Moore Magnets

Homemade Spray Starch Tutorial

2012-01-31T10:31:00.000-05:00

I really dislike ironing. However, since I work with lots of fabric, it is a necessary evil.

I tend to use a lot of spray starch, just because I do think that it adds a crispness to the fabric and ultimately makes my job a bit easier.

I do not, however, like the smell of spray starch that you purchase at the store. So again ... in my quest to find more natural products and things that will save me money and I can make at home ... I have discovered the spray starch recipe!

This one is so easy!!

Just one pint of cold water and one heaping tablespoon of corn starch! You can add a drop or two of essential oil, but since I am sensitive to scents I do not add any smelly stuff. Shake it well!! and remember to give it a good shake before each use!

I had to try it out on some black cotton fabric, and I was pleasently surprised that there were very minimal if any at all white flakes ... which is almost always an issue when using store bought starch.

I had to make a pretty label for my bottle!

Other homemade recipes:

Weed Killer (White Vinegar and Dishwashing liquid)
Bathroom Cleaner (White Vinegar and Dishwashing liquid)

Homemade weed killers ... a tutorial and results

2012-01-31T08:17:00.001-05:00

I really dispise spraying chemicals all over the place ... seems that you need a gagillion chemicals around your house for cleaning, pest control, weed control, and all sorts of other things. I have seen a lot of neat ideas for storing all of these bottles of stuff on Pinterest lately, but what I would really like to do is take a different approach.

First, I would like to reduce the number of chemicals in my house significantly! Second, I would like to take a more natural approach for tackling these things. Lastly, I would really like to have more space for things I actually want in my house and not so much space dedicated to stuff I dislike having in my house.

Therefore I have been really researching homemade remedies for things. Now, it would be wonderful to say that I could eliminate my need for weed killer 100% by mulching and pulling weeds. However, since we live on almost 7 acres and I love to garden veggies and flowers ... I am fairly realistic that I don't have what it takes to maintain all of that without a little weed killing intervention.

So ... I have seen several recipes for weed killers that are a mixture of distilled white vinegar and diswashing soap. Which is absolutely fantastic since it is the same two things that I am mixing together for tub, shower, sink, and general bathroom cleaner. You can find a post about that here: http://mooremagnets.blogspot.com/2012/01/skeptical-about-homemade-cleaning.html

So, I am trying out the recipe for 1 quart white vinegar with 1 tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid. I have to note that the mixture that I am using today has more Dawn dishwashing liquid because I am using my partially empty bottle of the shower cleaner mixture which is 2 parts white vinegar to 1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid. However, at the moment I don't have another spray bottle empty.

Here is the weed ... I gave it a good spray

And this is 24 hours later - Please note that we have not had any rain and our temperatures just barely reached freezing, so no frost was involved.

I am actually pretty pleased with the results on this particular weed. However, there were several others that I sprayed and the results were not nearly as significant. So, this morning I poured more vinegar in my mixture to make it closer to the 1 quart to 2 tablespoons recipe. I will update you again in a few days!

Featured Friends! Sarah-Lambert, TuckooandMooCow

2012-01-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

I think one of the best and most unexpected things that has happened since I started selling on Etsy and selling at craft shows are the wonderful and talented friends that I have made along the way.

I hope you will enjoy seeing objects made by a few of these friends!

This week I would like to introduce you to Sarah-Lambert, aka TuckooandMooCow. She is a watercolor artist and paints the most fabulous miniatures that are captured as jewelry, pocket mirrors, and various other goodies!

I love this luna moth necklace! It reminds me of seeing luna moths flying around our neighborhood as a child. I am so thankful that my parents took the time to point out these amazing creatures!

Wearable Art Pendant-- Luna Moth

Around the Shop

2012-01-26T09:58:00.000-05:00

I've been working busily in the shop over the last few weeks, unfortunately all of my extra camera batteries have been mysteriously running off and jumping into wii controllers, remote control cars, and things that whizz, shoot, and beep.

So, I did manage to take this picture today ... at the expense of a wii remote!

I had hoped to have some more goodies to show you, but with a order of 20 magnet displays going to Maine keeping up with custom orders there aren't too many new things in the shop!

I did manage to list this collection of coupon organizers ... but they are selling like crazy and even some of these are not available at this time.

Now - Back to work! I promise to have more exciting things to show you next time around the shop!

Featured Friends! Michelle of Calamaristudio

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

I think one of the best and most unexpected things that has happened since I started selling on Etsy and selling at craft shows are the wonderful and talented friends that I have made along the way.

I hope you will enjoy seeing objects made by a few of these friends!

This week I would like to introduce you to Michelle, aka Calamaristudio. She is a freelance illustrator and her designs of the sea, sea creatures, and night sky remind me of my adventures scuba diving and climbing on the Appalachian Trail!

I love print of her jelly fish! Isn't it just amazing!

I am Chopstick Man!!

2012-01-19T09:24:00.000-05:00

I am Chopstick Man!!

Isn't this the cutest thing ever!

My mom knows that my son and I go out to each Chinese food every so often, and that he is always trying to learn to eat with chopsticks so she got him this little set for Christmas! I just love the little guy!

Basically the little guy holds the chopsticks open so that all a learner needs to do is close the chopsticks until they can get the hang of using chopsticks on their own.

The chopsticks go in his legs!

The other fun thing a bout going to each Chinese food is the fortune cookies and fortunes inside!

How did they know that I work with magnets!!??

And my son got the other one! I hope all his dreams come true!

If you don't have a chopstick man, you can make your own little device by folding up a napkin and putting a rubberband on the top of the chopsticks like this.

Now, go eat some yummy Chinese food!

Skeptical about homemade cleaning products ... But this one works!

2012-01-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

For years I have been really sensitive to fragrances and cleaners, and I have had to change the types of things that I buy because of it. This runs the gamut from laundry detergent, to lotions, to hand cleaners, and especially cleaning products!

I have seen many receipes for cleaning, and I have no doubt that dilluted vinegar does a great job cleaning windows, and lemon is a life savor for smells in the kitchen. However, those hard to clean places, like tubs and showers ... well I confess that I have always just broken down and purchased commercial cleaning products.

I recently came across a pin on pinterest for a tub and shower cleaner - Tub and Shower Cleaner that used Dawn dish detergent and white vinegar ... and I just had to try it because even the commercial cleaning products just don't do too well on the soap scum and mineral buildup from our well water.

The mixture is a 1 to 1 ratio of blue Dawn dish detergent and white distilled vinegar. They recommend hot vinegar, but I have mixed it with the vinegar cool and gotten the same results.

Update! I recently mixed it as a 2 to 1 ratio with 2 parts vinegar to 1 part blue Dawn and achieved the same results. I may try reducing it even more as it is very soapy!

I have to say that I am THRILLED with the results! I will absolutely not be buying any commercial tub and shower cleaner again! I can't say that I didn't do any scrubbing, because I did ... here's the picture to prove it ... But the amount of scrubbing I did was the same as I do when I use a commercial cleaner ... Only I wasn't gasping for air, running the bathroom fan, and had to sit outside for at least 30 minutes after I was finished.

My house does smell a bit like vinegar, but it must not be that bad because my son isn't complaining about it!

I only mixed up a small amount. Instead of the 12 oz and 12 oz mixture they indicate, I only did 4 oz and 4 oz ... frankly cause I didn't want to use all the vinegar I had, and I also didn't want this strange mixture around if it didn't work to my satisfaction.

The mixture wasn't nearly as clear looking as the picture above - that looks more like glass cleaner to me. Mine was thicker and milky looking. I will try increasing the vinegar and lessening the Dawn next time. However, I do think the thicker mixture allowed it to hang on the walls of the shower for a longer time.

Now, I can't wait to make my tub all sparkly and remove that film!

Resolutions ... and Plans to Make them Happen!

2012-01-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

I've been working on this post for a couple weeks now. Like I said before, I don't like to make and start resolutions on January 1st. I like to take a couple weeks to really make a well thought out plan for resolutions and even give myself a chance to drop some that seem fly-by-night and don't have a well thought out plan.

So ... Here is the list!

Get the art and pictures out of bins, boxes, and files and get it up on the walls! - I am so terrible! I have bought several pieces, and even been given some pieces of art that are still sitting in bins and boxes and have not been displayed. All along I have been saying that I need to paint first ... cause our walls look terrible. However, painting hasn't happened either! At least the art would cover up some of the holes, handprints, marker doodles! So, as I am going through boxes I am getting that stuff hung!

Take more pictures of my kids! Seems that I am always taking pictures of products ... not so many of my kids. I am actually saving for a new camera - but that is no excuse! I have got to take more pictures! They are growing so fast!

Streamline ... everything! I feel like I have to much stuff that does the same general thing. There are so many areas of my house and life that this is relevant to that you will just have to follow along!

Make my workspace a more inspiring place. Right now it is so full of "stuff" ... all sorts of stuff ... I want a workspace like you see in a magazine ... which is probably not really going to happen ... but I can make it more desirable and less junky! Given some of my recent posts you can see that I have already started clearing out!

Increase my business - Business growth is always on my mind, I'll be spending more money on ads this year and really working on getting my name out there! I would also like to support some of my amazingly creative friends with this too, so I'll be asking them if they have a button or something to put on my blog! I have amazingly creative friends that can sew, paint, make toys, needle felt, draw, sculpt ... the list just goes on and on! And who knows, maybe they will return the favor! We have to support our friends! Love them!

Have fun! This is always a goal of mine, and it is funny that I feel the need to remind myself to do this. I had such a good time with my boys, my hubby, my friends - on beach trips, hanging out at pools, building forts, roasting marshmallows, going to the zoo, and generally just having fun. I am continuing my efforts to finish work by 5pm and take weekends off (except for craft show weekends). Life is too short not to have fun!

Featured Friends! Lisa, TheBeadGirl

2012-01-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

I think one of the best and most unexpected things that has happened since I started selling on Etsy and selling at craft shows are the wonderful and talented friends that I have made along the way.

I hope you will enjoy seeing objects made by a few of these friends!

This week I would like to introduce you to Lisa, aka TheBeadGirl. She loves metal as much as I do, add precious metals, fire, and her talent and presto you have fabulous jewelry!

I love this message token! I think it would be so lovely for a parent who travels a lot, or who is facing a long deployment to give it to their love or child as a reminder of their feelings even when miles separate them.

