Christmastime is Here!

My new favorite! This will be available in the shop beginning January 1.

Wow. Sent out my last two holiday shipments today--just in the nick of time. I upgraded everyone to Priority mail in order to avoid disappointed (angry!) customers who didn't get their shipments on time. Now I simply I hope, hope, hope the USPS holds up their end of the deal. So far, they haven't let me down (excepting that Global Express mail to Canada, which is currently held up in customs. Come on, Canada!).

I learned A LOT during my first Christmas season in business:

1. When customers have a good experience, they will come back. We had SO MANY repeat buyers--thanks to all who allowed us to create gifts for you! It is truly, truly an honor that you would choose us. We had a blast, listening to Christmas carols and stamping the names of your dear ones.

2. STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES! I ended up 2-day shipping jump rings (of all things) just so I could sleep at night rather than stay up wondering if I'd have enough to make it. 200 of each size I keep in stock arrived on my doorstep within 48 hours, and I slept like a baby that night. Actually I slept like a grown adult who has a baby who sleeps all through the night. I do NOT understand that expression--sleep like a baby. My baby didn't sleep!! Now she does, though, and we are all good dreamers again. BIG :)

3. Stamping has become my creative outlet. I hadn't realized how completely true this is until I didn't have time to make anything new because I was stamping so many Christmas orders. Finally, I had had ENOUGH and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning so that I could master my first rivet--a feat which I achieved at exactly 2:16 a.m. on Sunday, December 12th. I was like a woman possessed! Here's a photo of the fruits of my labor:Check OUT that beautifully riveted flower! This will be available in the shop beginning January 1. I guess the real lesson I learned is to MAKE TIME for creativity. When I don't, I become a very unhappy lady.

4. If I'd like to do this volume of business year round, I need to implement additional organizational strategies. I've spent the past few days thinking on this and putting a few things in place and plan to continue doing so throughout the first of the year. We'll see...

All in all, we're having a lot of fun...but I'd be lying if I said we're not enjoying this brief space of time that the shop is closed. :)

Thank you for stopping by the blog and taking a moment to see what we've been up to. As a small thank you gift from us to you, visit the shop and use the promotional code "CAPTIV8" January 1-31 to enjoy 10% your total order.

Here's wishing you a tremendously joyful Christmas!