Hi, My Name is Lynn and

I am a control freak. I like to do it all myself. Sometimes it is just easier to do it yourself and get it done right the first time. Sometimes it just makes more work. Regardless, I like having total control of my business. I wonder, are most wahm's like that?

When it comes to my business, I do everything....let's start with the website. Yes, I had Kathy of the dezignspot design it for me. But then I tweaked the design a teeny bit here and there and off I went....adding products and pages and links myself. I have a pretty fair knowledge of html now and I maintain the website myself. If I manage to mess things up beyond my very limited expertise, I contact Jo, my webhost. She's bailed helped me out numerous times, but I still muddle along maintaining my website myself. It is mine, after all.

And then there are the products....piggy banks, personalized plates and other stuff. I have molds for most everything I make in my basement. I hand pour these myself. Timing is critical and I am a perfectionist and I want my products to be of the highest quality. So I manufacture them myself. When it gets to be fall and I have too many orders to handle myself, I sub out the easy work.....base coating, cleaning piggy banks....things that I don't have to do, really. But I do paint all of the designs. Painting is my stress relief.

And then orders need packed and shipped. I do that too. Unless I am too busy, then I have a friend come over and do the packing. But I actually enjoy that. It gives me a break from painting and I can make sure piggy banks are packed securely.

Oh and don't forget the paperwork. I print my orders up and run all the credit cards myself. As well as the shipping paperwork. I do have a friend who does my bookkeeping. I am terrible with numbers. I'll gladly admit that.

And I also print my own business cards, gift cards and fliers. Yep, I designed them too. I like being able to tweak things how I want them. And I like being able to change layouts for different times of year. I did have a fellow wahm design a brochure for me....but I had to tweak it and edit it just a little until I was perfectly happy with it.

Maybe I take things too far. I know I am a bit obsessive about my business. In fact, reading all that I wrote makes me think I am micromanaging myself. Can you do that? My business is a reflection of me, and I want things to be just-so and I won't be happy until they are. Even if I have to do it all myself. Call me crazy, but I like it this way. And I wonder why I am stressed out once in a while....I better get going, I'm sure there is something I should be doing : )

*** It's Christmas in July at Korff Ceramic Originals! ***
Only 176 days until Christmas!

Talk About It Tueday!

Since we are celebrating Christmas in July at Korff Ceramic Originals, I will talk about my Personalized Cookies for Santa Plates. Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is only 177 days away!

I have been painting these cookie plates for a long time. Since before I started the website and working at home, so that's over 10 years now. The first design was the snowman....just a simple snowman with a hat and scarf. He was quite popular until....

until someone asked if I could paint a Santa face. And so I designed a Santa face plate and that has been the BIG seller every fall.

After Santa came the reindeer. I like reindeer, so it was just a natural progression for me to paint a Reindeer cookie plate.

And then came the Gingerbreadman, the Penguin (thanks to Happy Feet) and finally the Santa bear plate.

All the plates can be personalized with your choice of phrase (Cookies for Santa, etc.) and names. So far I have been able to fit 6 names along the bottom of a plate (I can write small if I have too : ) Matching mugs are also available, so Santa can have his cookies and milk in style. Personalized Cookies for Santa plates are $28.00ea, matching mugs are $20.00, or you can buy the set for $40.00. Take advantage of our Christmas in July Sale (aka Save My Sanity Sale) order now and save 20% : )

Christmas IS Coming!

Aaah, this is normally a slow time of year for me. This year, though, it has been relatively steady. For every 10 orders I ship out, I get 10 new ones in. That's good, and I'm not really complaining, I would just like to see the bottom of the pile for a day or so.

In my slow time I like to prepare for the fall. And the holiday rush. Personalized Cookies for Santa Plates are a huge seller after Halloween and I like to get a stock going in the summer. When I am slow. But I haven't been slow. So I haven't been able to get any of those painted yet. That frustrates me and scares me a wee bit. If I don't get some kind of stock on hand in the next few months, I will be in big trouble come November.

Plus, I am planning a Christmas in July Sale, and that's next week already. Sheesh. Where did time go? Anyway, I have talked to my 12 yo daughter about helping out with these plates, and she has agreed. It's just a matter of getting her to sit down and do it. Yes, I pay her. The same amount I would pay anyone else. My plates are shipped to me white, and I need them basecoated in a beige color. 3 coats. That's her job. I am hoping....really, truly, hoping, that we can get 100 plates basecoated this summer.

And then we can start painting Santa faces. I offer other designs, but I *know* Santa Plates will sell in the fall. At least 100. And then there are the matching mugs that need basecoated too....see, I do need some down time. I'd still have plenty to do. And it might be a pleasant break from the never ending piggy banks (not complaining....I just count pigs instead of sheep when I go to bed : ) Plus I have to get the website ready for the sale, add a new piggy bank....yikes, I need more time! Peggy, did you ever find your 8th day???? Pass it over here, pleease!

and with the publishing of this post, I have finished my Monday Motivation To-Do List. Yay!