Silver Love Message Token

My Garden doesn't know it is January!

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Do you see that? Those little sprouts coming up!! That's some of my crocus bulbs ... Apparently this cold/warm/cold/warm has messed with my bulbs and my crocus are going to bloom way too early!

You might wonder why I have a strawberry pot turned over there too. Well, the bottom of the pot fell off, and I thought it would make the perfect little toad house! So send the memo ... Toads, I have the perfect little house waiting for you! There will be plenty of little bugs for you to eat in the spring!

Organizing Never Ends! Revisiting Projects

2012-01-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

About a year ago my husband and I installed cabinets for my work in our living room. I had very specific things in mind that I was going to store in each cabinet, and it was just going to be fantastic!

I still think they are fantastic, but with the addition of a new binding machine and color laser printer, the where I was going to put everything has changed ... seems like every week!

That's okay though - I really think that organizing isn't something that you do, and then you are done with. I think it is an ongoing process that needs to be evaluated all of the time. Let's face it, our interests changes, our kids' interests change, we stop doing things and start new things, and people and businesses grow!

So here is the newest arrangements of one of my cabinets. I decided that I could really put some of the things I had out into a different place. I wasn't using them right now, and even though I have plans to use them in the future, they don't have to stare me in the face everytime I open this cabinet up. So, I've decided only to keep the things that I use right now in here.

I really love that I actually have some extra space too! And I love having a basket that is just for fabric I have out for outstanding orders. This will save me so much time since I don't have to dig through my fabric bins over and over again!

And, the rest of my spice racks turned paint racks came in! The new ones that I ordered are actually a little deeper so I can even fit my spray can in there too! I love that my brushes are there too ... they make me happy!

I am sure that some of you have tons more paint, but I must say that I got a deal on these spice racks on Amazon through ACE Hardware - They were less than $2 each!

Ok! Back to work! Hope you have a fantastic day!

Yay! The Patio is Finished!

2012-01-06T09:57:00.004-05:00

As some of you may know we did pour the patio concrete on December 23rd ... Oh I know, RIGHT before Christmas ... cause you know, I didn't have anything else to do! I have my husband to thank for that timing.

However, even though it was stressful, it was really nice to have it done before Christmas - a nice way to wrap up the year with a project checked off the to do list!

Thanks to some really nice weather after Christmas I have had coffee sitting in my chairs at the little table. I can't wait until spring to put some plants in all those pots and get the garden areas on each side done! And, thanks to my wonderful mother, I have a nice gift certificate to a nursery to buy plants in the spring! Isn't it awesome how mom's just know the perfect gift sometimes! Although my Dad gave me an equally awesome gift ... a gift certificate that can be spend anywhere since it was cash!

So earlier this week I checked out this book from the library, but decided that I needed my own copy to dog ear pages! I have a feeling that the gardens are going to overflow again this year!

If I could find my scissors then I wouldn't need 15 pairs!

2012-01-05T12:40:00.003-05:00

So, I decided that it is really time to clean out my workspace. I am removing half finished projects and putting them in a bin so that I can come back to them later. When there are lots of little pieces for the projects I am putting them in baggies so that everything stays together. I am also putting all of the Christmas crafts in a bin so that I can pull them out at the end of the year when it is time to get started on them again.

However, what I have really found ... is that I would have a WHOLE lot more space if I just got rid of all of these multiples of things ... like sanding blocks, pliers, and scissors! Really - I would not need 15 pair of scissors if I could actually FIND scissors when I was looking for them ... This is what came out of ONE drawer!

Oh my ... I have a problem ...

Clear Jars - Saving me from madness!

2012-01-04T15:08:00.003-05:00

I seriously only have 5 minutes of organizing time today ... I really need to devote more time to it tomorrow.

But ... each small step is still getting me toward that elusive goal of actually being organized! I do have my doubts that I will reach that holy grail at this point though!

So, today I grabbed some canning jars that weren't being used and seperated all my buttons! Some glasses are also handy for pens and paint brushes! WooHoo! I can see what is in them and they will fit nicely in my cabinet!

I just love using things for multipurposes!

Crafty Storage Ideas! Spice Rack as Paint Storage

2012-01-03T12:22:00.004-05:00

So, I was cleaning out my spice/baking cabinet over the weekend and decided to finally get rid of some of those spices that have been in there for far too long. I also decided that I really needed to find a new spice rack since this one was a wee bit too big for the cabinet door causing it to not close all of the way.

This morning I realized that it would be the perfect place to store all of those paint bottles that are shoved in a basket in a closet! Maybe I won't have to dump out a whole basket of paint to find the right color anymore! Now I just need to add a dab of paint to the top of each lid so that I know what color is there!

They fit so well that I ordered a few more from Amazon for the rest of my paint stash! WooHoo! Gotta love repurposing your stuff ... especially if it isn't working quite right!

FYI - I do not know the brand of this rack as it was purchased many moons ago, but it is about 12 inches wide and 3 inches deep. It fits 14 of the small 2 oz bottles of craft paint.

Preparing for Resolutions ...

2012-01-03T10:11:00.003-05:00

So, have you all started your new year's resolutions? How are they going? What did you resolve to do, not do, or do differently this year?

Well ... I haven't started any resolutions yet. For the last few years I have actually resolved to have a "cooling off" or "preparation" period for any new year's resolutions. Generally I take the first 2 weeks of each year to really prepare to get resolutions off on the right foot.

I guess that I could do this preparation the last two weeks of December, but between work, school vacation, family visiting and visits, and the holidays ... that preparation just doesn't happen.

So, one of my resolutions is to step back and prepare to get off on the right foot. Some years this has meant a good cleaning of the house, organizing paperwork, cleaning out the junk food from the pantry, getting those things ready for an exercise regimen ... generally just putting things in place to make it more likely that I will succeed in making my resolutions happen.

So this year my resolutions will start on January 17th, just after the Martin Luther King holiday.

How do you set yourself up to make sure that your resolutions happen?

Patio, aka Mud Pit, Update

2011-12-19T16:05:00.005-05:00

So, way back on May 19, 2011, I blogged about our mud pit ... soon to be patio ... Well maybe not so soon!

I am happy to report that there has been progress on the patio! We are almost ready to pour concrete, and the truck is (and thankfully small crew) is scheduled to be here on Friday! Woot! Woot! It only took 7 months!

I am quite happy that the digging, filling in, tamping, and form building is finished!!

I am looking forward to having a nice big space for a table and chairs!

Also, a walkway from the car!

And, hopefully less muddy shoes to track dirt through the house ... although that might be a little dream with a husband and 3 boys tromping through!

I'll update you on the final days in a later blog post, but I hope you enjoyed this peak into the happenings around the MooreMagnets household!

Now ... off to swing and have an ice pop on this lovely December day!

A Handmade Holiday!

2011-12-13T10:26:00.003-05:00

Whew! What a whirlwind of a last few weeks! I'm actually still in the middle of a bit of a whirlwind, but I thought I would take a few minutes and show you some of the goodies that I have made!

After turning my hobby into a business, I've decided that I need some new hobbies! Hobbies that I have no intentions on turning into businesses =)

So, several weekends ago I taught myself to crochet! I bought some yarn, hooks, and a book ... after trying for days I just couldn't get the hang of it, but after a few youtube videos and a phone call with a friend I was off and running! So, some lucky people are getting some scarves handmade by me this year!

I have also wanted to dust off my sewing machine for a while ... for something besides hemming pants! So here are a couple owls that I made by following a tutorial from Hammer & Thread that you can find here: http://hammerandthread.blogspot.com/2010/07/owl-stuffies-tutorial.html These cuties will be finding homes in the snuggly arms of my nieces.

I would love to see some of the goodies you have made for family and friends this year! And, now that I have made the owl stuffies I would love some more links to tutorials!!

Fabrics Coming Soon!

2011-12-09T09:33:00.004-05:00

Here are two fabrics that are coming soon! The Joel Dewberry one, is one that I have had before, and the Riley Blake is brand new for me! I've had so many requests for fabrics with more darker earth tones that I am trying to find some to stock! Unfortunately, I have had trouble finding some that really catch my eye!

Joel Dewberry - Columbine in Natural

Riley Blake - Pears in Brown

Newly listed in the shop!

2011-10-21T06:17:00.001-04:00

'New in the Shop this week' by MooreMagnets

Wall-Mount Magnet Board... MooreMagnets $30.00	Wall-Mount Magnet Board... MooreMagnets $30.00	Wall-Mount Magnet Board... MooreMagnets $30.00	Wall-Mount Magnet Board... MooreMagnets $30.00
Fabric covered magnet b... MooreMagnets $36.00	Fabric Covered Magnet B... MooreMagnets $22.00	Fabric Covered Magnet B... MooreMagnets $22.00	Fabric Covered Magnet B... MooreMagnets $22.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Coupon Organizers! Back in the Etsy Shop!

2011-10-18T15:38:00.004-04:00

'Coupon Organizers!' by MooreMagnets

Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00	Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00	Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00	Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00
Small Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $8.00	Small Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $8.00	Small Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $8.00	Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00
Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00	Large Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $12.00	Small Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $8.00	Small Coupon Organizer ... MooreMagnets $8.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Why the USPS doesn't always suck ... and a lesson for those that use flat rate envelopes

2011-09-29T19:09:00.002-04:00

I hear a lot of complaints about the USPS, and I do know that some folks really do have problems ... however, I have to give props to the USPS ... because I find it rather amazing that this package ... and its contents made it to me.

You see ... I ordered this bottle of glue, and the seller used one of those flat rate mailers that is made of really, really thin chip board. I hate those by the way. Sellers really need to use the new bubble flat rate mailers that are made for more bulky items, or just pay for mailers that hold up.

I have received so many packages in these flat rate mailers that came ripped open ... I just knew that at some point one of them would be ripped open. Today was that day.

I am just glad that the contents was not lost or damaged!

Kudos to the USPS for putting my package back together and getting it to me!

Rainy Day Magnets - Giveaway!

2011-09-28T10:36:00.007-04:00

This Giveaway is now closed! Thanks to everyone for participating!

Whew! I was going to post this on Monday, but given that I could find NO batteries in the house to take pictures with I was a little bit doomed!

However, since we have gotten another 1.25 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, I think the rainy day magnets are still appropriate!

So, here is a picture of the cute little rainy day magnets I did! One rainy clip magnet, for you to keep up with that list of rainy day stuff you need, and 3 button magnets one with rain drops and two with puffy white clouds on an orange sky ... because orange and light blue is just such a fabulous combination!!

