy bank.
  3. Activity gift card. This can be to a local park district, YMCA, or similar organization.
  4. Required sports gear. Think soccer ball, shin guards, baseball, glove, tap shoes, leotard, etc.
  5. Museum or zoo membership.
  6. Books. Of course books are always great (and don't take up a lot of space).
  7. Activity books. This can be a subscription to Highlights, National Geographic Kids, or any reading or math activity book you can find at a local bookstore or superstore.
  8. Dress up clothes. This can be a princess costume for girls; or super hero, fireman, cowboy, or other character costume for boys.  Even a pair of cowboy boots and a hat, or fairy wings and a wand will do.
I'm surely not one to send out an unsolicited child's birthday list.  However, our family requests lists.  This means they really want some help choosing something our kids will like.  I will definitely be adding some of the above options to my kids' next birthday lists.  Do you have any other ideas?  I would love for you to add your ideas below!
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    How-To Best Start a Meal Train

    Have you ever organized several friends to cook meals for a new mom?  Perhaps the occasion wasn't as happy, and you wanted to help a friend so she didn't have to worry about grocery shopping and cooking in a time of distress. I have, and I recently discovered Meal Train.  In the past, I've participated in email exchanges where people sign up for meals and certain dates.  Sometimes there is an excel spreadsheet to keep track of everything.  Each person chooses a meal to make for a friend, signs up for a day, then cooks the meal and drops it off at the friend's house. Well, Meal Train makes it so much easier.  If you belong to a mom's group, church group, or simply a group of friends who may need this, you should check it out.  It's ideal when trying to organize meals for new moms, illness, loss of a job, or something worse. It's free, fast, and easy to use too!

    I was not compensated for this post.  I simply find this to be an efficient way to accomplish a worthy goal, and think anyone interested in starting a "meal train" should check it out.
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