Saturday, August 30, 2014

1 Year Self-Employed & 4 Years in Business: What I've Learned


These anniversaries completely snuck up on me this year. They both fell within a week of my wedding, which was August 18th, so I was a little frantic yesterday when they came to mind for the first time after blowing right past them in all the wedding madness. So, in what is apparently typical 2014 fashion (ahem, 2013-End-of-the-Year-Recap posted on January 6th), I post this late.

House of Moss was created 4 years ago, when I signed up for Etsy on August 19th, 2010. It was almost exactly 3 years later (August 16th, 2013) when I quit my day job to pursue it as my full-time career! When I started my Etsy shop, I had no idea it would ever be more than a self-sustaining hobby, but by taking each new step as it came, my business grew into what it is today.

I'm not a business genius, and although I've learned a lot over the past 4 years, I know there is still more to learn. But the one thing I know will guide me, in business and in life, is this: Follow the light. Wherever is brightest, most joyful, most fitting. Whatever is working. Even if it's in the distance, orient yourself toward the brightest spot. Keep your face toward it, and just like real light, you will benefit from its bright, sustaining warmth even before you get to the thing itself.

Thanks for following along with the progress of my business, friends! You are a big part of what makes this endeavor so enjoyable and fulfilling.


Thursday, August 28, 2014

House of Moss on the Scoutmob Shoppe


I've admired Scoutmob for a long time for its role as a promoter of local handmade goods, so I'm very happy to announce that selected House of Moss items are now in the Scoutmob Shoppe!

You can check out my Scoutmob Shoppe HERE. You'll find hearts, acorns, and ornaments in color combinations & quantities different from my other online venues!


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

HouseOfMoss.com is finally launched!


I have some big news & I can't hold back any longer from telling you! House of Moss finally has its own real website!

HouseOfMoss.com is now the central hub for shopping, blog posts, and general info about House of Moss.

This has been a long time in coming, and I am so happy to finally have a legit online presence to unite my different online venues like this blog, my business Facebook page, and my online shops.

Click this link to be one of the first people ever to see my new website!

----> www.HouseOfMoss.com <----


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Back in the Studio!


I'm back! Thank you all for your patience and understanding while I took a week off for my wedding & honeymoon. Erik and I are now married!

I'll probably post a few wedding pictures when we get back our professional photos, but for now I'll leave you with this one, taken by my very good friend Christi.

All orders are now going out on schedule again, and it feels good to get back to this hard work that I love so much! It is awesome to be able to focus on House of Moss and regular life again, without the insanity of wedding planning. :) I can feel my creative energy returning already!


Friday, August 8, 2014

In which a photo of me shows up unexpectedly in a Storenvy email


The last couple of days have been completely overwhelming with the amount of unexpected mentions in different places online, and I want to remember them so I'm posting them all here! (If you think this is too many mentions of House of Moss being featured in the span of 2 days, so do I ! It's weird when it's quiet for so long– and then suddenly it's crazy around here!)

I clicked on an email from Storenvy, an email blast for shop owners about Kiva loans. And there was a picture of ME as the title banner! So weird to see myself there.


My Business Tips Show Up on Create & Thrive!


I subscribe to the Create & Thrive creative business emails by Jess Van Den. Jess is an Australian jewelry designer who puts together helpful material for other creative business owners. While I'm outgrowing the Etsy blog's similar help posts, Create & Thrive continues to offer consistently helpful content, and they've helped me sharpen my business skills.

Anyway, a while back I commented on a post that asked readers to share the tips they wish someone would have told them when they were first starting out. A few weeks later, I see my name in this super helpful compilation of tips for new sellers! It's fun to see my name in print, and I hope the tips encourage other creative business owners! (Seriously, if you're a business owner, read through THE POST. So much good stuff there from all the people who contributed tips!)


Thursday, August 7, 2014

Featured in Retailing Insight Magazine!


Exciting news today! House of Moss acorn ornaments are featured in the online magazine Retailing Insight! Retailing Insight is basically a magazine for shop owners, focusing on holistic and thoughtful items. A few months ago, they contacted me about this, and after submitting the photos & info, I kind of forgot about it (wedding stuff, helping Erik move, life is busy, blah blah blah).

So yesterday I got an email from them, letting me know that it is published! So thrilled to see my work on the pages of a publication next to so many other cool things!


Saturday, August 2, 2014

The Independent Lives of Felt Things I Make


It's always so interesting to learn about the lives my felt creations go on to lead after they leave my studio. This mushroom bottlecap garden is now a photo prop for another Etsy shop, Speckled Owl Studio, in NW Washington!

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