You get the 4 magnets and they will arrive in a clear top magnet tin ... so you can store other goodies too!

I've made two sets of these, so the other set is available only in my Etsy shop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82729936/rainy-day-magnets-in-clear-lid-magnet

You can first enter by being a blog follower and leaving a comment on this post!

You can get extra entries by tweeting this post and becoming a facebook fan. Only one tweet entry per day allowed. You must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count, and you must leave the link to your tweet to enter for tweets!

This is open to everyone worldwide, and the winner will be drawn on Wednesday, October 5th 2011 by putting the number of comments into a random integer generator. Contest closes at 7am eastern daylight time on Wednesday, October 5th 2011.

Rainy Days are good for Crafting!

2011-09-24T10:45:00.000-04:00

The last few days here have been really rainy! Our rain guage has collected 3+ inches not including the downpour we are getting right now. I welcome the rain today, not only because we are in a drought and our grass is crunchy, but also because I find rainy days very soothing to craft and get inspired.

I know that the rain is often associated with depression, but the smell, sound hitting the tin roofs, and watching the birds frolic in puddles brings me a calm that I don't get on bright sunny days.

So, today I am going to make some rainy magnets from a sweet digital paper that I purchased not too long ago, and here is an awesome handmade stamp from creatiate that might help you to mark your next rainy day!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71472709/little-rain-cloud-hand-carved-stamp

Time Management - Expectations

2011-09-20T13:42:00.001-04:00

Now, you may think this is an odd topic for a time management post, but keep reading and you may understand.

I used to go to a restaurant once a week for really good Chinese food. I would always take my son, because he loved the food and trying to eat with chopsticks. Now, it was a little pricey, but the helpings were large so I was always sure to have enough left over for lunch the next day. One week we went there for dinner, and the helpings were really small. I commented to the person serving me that normally they gave us a much bigger scoop. The server commented back that they had been making a mistake before, and these were the correct proportions. I was very disappointed, and after that experience my son and I found a recipe, bought some chopsticks, and started eating our weekly Chinese dinner at home instead of at the restaurant. We have gone back a couple times in the last year, but we are no longer regular weekly customers and we have also turned the rest of the family onto our yummy homemade Chinese dinner.

My point here is that this restaurant created an expectation for me, and then changed. My opinion isn't a bad one of the restaurant, but because of their drastic change in portion sizes I no longer visit the store as a weekly customer.

From a business and time management perspective, I am here to tell you that YOU create expectations for your customers. You create these expectations in your descriptions, prices, policies, words and actions. You have the ultimate control over how your customers perceive your customer service and product. You need to set your business up with systems that are manageable for the long term and account for busy times, slow times, growth, and rising supply costs. You don't want your regular customers to visit your shop not knowing what to expect this time. You want your regular customers to know exactly what they can expect based on their experiences with you, and you want to set up systems that you can maintain.

From a time management perspective this means setting up times to respond to customers - will you respond to them in 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours? Set a schedule that you can conform to on your busy times, however perhaps not your extremely busy times. You may state that you will respond to people in 24-48 hours and the 24 hour mark is what you do in normal and busy times, but the 48 hours is what you do when you are extremely busy. Put these times in your policies, and also tell people when you will respond back to the with answers to questions and quotes that are not immediately available. Then - stick to it! If you are constantly late, then consider extending the time that you give yourself. However, you also don't want to be consistently very early either. You don't want your customers used to you responding to them in breakneck speed and then all of a sudden they don't hear from you for 2 days without some sort of announcement that you are out of town.

Set up appropriate times to complete orders and shipping ready-made orders. When you do this give yourself a buffer to account for bad weather, a sick day now and then, and also things that come up in life. You don't want to be cutting it so close to deadlines that you are constantly having to tell your customer that you missed a deadline that you ultimately set for yourself. You also don't want to be always sending orders days ahead of schedule and it to feel like you are late when an order is sent out on time.

Scheduling realistic times and deadlines for yourself can help you plan custom orders into your regular order routine, save time by consolidating like tasks, and to give you and your customers a solid system to expect for the long term. So, be nice to yourself, give yourself the time that you need to complete your orders and communications without being in a time crunch constantly.

Next week I will be writing about working in batches, small runs, and one at a time.

I'm a paper girl ... I can't help it!

2011-09-14T15:16:00.001-04:00

I promised to come back today ... and really I tried to give Cozi another chance ... It is really a fantastic program that you can update online, on your smartphone, ipad, laptop, etc, but at heart I am a paper girl. As much as I wish I could just give my life over to technology there is something about putting pen to paper that is so satisfying for my soul.

So, I actually MADE something for ME today - only me - you cannot buy it from me =)

It is a nice big weekly planner (8x10) with a pocket and a whole page for one week ... and get this ... a WHOLE page for notes and lists for that week! I even gave Saturday and Sunday as much space as the other days cause we always have busy weekends! Plus I put 40 more pages in the back for lists and notes. The notes and lists pages are not all sectioned off, so I can put anything I want there without feeling like I am breaking the "planner rules".

Here are some pictures for you!!

This was not the easiest thing to make and I have not decided if I will put them in my shop yet.

Leave me a note and tell me what you think!

Clean Up the Crap Wednesdays - Juggling

2011-09-14T10:04:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of my kids' juggling balls. I unfortunately have failed to learn how to juggle, but my husband can and he is always trying to teach the boys to juggle.

I however, have the privilege of juggling all of these other things in my life ... learning how to do that is equally as difficult and frustrating as trying to learn to juggle those balls!

So, I have decided to bring back "Clean up the Crap Wednesdays", and today I am tackling my calendar. I would show you a picture of it ... but currently it is in my head ... and you really don't want to see that!

I am going to give the Cozi calendar another shot ... let's see what happens! I will let you know either the end of today or tomorrow!

Time Management - Business is taking over my life!

2011-09-13T07:42:00.000-04:00

I heard from many of you that you really need help shutting your work off and spending time with friends, family, or just doing personal things. I am here to tell you that it is not easy. The good news is that it means that you really love what you do, or that you are super busy with a booming business. Now, if you are super busy with a booming business then it is time for you to think about hiring a person or a service to do some things to free up some of your time. This might mean getting a housekeeper, bookkeeper/accountant, someone to help with shipping, or even hiring a company to take over some of your online presence and social networking. However, if financially you just can't bring yourself to hire someone or your busy but your sales aren't busy, then you need to get real about what you are doing and how much time you are spending on it.

It could be that you are spending a lot of time avoiding the things that you should be doing, and indulging in the freedom that you are giving yourself. So, if you are the boss, would you hire yourself? Are you being a good employee? If not, then you really are going to have to step things up and take your business seriously. Playtime is over, and it is time to get to work ... so that you can have playtime later!!

It could also be that you are spending a lot of time doing a lot of things that really don't have a big or meaningful impact on your business. Lots of social networking activities and sites are a great way to meet up with people and find a lot of information, but you need to make sure these things are bringing value to your business for the time that you spend doing them. If you think this is the case, then try to evaluate them using the following matrix.

You really want to avoid the things that fall in the lots of time/little impact. These are things that you spend a lot of time doing, but you really don't have any measurable results from doing them. You also want to be careful with the things that are little time/little impact - these things can add up to be a big time suck. All of those 5 minute activities add up to hours at the end of a week, and you can lose valuable time without knowing it. Your focus should be on the things that have a big impact on your business, and you want to make sure that the things that fall into the little time/big impact are incorporated into your daily routine. The items that fall into your lots of time/big impact can be increased and reduced to control your workflow - so you would do them more when you aren't very busy, and do them less when you are very busy.

I wish that I could tell you what these things are or will be for you, but unfortunately these are all different for each person and each business. This is when it comes down to who and what you know. Some sellers spend an enormous amount of time making treasuries on Etsy, and that translates into big sales and big exposure, others spend enormous amounts of time making treasuries but the results are only lots of exposure but not so many sales. There are also sellers that have the same experiences with twitter, facebook, blogging, etc. So, you really need to be honest with yourself and your business about what things you are doing that are worth your time doing them.

In my own business the little time/big impact items are purchasing ads on blogs. I spend time each month looking for blogs to advertise on, and when I purchase ads I don't always get sales, but through experimentation I have been able to find blogs that work for me and my business. So, basically this activity has moved around in my matrix so that now it is in the best category. The activity that I find to be the lots of time/big impact is creating and listing new things. This is the one activity that I if I give up my business slows down and if I spend more time on it my business picks up.

All other activities fall into the low impact areas on the matrix - All facebooking, tweeting, blogging, etc have fallen into these areas. Now, I have not stopped doing these things completely as I think they are important for my business presence, but I do not put them at the top of the list of things I need to do in a day. These are fillers that I do when I have a few extra minutes during the day, when I have coffee in the morning, or when it is rainy outside and I don't have other things going on.

I have also recently found a good way of incorporating these social internet sites into the other business and social activities that I enjoy doing. I have recently discovered some business minded groups on twitter that have a bi-weekly meeting and I try to attend that meeting. This activity keeps me on track with my business, I meet great folks on twitter when I am there, and I am also being active on twitter for social networking time. All of that in 1 hour twice a month! Groups like this are also popping up on facebook and other social networking sites. Consider talking to groups you are already involved in and see if you can take some of your chatting to a social internet site so that you can essentially accomplish two things at one time - a nice chat with friends as well as maintaining that social network presence.

Once you have done the matrix exercise and really identified the things that are big impact items and little impact items, try to re-focus your workday. Make sure you are doing those big impact items, and don't put so much importance on the little impact items. Leave work at an appropriate time and remember to do some of those big impact items in your personal life! Also remember, that just because you love your business doesn't mean that the people you love, love your business. Making time for yourself, friends and family does have a positive impact on your business, and prevents that dreaded thing called BURN OUT.

Next week I will be talking about expectations from a time management perspective.

Friday - Wrap it up for the Weekend!

2011-09-09T07:02:00.003-04:00

Another Friday has rolled around which means the weekend will soon be upon us. I've been focusing myself a lot more lately on having a work schedule and getting more organized.

For Fridays, that means wrapping up projects from the week and tidying up the house for the weekend. Since I won't be able to finish all of the projects I have started this week (and previous weeks) in one day, I think it is important to store all of the materials that I have gathered for those projects in one location so they are ready to pick up and finish next week.

Depending on the size of the projects you might be able to use folders, baggies, or plastic containers. Just make sure that you can store things and not squish materials that don't need to be squished.

I have other projects started that don't really need their own container, so they will just be stored and not containerized. I also have a dedicated cabinet for unfinished projects. The cabinet gives me a definitive space for unfinished projects and requires me to fit all of the unfinished projects in one space. Therefore, I can't start a new project until I have space to store it.

If I find that I have too many to fit, and I really want to start something new, then it is time to re-evaluate some of the unfinished projects. I will ask myself why I haven't finished these? What is holding me back? Is it likely that I will finish the projects soon? Do I have all of the supplies to finish the projects?

Often times there are projects that I started, that just didn't work out the way I hoped. For these I really must decide if I am going to finish them, or if they are just not going to happen. Often these unfinished projects are taking up valuable real estate in my creative brain, so getting rid of the ones that aren't going to be finished frees up space for me to come up with new ideas.

Time Management Series - The LIST

2011-09-08T11:27:00.002-04:00

So, I have tried to write this article on time management so many times by now that my deadline for getting it done has sufficiently passed! You may be able to relate to this - that you are over scheduled, and so much so, that even the things and maybe especially the things that you like to do get shuffled to the bottom of the list ... doomed to never be finished!

The truth is that time management is easy for some, and downright impossible for others! Unfortunately, no one sells extra hours, a magic pill to make you super organized, or an easy button to get all of your things done. Well ... maybe a magic pill but not without horrible side effects or possible jail time! The only thing you can do is either do it yourself or pay (or bribe) someone else into doing it, and unfortunately money gets in the way of hired help for most of us.

I don't have some earth shattering system to introduce you to or some new way of completing all of those mundane things that you hate. However, I have come up with a way of doing things that actually motivates me and helps to keep me on track.

So, What is this system? A LIST

Now the way that I keep and do my list is a little different, but at the end of the day I get things accomplished and I feel good about what I have done, and any good motivator will tell you that this feeling of accomplishment really is the most important thing.

So, go make a list of everything you want to accomplish, but also include things that you want to do and get enjoyment from doing ... even things that you would otherwise consider indulgent! Things like watching your favorite TV show or spending time with family or friends are just as important as scrubbing toilets and mopping floors. These are the things that will energize you, calm your soul, and keep you going to get the less appealing things completed.

Now some people will tell you to prioritize and do the most important things first, but I am telling you to just do something on the list! You may not feel like doing the most important thing first thing in the morning. Having your coffee and reading a book or magazine might be more motivating to you first thing. Just do one thing on your list and get it checked off! Just the act of checking something off on your list will most likely help you to continue doing something else on the list.

Now go ... make that list!! Start checking things off!!

Next Tuesday I'll be talking about workaholics and making time for fun stuff!

Is Business Taking over your life?

2011-09-06T11:19:00.002-04:00

I am blogging today for the Aspiring Artisan's Guild! The time management topic for today is Business Is Taking Over My Life!

Go Check it out!

New Fabrics Added!

2011-08-31T12:39:00.004-04:00

I finally got around to adding some new fabrics to the fabrics page, and unfortunately taking off some that are sold out now. Here are the new additions ... well all the one's I have taken pictures of!

Time Management Daily Post

2011-08-30T09:56:00.004-04:00

I am one of the writers over on the Aspiring Artisan's Guild blog, and I am starting a time management series. Here is a link to today's post: Time Management Series 1

While you are there, you ought to check out the blog and other talented artists who are either working their businesses full time or working their way to that point!

Consolidation is in order!

2011-08-22T09:19:00.001-04:00

I feel like I have been chopped up into little bits and spread all over!

I've been blogging all over ... and sadly not blogging here!

So, over the next few weeks I will be working on consolidating all of those places and sharing all of my posts with you here! And ... I won't be blogging in all of those other places ...

The craziness has finally caught up with me!

Cha-Cha-Cha Changes

2011-05-27T11:59:00.002-04:00

I'll be fiddling around with the blog the next few days ... Linking it to my NEW online shop! WooHoo!

I hope that it will allow shoppers a little easier experience from trying to find things and check out in the Artfire shop!

So, if you start looking around here and noticing that things are gone - come back in a week or so and it should be worked out - or leave me a comment and I will direct you over there!

I'll announce my new shop soon!!

DIY - A new Patio! Well ... maybe a mud pit!

2011-05-19T19:39:00.004-04:00

Here's my new patio!

Ok ... well, it isn't a patio yet! I really wish I had taken a picture before we dug up the bushes, moved all the bulbs, and replanted the flowers! But ... I am not re-doing all of that work for the sake of my blog!

Anyway, we have no outdoor space for a table, chair or anything else! We have plenty of grass, but it is really a pain to move table and chairs all of the time to mow. Our front porch is tiny only about 4 feet x 8 feet and really not enough room for even a chair. So, my husband and I are putting in a small patio!

Now, I will say that pouring concrete is NOT for the faint of heart! It requires lots of digging, planning, tamping, prepping ... In the end it will probably cost less than if we were to build a deck the same size, but only because we are doing most of this work ourselves.

I'll try to be better about taking pictures so you can see this process ... in the mean time you can see a picture of the flower bed where I moved all of those flowers and bulbs. The bulbs are all buried though ... so it will be spring 2012 before you see those!

Gourds ... The gift that keeps on giving ...

2011-05-19T07:38:00.002-04:00

Here is our string of gourds

We planted gourds in our garden last year - I thought it would be fun to grow some bird house gourds. This may be a decision that I regret! I think we might have too many! I am trying to bring them to cub scouts one night so that all of the cub scouts can make a bird house and take it home. Hopefully that can happen in the fall.

For now, we are enjoying listening to them rattle together in the wind ... and wondering how many will pop up in the garden ... the gourds are going to take over ... they are planning a gourd revolution ... watch out beans, corn, tomatoes ... the gourds are coming ...

MooreMagnets is going to California!

2011-05-18T13:38:00.002-04:00

Recently I was contacted by Fox Parlor in Sierra City, CA and they wanted to feature MooreMagnets notebooks and journals in their shop!

Here's the goodies that are being sent to their shop tomorrow

So if you are visiting Sierra City, California stop in and have a look! It looks like a lovely place to visit!

Beyond the Magnets - Strawberries galore!

2011-05-16T16:05:00.008-04:00

So, You may be wondering where I have been!

I've been updating my blog occasionally, but really not on a regular basis. The main reason is because I've been busy filling orders and working on home things.

So, I thought you might enjoy taking a look at some of the things that I have going on - Non-Magnet related projects!

Here is our little strawberry patch!

Excuse the weeds - it is actually much better than it was!

I started out with just 8 or 9 strawberry plants 4 years ago, and they have spread quite nicely!

So far I have picked about 10 quarts of strawberries from this little patch. Although we could have more if the birds and rabbits didn't like strawberries so much!

Most of them were eaten right away, but I have also frozen about 4 quarts.

Since my birthday is today!! I made pound cake over the weekend - Let me tell ya - Paula Deans Pound Cake is YUMMY, and really easy to make! Here's the recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/mamas-pound-cake-recipe/index.html

For the topping I used some of the strawberries from my strawberry patch. I took 1 quart of strawberries from the freezer, thawed them out in the fridge overnight, then put them in a sauce pan on the stove. I added about 1/4 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar - you can add more depending on how tart you want your strawberries. I prefer mine tart since the pound cake is so sweet. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Then I put the mixture in back in the fridge until cool - although you can serve it warm if you like.

Next time I will let you know what we are doing in our front yard!!

Quick Weekend Sale!

2011-05-13T13:46:00.002-04:00

If you are looking for a graduation present a magnet board is a great idea!

Spend $25 or more in my shop and get 20% off using the code "classof2011"

Visit MooreMagnets's Studio

SAVE 20.00 % On Items between: $25 and $1000

Use Coupon Code:

CLASSOF2011

during checkout.

180 CD's on One Flash Drive

2011-05-09T08:53:00.008-04:00

I've still been cleaning and decluttering around here ... just not being very good about updating my blog! Between taxes, spring break, end-of-school-year-craziness ... and regular work ... The blog has been a wee bit neglected!

But, for the last month or so, I have vowed to FINALLY put all of our music cd's on the computer, and on a flash drive!

180+ CD's later ... here I am!

Can you believe that huge stack of CD's fit on this little 8G flash drive!

Notebooks for you!

2011-03-31T10:06:00.004-04:00

For years I have been holding on to some old books that my boys nearly destroyed ... they really were just not suitable for donation given the colored on and ripped pages. But I hated to throw them away!

So, I've recycled the covers and made cute notebooks!!

These notebooks have a total of 100 lined pages. The pages are separated into sections of 25 pages, and each section has a pocket page which is tabbed so that you can easily flip to that section.

Use them to keep up with lots of lists! Perhaps you keep several running to do lists for personal, business, groceries, and all of those other ideas running through your head!

You can find them in my Artfire shop!

I just want to find my keys!

2011-03-18T08:54:00.002-04:00

I don't want to live in the neatest, most organized house on the block. I just want to be able to find my keys!

I have a lot of people fooled. They think I am so organized, so together. They think that I do as much as 4 people!

Well ... let me fill you in ... I am not that way at all! Really, most days I just feel like I am treading water in the housekeeping department, barely getting all of my priority todo's done, and running out the door without makeup on. Most days, I feel like if I have done those things then I am doing okay.

Well ... this year I want more than that. I actually want to keep the house clean, get more than just the priority todo's done, and at least occasionally put make up on and fix my hair.

How am I going to do that? Truthfully ... I have no idea! I didn't grow up in a neat house, my mom was the perpetual "run around like a chicken with it's head cut off" kind of mom. Now, don't get me wrong, I had a great mom! She was just busy, always busy, never ever do I remember when my mom wasn't busy, and now I know that she regrets being so busy.

I don't really want to be that busy mom. I want to have time just to sit down with my kids and play a game ... and I do ... However, I haven't escaped the nagging voice in the back of my head that is constantly reminding me of the 101 other very important things that I should or could be doing in that moment. I keep telling myself that the game IS a very important thing and I SHOULD be playing with my kids ... darned conscious!

So, how am I fighting off everything I learned as a child?

- Stop, relax, really look at my list and decide what is really important and what things do I perceive as important.
-Evaluating the time commitment of the things on my list and being choosy to what things I sign myself up todo.
- Remembering what I did in the past and deciding if those are things I would like to repeat, or if those things need to be eliminated.
- Be nice to myself and my children. Remembering that taking care of myself sometimes does mean that I am taking care of my children.

New Large Coupon Organizers

2011-03-17T12:52:00.003-04:00

I've just listed some new large coupon organizers in my shop! Here is a sneak peak!

You can see all coupon organizers Here!

Day of the week magnets!

2011-03-16T11:01:00.007-04:00

Keep up with your daily lists with these day of the week magnets!

Use them to post your daily todo list, menu, things to mail during the week, or just as a complimentary magnet to your office decor!

I'm Drowning in Taxes ... So I am having a Sale!

2011-03-02T09:55:00.006-05:00

I am drowning in tax forms!!

As most of you know ... I don't have many sales or coupons for my shop! So, you better get in on this one while it lasts!

I am spending this week getting my taxes finished, so in honor of our favorite time of year (I say that with as much sarcasm as possible!), I am having a 20% off sale in my Artfire shop! Coupon is good starting today and ending 11:59pm EST Sunday, March 6th.

This is ONLY good in my Artfire shop! http://MooreMagnets.artfire.com

SAVE 20.00 % On
All Items

Use Coupon Code:

2011TAXES

during checkout.

MooreMagnets

Organizing the desk ... continued

2011-02-25T10:25:00.005-05:00

I am still doing my best to participate in OrgJunkie's 52 weeks of organizing challenge ... so far I am pretty happy with my progress. I haven't done as much as I would have liked, but I at least don't feel like I am backsliding too much!.

This week I took time to do something that few of us who make things to sell does anymore. I made something for MYSELF! Actually, that isn't the whole truth ... I already had a wall pocket for myself, but it had not been modified to hang on the wall since we got the new cabinets, and it had never been covered in fabric!

So - Here it is! All finished and covered in fabric ... and hung on the wall!

I am also still really diggin the containers under the cabinets!

I will be keeping all of the paperwork that I use on a daily basis here. Things that I always need handy so I don't have to dig in a file drawer for them.

I do need to make folders, but here is a list of the folders I will be making:

Outstanding Orders
Urgent

That's it! All other paperwork and files can be put somewhere else hidden away from daily view!

And yes, maybe I will be able to find those invoices that I have printed and not have to print new ones when the order is ready to be mailed!

If you want to participate in the challenge - head on over to Orgjunkie's website!

Organizing - Up and outa there!

2011-02-16T08:44:00.012-05:00

So, since I missed a few weeks of organizing projects there ... I thought I should do a couple extra this week!

You may remember reading about my epiphany that I had on Monday - that my desk was always a mess because I was setting myself up for it to be that way ... So, I am doing something about that!

This is actually a picture of the Cleaned up desk ... but you might notice that overflowing basket of stuff I need to sort. Not the nicest thing to look at!

So, I found it a new home INSIDE the cabinet! I actually had another storage thingy in here before, but since I only use it a few times a year, I decided that it could live somewhere else!

Now my storage for important things and things I need to sort is right next to me when I am sitting at the desk.

I'll have to make sorting it a project for next week!

Also earlier this week I came up with this fabulous idea to put magnets underneath my cabinets, and store some of the items I have for sale there until they sold!

However, I liked the idea so much ... and decided that I could use those containers for organizing ... I decided to just take some out and keep them for myself! So, now I have this whole little section where all of the different size buttons and grommets I need are labeled and in easy reach!

I think it looks pretty neat too!

Now I just need to get all of these photographed and listed for sale! I am going to see if I can round out the sets though and make them all sets of three! I think I will even include a magnet in case someone wants to put them under their cabinets too!

An organized desk ... and what I WANT it to look like!

2011-02-14T10:35:00.004-05:00

So ... I have this fantastic new desk space! We actually installed these cabinets and countertops right before Christmas ... and yes - what an excellent Christmas present it is!!

The only problem ... the counters RARELY look like this picture!

However, it dawned on me this morning - that the reason that it doesn't look like this more often is because I am setting myself up for it to NOT look like this!

Normally I have some project out on the counter that stays there for days, but I also want to be able to cut fabric in that exact same spot. Also, there is usually papers out on the printer ... but they are there because I haven't created another place for them to live! Also ... let's talk about pens, scissors, and rulers! I usually have a huge container that is full to the brim with pens, scissors, and rulers out on the counter ... but I also have pens, rulers and scissors in the drawer right next to me ...

So ... this week I am going to be working on making new homes for these things - or clearing out space so that these things have a place to live! The way this space looks right now makes me HAPPY! I completely understand that it won't look like this while I am working on something, but it CAN look like this MOST of the time!

So ... onward and upward - start out with the space that you WANT and then make the things that you need fit into that vision ... if it doesn't fit ... then evaluate if you really need it!

ACK! I only have 10 minutes for organizing! Tackling the Junk Drawer

2011-02-10T11:45:00.008-05:00

ACK! I am running really low on time lately ... unfortunately my blog shows this all too well! My shop has been hopping, which is FANTASTIC, but it has left little time to stay on my 52 weeks of organizing goal!

So ... today I decided to set aside 10 minutes for organizing!

What in the world can you get organized in 10 minutes? Well, it took me a few minutes to figure that out too ... so then I only had 8 minutes!

1st thought - The kitchen junk drawer! We all have one ... a drawer where you put all of that stuff that you don't know where to put it!

Here it is before:

I am embarrassed to say that the drawer would not even open when I first pulled on it. So, obviously this was needed!

So ... Operation - take everything out and put it on the counter for sorting ... Not Pretty!!

I actually found that most of the stuff in here already had another home to live in!

(Probably doesn't surprise all of you professional organizers!!)

So, tools went to the tool box, office supplies to the desk, medical stuff to the medical box, and so on ....

I did decide to leave pens, pencils, and note pads in the drawer even though they could be thought of as office supplies, but this is really close to the phone where I need to jot down a quick note ... and I don't want those living on the counter!

Finished! Still had a minute to spare!

And the drawer opens now!!

Dinner is ...

2011-01-08T16:39:00.002-05:00

I've been telling myself for a while that I was going to start making better meals for my family ... ones that they will want me to make over and over again!!

So, can you tell what I am making this weekend?

I didn't have a wok before, and our largest skillet just would handle stirfry without having to cook it in several batches.

I found a yummy recipe for orange chicken, so I am trying that out. Also, making a chicken stir fry with mushrooms, baby corn, water chestnuts, bok choy, and green peppers, and white and fried rice ... I will let you know the results on Monday!!

52 Weeks of Organizing - Week 1

2011-01-07T07:56:00.007-05:00

So, I am committing to the 52 Weeks of organizing over on OrgJunkie's blog

Here is my Week 1 Project.

I haven't shared with all of you my FABULOUS new workspace, but I will try to do that soon ... perhaps after some of these 52 weeks project!

Anyway - we moved out my work area furniture and installed upper and lower cabinets in our living room - before the spaced was lined with a metal cabinet, desk, and armoire that I used for my business. Now the cabinets give it a more streamlined look - although I did have to do quite a bit of re-arranging.

So, my week one project is this cabinet pictured -

I had a metal file organizer in one side, but since I only had one, the otherside is still just stacked with a basket on top - really pretty unfriendly to actually get anything out of. So, yesterday I took action and ordered another file organizer!

Originally I searched on Etsy and found a few vintage ones, next I searched ebay, next I searched a few office supply stores ... well I finally ended up back at Etsy to order the vintage one.

Here is a picture of that one - it is coming soon! I already got the shipping notification from the seller!! Thanks, AuntSistersPicks!!

This is going to be great to sort out all of the different labels and papers that I use for various business tasks!

I also like that it will fit inside the cabinet and when I close the door I still have the streamlined look that I am going for!

The Pitfalls of being married to Mr. Fix-it

2011-01-06T12:50:00.003-05:00

As some of you know, I am lucky to be married to a Mr. Fix-it. Now, I don't want you to think that I am complaining, as being married to a Mr. Fix-it has allowed me to have lots of tools and gadgets at my disposal. Some of which precipitated the creation of my lovely magnet boards. However, there are some pitfalls associated with being married to a Mr. Fix-it.

This post was inspired by one of my lovely etsy friends, BlueVelvetHeart, who is currently experiencing household appliance woes. Her washing machine is broken, and it is taking the repair service a week to get the part to fix it. All of this while having a potty-training toddler with a stomach bug!

It got me thinking, how much I would like for our washer or dryer to break beyond repair. You know, to the point where having it fixed is either not an option, or as expensive as getting a new one.

You see, our washing machine and dryer are 18 years old ... dinosaurs in the household appliance world ... and I have a severe case of washing machine envy! I would really like a front-load washer and dryer that can be stacked on top of each other ... which would allow me to increase our pantry space significantly.

Our washer and dryer have gone on the fritz a few times in the last 5 years ... but my husband has been able to fix them each time ... and they keep humming along like old faithful ... squashing my dreams of a new washer and dryer.

Now I am certainly grateful that my husband has these "fixing" abilities ... but it also makes him assume that his wife is a Mrs. Fix-it. This has required me to crawl underneath our house to fix a leaking ice maker water line, the same morning that I had an exam for the hardest college class (Astronomy). I have also had to help him pull the motor out of our little Honda Civic when I was 6 months pregnant. I have also had to help him fill a concrete block wall up with grout during Christmas vacation so that we could install a VERY heavy steel beam in a garage. These are only a handful of "Fix-it" projects that I have had to undertake due to being married to Mr. Fix-it.

So, honey, my dear Mr. Fix-it ... could you promise to NOT fix the washer and dryer the next time they break ... I would really like for you to pretend to be a Mr. Buy it next time =)

New Year equals new projects and goals!

2011-01-04T07:51:00.000-05:00

So, I haven't really set any new year's resolutions this year, and given everything that has happened in my household over the last few months, I had really decided that I just wanted to work on "normal".

However, not having a goal or project to reach for this year has really been eating at me. So, when I read about the 52 Weeks of Organizing over on OrgJunkie's blog, I thought this would be the perfect small project to work on.

Basically you are just thinking of 52 areas or things that you would like to get organized during 2011 and then talk about them on Friday's.

So, this week I will work on at least a partial list of 52 things and also complete one organizing project. I'll take pictures and blog about it on Friday!

New Year equals new fabrics!

2011-01-03T11:27:00.003-05:00

Here are a couple of new fabrics that I received over the holiday! I am really excited about the Red and Ivory one! I just might have to cover a couple of magnet boards with it this week!

Seasonal Items

2010-11-16T07:07:00.005-05:00

I am currently working on broadening my line of seasonal items.

Currently you can find 3 different Advent Calendars in my shop! These advent calendars are great because they can be used year after year, and coming soon you will be able to buy additional magnets to countdown to other events throughout the year. Some of the other countdowns coming include birthdays, back to school, and other fun holidays!

Click here to visit the Seasonal Section of my shop!

Framed Magnet Boards

2010-11-15T08:55:00.005-05:00

Framed Magnet Boards are made using both handcrafted frames and salvaged frames.

Frames can be made to fit any magnet board. Please email me for a quote and reference the size magnet board you would like framed. april@mooremagnets.com

To see in stock framed magnet boards please visit the Framed Magnet Boards section of my shop!

Unframed Magnet Boards

2010-11-10T07:50:00.006-05:00

These boards are perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, offices, craft rooms, and anywhere else you need to keep up with messages, notes, phone numbers, appointments, etc. Unlike magnetic boards you can purchase at an office supply store, my boards offer many different color and/or fabric choices to suit your taste.

Add some of my magnetic tins and make it a jewelry holder, spice rack, bead organizer, or something else handy!

Unframed Magnet Boards are available in unlimited custom sizes and many standard sizes. Standard Sizes are listed below - Click on Small, Medium, Large etc to go to that section of my shop!

Small - Includes 8 inch x 10 inch, 10 inch x 10 inch, 6 inch x 12 inch

Medium - Includes 12 inch x 12 inch, 12 inch x 18 inch, 6 inch x 24 inch

Large - Includes 16 inch x 16 inch, 36 inch x 8.5 inch, 16 inch x 20 inch

Extra-Large - 18 inch x 24 inch, 24 inch x 24 inch

Giant - 36 inch x 24 inch - These are not listed in my shop and are considered custom items.

Create Your Own MooreMagnet Product

2010-11-09T08:32:00.006-05:00

Here at Moore Magnets, I welcome custom orders with open arms! 50% of my business is made up of custom orders, and I love working with people to find the perfect fabric or size for their kitchen, office, bedroom, or gift!

How do you order a custom item?

First check out the "Create Your Own" section of my shop! I have 10 different sizes of magnet boards listed there, as well as pencil holders, letter holders, and wall pockets that you can pick your own fabric for. You just purchase the item, and send me a message either during check out or email me at april@mooremagnets.com and let me know your fabric selection.

What if I want a different size?

If you would like a different size magnet board then please contact me at april@mooremagnets.com with the size magnet board that you would like and the zip code that the board will be shipped to. If you see a fabric on one of the create your own listings that you want - please let me know which one. Or, if you don't see a fabric that you like, please let me know what you are looking for - for a child, teen, adult - colors - theme - and likes and dislikes that you have. Your quote is somewhat dependent on fabric choice, but I will be happy to give you a range in price.

Where are your giant magnet boards?

I do make and ship giant magnet boards, but due to the wide range of shipping costs throughout the country they are not available for immediate purchase and you must contact me for your size request along with the zip code it will be shipped to.

What if I want it framed?

I do make frames for any board, please contact me for price and details. I hope to someday add this functionality to my site, but alas, that day has not come yet.

What if I want something that I don't see listed?

I am always open to new ideas! So just shoot me an email with yours!

Coupon Organizers

2010-11-08T08:35:00.005-05:00

Coupon Organizers!

Perfect companion for anyone who clips lots of coupons!

Click the picture to go shopping!

Coupon books have 7 pages with 14 pockets. 12 pre-printed labels and 6 blank labels are included for you to customize the book to fit your shopping style. This also allows you to use the labels that suit your needs, and make your own labels for things that fit your household.

Coupon Organizers come in 2 Sizes

Standard - 5.5 inch x 5.5 inch
Large - 6 inch x 8 inch

Accessories for your Magnet Board

2010-11-05T10:40:00.013-04:00

Pen / Pencil / Chalk Holders
This item can be customized to match most magnet boards

Yes, you can find pens with a magnet embedded into or attached to the pen, but when the pen runs out, you have to buy another one. On the other hand, my great little cube will hold virtually all writing utensils less than 3/8” in diameter. You've got a pen or pencil right where you need one, and the holder can be used again and again.

If you're anything like me, you have at least one magnetic note pad on your refrigerator, but you can never find a pen to write on it. This special cube looks attractive and keeps that pen or pencil right next to the magnetic pad with no string to get tangled or torn.

You'll want to buy more than one of these great handcrafted pencil holders because they disappear fast—sneaking into your craft room, the office, and the garage or workshop!

Stands for Small Magnet Boards
Add a small stand to your small sized magnet board. This will allow you to use your magnet board on a desk, counter, bookshelf, or dresser.

Your small magnet board sits in the stand and no assembly is required.

It is best to purchase the stand at the same time as you purchase your magnet board since each stand and board is handmade, and I can choose one that fits your magnet board perfectly. However, if you have already purchased your magnet board you can send me the thickness and size of your magnet board and a stand can be created.

Please note that for Magnet boards larger than 10 inches additional stands may be required to function properly.

Magnetic Letter / Mail / Note Holder
This magnetic letter, mail or note holder is such a great addition to any magnet board, office cabinet, refrigerator, locker ... Use it to keep coupons, mail, notes, shipping supplies, orders, invoices, bills or a hundred other things in one place.

I can customize the fabric to match most of the magnet boards listed in my store - please contact me for availability!

The metal is cut and bent by me in my shop so the measurements vary. Larger sizes are available.

Shown holding 40 empty envelopes.

Magnet Tins for Magnet Boards - Clear Lid

These are great for storing all kinds of items on your magnet board or fridge! Imagine your magnet board in your office, kitchen, bedroom, or craft room and keeping all of the little doo-dads that get strewn from one end of the house to the other!

You can store paper clips, binder clips, rubber bands, rolls of tape, earrings, necklaces, rings, needles, scrapbook supplies, and the list goes on and on! These are food grade containers so you can store spices too!

Ummm Your shop is looking kind of Empty!

2010-11-04T08:34:00.002-04:00

As most of you know - MooreMagnets is a one-woman-show. I cut all of the metal, backer board, fabric, and do all of the creating myself! And, after a very busy October, the pickings in the MooreMagnets shop are getting pretty slim!

After this weekend, and a delivery to a shop on Tuesday - inventory will be further decreased.

After Tuesday I will be working on stocking up the shop again!

So you can look forward to new designs and a variety of sizes! If the weather will hold out for painting, I will also be adding several framed boards to my collection as well.

In the meantime, if you see a fabric from the "create your own" section - Please contact me ASAP to create your custom order! Custom orders to be ready for shipping before Christmas cut offs will end in Late November/Early December!

25-day Advent Calendar is here!

2010-11-03T07:16:00.004-04:00

After I added the 12-day advent calendar, I got numerous requests for a 25-day advent calendar! So, It is here now! Well, actually it isn't here ... I have run out of tins ... but they will be back in stock in 2 days!

Facelift!

2010-11-02T10:01:00.002-04:00

Over the next several days ... okay ... maybe week! You might notice some changes here at the MooreMagnets blog!

I am adding pages, updating functionality, and adding lots and lots of information here!

Soon - the MooreMagnets Blog will become the MooreMagnets website!

Stay tuned for all of the wonderful changes!

What's new??

2010-10-25T12:23:00.005-04:00

What a whirlwind!!!

The month of October is flying buy in a flash! I have just come off of a 3 craft shows in 3 weeks stint and this week I am preparing to make deliveries to two separate shops! So, my inventory is low, but that is not stopping shoppers from getting in their orders for custom pieces!

I have also managed to squeeze in a couple new products and orders for a few new fabrics!

Here are my two new products:

Wall Pockets!

These are a magnet board and file holder in one!

They easily hold standard file folders, paper, mail, magazines and other items that you need to keep up with all while providing a magnet board to put a label, hold a note or card.

They are also covered in beautiful fabrics so you can customize them to match your decor!

Much better than those plastic eye sores sold at the office supply store!

Next! Magnetic Advent Calendars!

This advent calender is made up of 12 magnets and tins to stick the magnets to. So put little goodies inside and enjoy the countdown of the last 12 days before Christmas.

Better yet, you can use these magnetic tins for storage when the Christmas holiday is over!

New Fabrics!

1st up is Miller's Dandelion fabric - this one is going to be HOT! It is also backordered, so if you like it - order it now as I don't know when I will get more in! It has beautiful white dandelions on a Gray Background.

Next is Miller's Delovely Damask. Silver glittery damask pattern on White.

And the Winner is ...

2010-10-01T08:41:00.001-04:00

The winner of my celebration give away is

JewelsbyTrish!

Random.org gave me a random integer of 31!

Congrats JewelsbyTrish!!!

Celebrating with a Giveaway!!!

2010-09-23T07:26:00.006-04:00

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!! I had my 600th sale in my Etsy shop yesterday!!!

It has taken me 844 days to get to the 600th sale mark! So, to celebrate this milestone I am having a GIVEAWAY!!!!

The winner of the giveaway will get an 8 inch x 10 inch magnet board and they get to pick out the fabric that they want from the fabrics listed in pictures 3, 4, or 5 of the listing. You can click on the picture below to view this item in my Artfire shop! Shipping is free for winners within the US, if the winner is outside of the US then they can either pay the difference in shipping to their country (a maximum of $10), or they can redeem a gift certificate worth $25 USD (gift certificate has no monetary value and therefore no amount will be refunded if the entire $25 USD is not used).

So, how do you get in on this deal?

You get one entry for doing each of these things - you must leave a separate comment for each entry:

1st - click on the picture above and tell me your favorite fabric!
2nd - tell me what item in my shop is your favorite item!
3rd - follow my blog - if you are already a follower then leave a comment indicating that
4th - Like my facebook page - if you already like my fan page then leave a comment indicating that

You get 2 entries for each dollar you spend in my store between now and September 30th (shipping not included in the dollars spent) - So if you buy a $5 item then you get 10 extra entries!

This giveaway closes at Midnight Eastern Daylight Time on September 30th 2010, and the winner will be announced on October 1st 2010. The winner will be chosen using http://www.random.org/integers/

Let the Games Begin!!!

Please come visit me UPS man!

2010-09-22T00:23:00.002-04:00

So, Last week I received a wonderful surprise! A new toy! A new tool!

Too bad it DIDN'T WORK

I didn't even get to try it out =(

Anyway, the company is sending me another one, but I am so anxiously awaiting it's arrival! I have been having dreams about the delivery guy bringing me a box!

Ah, get your mind out of the gutter! Really, in my dream I pretty much just go on and on about my new purchase and I am busily putting the return sticker on the one that doesn't work. Next I slam the door in his face and get to work!

I wanna play ... I've been saving for this one for a while!

Reaching your breaking point

2010-09-20T13:14:00.003-04:00

So, Fall is approaching briskly and the holiday's are much closer than I care to admit. My blood pressure has been elevated much more than usual lately, and I am about to reach my breaking point!

Yikes ... sounds like it is time for a bit of a re-adjustment in my life!

At some point I am going to have to face the facts that I just cannot keep juggling all of these balls, wearing all of these hats, and keep all of these commitments.

It isn't easy giving up something and re-adjusting the things in your life.

Any suggestions? Lists aren't working anymore =(

Photography Secrets Revealed - Number 2

2010-09-16T10:19:00.002-04:00

Okay - this is follow up to the first photography secrets - but sometimes a flat place is not the best situation to photograph - so here is when you need a background

Materials again - the lego table, foam core (2 sheets this time) and tripod

You must prepare the foam core this time - You want to cut the back side of the foam core - but you DO NOT want to cut all the way through - just score it on the back side (the back side of mine are blue and not white) Then bend the foam core. This way you don't have to use tape and worry about the edge of the tape collecting dust and starting to look all yucky.

The second piece of foam core is not scored and is just used to bounce light off of

You will need something to prop the edge of the bent foam core up on - mine is leaned against a floor lamp.

Next - put product on

Next - download pictures - crop and bump up the brightness

Hope this helps someone!

Photography Secrets Revealed! Number 1

2010-09-12T09:57:00.010-04:00

So, I decided that I might try to help some of you out with my high-tech photography secrets. Actually none of them are high-tech and I think that just about everyone with a window could duplicate them!

So here is my set up - This is a picture of my son's lego table - mind you that it is never really used for playing legos - but it is the right size for a lot of things. I bought the lego table at good will for about $2. I place it infront of a window on my living room - The window faces East. I do use a tripod - it is important!

Next, I place a piece of foam core on top of the lego table ... I bought about 5 of them at walmart - I think they were about $2 a piece

Next - put product on board

Lower the tripod and take one more

Next, Download pictures on computer - crop, and bump up the brightness a bit

Done! I took these pictures, edited them, and made this post in about 15 minutes!

I Will Never Forget

2010-09-11T09:50:00.004-04:00

Take pause today. Remember.

I would love to have this print by teeheeproductions, one day it will hang proudly in my living room!

Etsy Finds, Maximizing Exposure, and What to focus on when you have limited time.

2010-09-10T08:25:00.008-04:00

So, as I announced the other day, MooreMagnets was featured in the Etsy Finds! WooHoo - my views skyrocketed and I got several sales!

Now, I feel the need to reflect on the experience, and to also share some of my tips. However, since I have no idea how I was found to get into the Etsy Finds - this post will not guarantee that you will be featured.

My suggestions on getting in to the Etsy Finds.

Each month Etsy publishes a Merchandising Report on the Storque. Read it, relate it, and take action!

Read it - Every month if you don't have time to read anything else on Etsy - reading the Etsy Merchandising Report should be number one on your list. I don't care if you have to print it out, take it into the bathroom, and lock the door - you SHOULD be reading it. Consider it your ultimate guide to Etsy for the month!

Relate it - After you read the merchandising report you need to pick out things that you can relate to your shop. You may have things already in your shop that fit the report, you may be able to make things that fit the themes, or you may be sparked to make something new that fits.

Take Action - As soon as the merchandising report comes out you need to go in and tag your items on Etsy with the key words from the merchandising post. If you are making something new then you need to get on it ASAP, get those things photographed with knock out photos, and get them listed with the appropriate tags!

Maximizing your exposure -

If you find yourself featured or if you have the opportunity to be featured somewhere you need to learn how to maximize your exposure.

Quantities - If you find yourself featured you should immediately increase the quantity on the item featured if you can make more of that item. Now - if it is an OOAK (one of a kind) item then you will not be able to do this, but if it is an item that you can make more of you need to at least increase the quanity available to 2 or more. If it is a listing on Etsy - please note that you will be charged 20 cents for each additional one - so if you are not financially prepared to pay for this then skip this step - after all, sales are not guaranteed from your feature!

The reason to increase the quantity is that the url that is posted will go to the item - if you have only one of the item listed and it sells then the url will go to an item that is sold out and your customer will have to hunt down another item in your shop. You want to make shopping as easy as possible - the more clicks someone has to go through to find something in your shop, the less likely it is that you will sell something.

If it is an OOAK item - then you should include a link to similar items in each listing. This may be a link to a section in your store or a link to a search within your store.

If you are considering applying to be featured somewhere - perhaps a blog or website - consider featuring one of your items that you can make multiples of. Think about how many of this item you sell in a month and increase your quantity to that number. New buyers find it easy to increase the quantity of something in their shopping cart, but don't really understand that you might have multiple listings of the same item. Again, make it as easy as possible.

You should do some research on how to find places to be featured and what to look for in a blog to be featured on. All blogs do not receive the same amount of traffic and my advice is intended for high traffic blogs! Consider asking the blog owner for referrals from past featured artists and contact them - or look back at previous featured artists and contact them about their experience. If a blog does not want to give you referrals then big red flags should be flying in your head - proceed with caution!

Giveaways - Lots of blogs want you to giveaway an item when you are being featured. Why do they want to do this? Well - first of all holding a giveaway is the absolute best way for the blog to increase their readership and hits. Lots of blog writers will submit their giveaways to sites that promote giveaways and the people that enter the giveaways do this over and over again - they submit their information to hundreds of giveaways - they just want to win something.

Consider offering a percent off of an item or multiple items in your store during the time of the giveaway. The percent off should start on the day your giveaway starts and should allow the buyer to get "extra entries" for the giveaway. You should require them to post a keyword in order to receive the percent off so that you know if they came from the giveaway or not. You may also consider setting an end date to this sale - perhaps the day that the giveaway ends. This is to prompt sales during the feature - and not just a bunch of people wanting to get something free.

Please note that giveaways do not always lead to an increase in sales! Blogging is a business - and giveaways are a way for bloggers to increase their readership and hits in order for their google ranking to be higher and for them to sell advertising by having lots of hits on their blogs. You need to look for additional content on a blog - look for articles that do not involve giveaways and pay attention to the comments on the posts that do not involve a giveaway. You should also look for similar items that are being given away or some sort of theme to the items. A theme may be as simple as things that mommies love, or something more focused such as items for pets. You want to make sure your items fit into their theme.

Items for review - The jury is still out for me on the topic of bloggers asking for items to review and not paying for these items. I am choosing not to comment on this right now as I can not be confident on if I think it is a good thing as far as a promotion for your shop or if it is just something free for the blogger.

What to Focus on Today, Right Now!

Most all of us have a long list of things that we need todo for our shops, products, family, work, and other things we are committed to. So these are my opinions on somethings that you should focus on first.

First things first - Go to your shop right now and pick out your listing that has the best pictures - the one that is most clickable. Then go read the current merchandising post in the Etsy Storque and decide if you can add tags to that listing that apply to the merchandising post and edit those tags. You may also want to re-word your title and the first two sentences of your description to add some of those key words.

Second things second - get your pictures in order! Pick one thing - either a new listing or an existing item in your shop and work on the pictures for that one item. I spent an entire day - a total of 6 hours working on the picture for the item that was chosen for the Etsy finds feature. Granted this was done over 6 months ago, but it took me 135 pictures to get that first picture just right. I changed locations, angles, arrangement, lighting, settings on my camera, etc until I got the picture to something that I felt was worthy of the Etsy front page.

My suggestion is to work on the pictures for an item that you can make more of the same thing, is similar to the most abundant thing in your shop, or is most similar to the size and shape of the other things in your shop. This way - once you figure out how to photograph this item in the best way, then you can apply this technique to other items in your shop.

If you don't know where to start - get on the Etsy forum and search for photo tips, light boxes, and suggestions on photographing your items. There are lots of things that you can do if you have a camera that works, a lamp or access to the outdoors, and a surface that is flat and of uniform texture and color. You do not need to be a professional photographer to take excellent pictures of your items. You do however need to make a time investment in your shop to figure out your pictures.

Once you have one item with an excellent picture - use this item to be featured - use it as one of your featured item, and make sure it is tagged to its maximum ability.

Third things third - take an honest look at your shop! If your photographs are not appealing, out of focus, dark, etc - then work on photographs - either by redoing existing listings or by taking good photographs of your new listings. It doesn't matter if you have the best tags in the whole world if you don't have half-way decent pictures of your items then the results of any feature, search, or promotion will not result in increased sales unless you are marketing to people that have seen your products in person.

Forth things Forth - redo tags and titles on listings that have good photographs. You may only have time to take pictures of two things every day - once you have good photographs on those two items then go in and reassess your tags, titles, and descriptions.

Keep on Going! - Keep moving forward - you may not be fast, but eventually you will get it done! Focus on the first page of your shop and new listings - after that move item by item until your entire store is full of decent pictures and tagged and titled appropriately.

Ask for help! - If you find yourself stuck at anytime - ask someone for help! A good helper is someone who you either trust or admire and will give you an honest and helpful critique.

Shhhhhh!!!! I have a secret!

2010-09-09T13:36:00.001-04:00

Hey! I have a secret and I am dying to tell!

I have been working on some new crafts ... and I will be opening a new shop soon!

*smile*

I will show you pictures of my new goodies next week!

MooreMagnets in the Etsy Finds!

2010-09-08T07:33:00.003-04:00

I cannot tell you how excited I was to find myself in the Etsy Finds yesterday! Honestly it was a surreal experience to click on the Storque Blog post, scroll down, and see MY picture there!

My views are through the roof and I even have a few orders to fill! Better get busy! No cleaning for me today =)

Hit the ground Running!

2010-09-07T07:02:00.002-04:00

Oh, I had a great night's sleep! Woke up all refreshed and ready to go! As much as I love having all of my guys around for a long weekend, they sure can make a mess! I have a lot of friends who are such good house keepers. Honestly, I don't know how they do that - their counters are always clean, the floors are always clear, no dust can be found, and they must eat out all of the time! My house ... well not so much! There is always at least one room in the house that is in disarray, unless we are having an event at our house ... then I am drill sergeant mom and don't let anyone take out anything. So, today, I will strive to tackle the mess ... again ... and see if I can take one step towards becoming a more organized mom! Maybe I will get there before they all go off to college =)

Fighting the Doldrums ...

2010-09-06T17:28:00.002-04:00

So, lately I have found myself fighting the doldrums. I am trying very hard to keep on working, creating, and not let the house slip into a chaotic mess, but something is just dragging me down. I NEED to create something new! I will be working on that this week - I hope you will stay tuned to see what I come up with!

I still feel a nagging draining feeling though ... How do you combat the doldrums?

New Fabrics added!

2010-09-05T15:13:00.006-04:00

So, I went through my fabrics and got them added to my customizable boards on Etsy - I will be updating the Artfire shop this week! I am really looking forward to making some boards with them! Especially the birds and owls! These are available for all 10 sizes of the customizable magnet boards so head on over to Etsy and order your customizable magnet board now!

Treasury by MooreMagnets!

2010-09-01T08:16:00.004-04:00

'Sapphires in the Sky' by MooreMagnets

On a dark night look out and see sapphires in the sky.

72 HOUR - HALF PRICE SA... BestArtStudios... $150	ROYAL BLUE Necklace, Co... DorotaJewelry $29	Bowl Sapphire Blue Recy... CarlaLovato $67	Starry Night Necklace -... RedChair $108
Blue moon silver neckla... marieflyfly $49	Sapphire Dreams Origina... jellybeans $65	Mini Mini Sapphire Neck... ottoknits $20	Handmade Earrings, Coba... mycellardoor $19
Mariner Kyanite Necklac... CircesHouse $32.5	Sapphire Sunrise star8278 $5	Deep Sea Blue Necklace wulfgirl $22	Waiting on the Waves-Or... SarahJohnAfana $40
Square Bottle Vase - Sa... infiniteglassw... $70	Sapphire Blue Tube Neck... knittles $55	Floral Brocade Clutch i... ClutchThat $75	Prim and Proper Navy Sh... IkvothaMashiac... $88

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Oh it has been so long!

2010-08-23T23:22:00.003-04:00

I knew it had been a long time since I have blogged, but I didn't realize it had been since April!

Oh My ... I guess I had better either get back on the horse, or let it go.

So, let's try getting back on the horse before I throw in the towel.

I have blogged a lot in the past about trying to get organized, and well the past few months I have really been getting better. The house doesn't look like a tornado went through - or at least not as often as it used to! So that is a big improvement. I have also not been acquiring as much 'stuff' as I used to - so less stuff to find a place for! Hubby has FINALLY started working again, and school starts this week - so less people here to mess things up!

At least that's the plan! I seem to be able to mess things up plenty when left to my own devices, so maybe I can get better about that!

So, what did I do today?

Today I cleaned off my magnet board above my desk. It was hard putting away some of those art projects from last school year - and I must confess that I left the mother's day card up there - but with a new year comes lots and lots of new art work to display. I also went through the lunch menu with the little one to find out what days I need to pack lunch and what days he will be eating school lunch. I also clipped all of the coupons and got them organized in my coupon organizer.

Tomorrow I really need to work on things for the Etsy shop - I feel like I haven't made anything new in months! Which isn't really true, but every thing has been either for the consignment shop or custom orders - so no new listings. Which actually has been okay since I would probably would have gotten heat stroke taking pictures outside! So, tomorrow I am pulling out all the fabric, updating the fabric inventory, and taking pictures of the fabrics that aren't listed on my fabrics page! I also need to do a bit of grocery shopping and find loose leaf notebook paper since the walmart seems to be completely out!

There ya go - I have a plan now!

New Fabrics!

2010-04-07T09:30:00.002-04:00

I have been working really hard to keep the fabrics page on my website up-to-date with all of the fabrics I have available! Here are some that were recently added! Some of them I just received and a couple of them have been around a little while. I am starting to add some solids to my collection also!

I am expecting a couple more new ones this week! So stay tuned!

The Website is FINISHED!!

2010-04-05T07:17:00.002-04:00

The website is finished, published, and the store is stocked!!

Hard to believe that I still have hair left on my head ... but I do! Whew, that was a lot of work!

Hopefully now I can get back to the order of making things!!! I have new fabrics to play with, a team project to work on, and some new frames that I picked up to re-finish!

If you want to check out the website it is http://MooreMagnets.com - I would love to hear your feedback!

Website Building In Progress!

2010-03-30T17:35:00.001-04:00

Everyday I am getting closer and closer to launching my ecommerce store! On my store you will be able to build your own magnet board using the sizes and fabric selections that I have listed on my website fabric pages!

Woo Hoo! I am hoping to launch the site within the next week!

You will be the first to know!!

New, New, New Products!

2010-03-18T13:36:00.012-04:00

Here is the newest product in my shop!

NoteRacks - They function as both a note holder and a Coat Rack!

The handy hooks at the bottom are there to hold coats, purses, book bags, lunch boxes, keys, and all of the other stuff you need handy to get out the door. The secret is that each painted piece at the top is really a magnet. So you can hold notes too!

The entire board is not a magnet board - so the magnets only stick at certain places. However, the placement gives them a graphic and artsy detail.

You will be the only one on the block with a Note Rack!

I can make these in a variety of colors and shapes, and add more hooks if you would like!

Fabrics have FINALLY been cateloged!

2010-02-03T13:46:00.004-05:00

I have been asked so many times if the fabrics I have available are listed online somewhere.

Well ... I am happy to say that they finally are!

Except for the 3 new fabrics I got last night =) (Pictured below)

You can find all fabrics and the size magnet board they are available for here:

http://www.magnetboardsandmore.com/pages/fabrics.htm

Caught Up on Custom Orders and Having a Thanksgiving Sale!

2009-11-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

Studio Sale ended November 30th

Hi Everyone! I am finally caught up on custom orders and I am having a Thanksgiving sale to celebrate! Start your Christmas shopping now!

Visit MooreMagnets's Studio

SAVE 20.00 % On
All Items

Use Coupon Code:

THANKSGIVING

during checkout.

Handmade Gifts

This sale is valid only in my Artfire shop, and will end on Saturday, November 28th! It will be my biggest sale of the season!

What's going on in the MooreMagnets house?!

2009-09-21T07:24:00.003-04:00

I thought I would give you all a little update on what is going on in the MooreMagnets household! Oh, and for all of you looking for the update on the paperwork - I haven't gotten everything together to do a blog post about that, but hopefully sometime this week I will be able to give you a re-cap with pictures!

Boys! As most of you know we have 3 boys running around! Life gets pretty busy with all of them running around - especially this year! The oldest is 14 now! Hard to believe but he is a freshman in high school now! He is the kicker for the Junior Varsity football team, and he is a starter on the Varsity soccer team! Woot! Being on the varsity soccer team is quite and accomplishment for him, and he is the only freshman or sophomore on the team! Seeing them practice and play is a bit strange for me, especially since he isn't any smaller than the rest of the boys!

The middle boy has certainly sprouted this year - he is 12 now and definitely coming into his own. His father and I were incredibly shocked that he wanted to play middle school football this year - especially since he has never been very sports oriented. So, he tried out and made it!! He is one of the wide receivers on the team, so now he is really working on catching with dad and older brother.

Youngest boy is 6 now, and just as sweet as ever! Watching him develop friendships is the most wonderful thing! He wants to be in the boy scouts (trying to work out scheduling for that) and will probably play soccer in the spring!

Hubby and me are doing great! Not too many household projects going on right now other than finishing my workshop. I have taken on one project though! A dear friend of mine was recently diagnosed with adult alopecia. It really frightened me when I saw her wig sitting in her room before she had a chance to tell me what was going on. Only two short months later she has lost all of her beloved hair - all with no real known reason. Most of you who know me also know that I have enough hair for 2-3 people, so I have decided to let it grow and donate it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. Here is a picture of where I am now!

Curious about the requirements? You can find them from the link I posted above - but here is a quick rundown - must have 8 inches in length, less than 5% gray (I hope I still meet this!), no permanant hair treatments (vegetable color is okay)...

So I have about 7 inches right now - but really I am going for 10 - Hopefully I will be there by January!

Paperwork! Organizing my stacks!

2009-09-17T05:56:00.003-04:00

It's a rainy day today, and I am finally finished sending out my outstanding orders. As much as I would love to just take the day off and do nothing, I have a giant stack of paperwork staring back at me!

I have several files already set up, but since our new computer arrived, I have decided to rearrange my desk. Things are coming along nicely, but it is forcing me to tackle some of the paperwork projects that I have been putting off for a while.

I will be taking pictures during the day to show you part of the process, but here is the list of the supplies I have ready to go to tackle this project!

File Folders
Label Maker
Large clean surface (my living room floor)
Stacks of paperwork
Empty file box
Note pad
Pens/Pencils
Shredder

I am not sure if I will be able to reveal my final office yet, but stay tuned hopefully it will come soon!

New Product Preview - Wall Pockets, Spice Racks, Coupon Organizers ... Oh My!!

2009-09-16T07:43:00.002-04:00

I have been asked several times about what new products are coming from Moore Magnets! So, here is your preview of items that are in production in the workshop, a brief description, and when you can expect to see pictures and listings!

Wall Pockets - I am currently working on some wall pocket organizers that will look similar to my new letter holders. These wall pockets will be larger than the letter holders and designed to hold standard file folders (a legal file folder option will be available). These will hang on the wall with screws and magnets will stick on the surface of the wall pocket. They will be beautiful, functional, and some of them will come with matching magnet boards and other office goodies! These are scheduled to be completed in 1-2 weeks.

Spice Racks/Organizers - I am also working on some spice racks and organizer racks! They will be magnet boards that include magnet tins suitable for storing spices or other itty bitty goodies! There will be large sets and small sets and some of the magnet boards will come uncovered for those cooks that get a bit messy in the kitchen. These are scheduled to be completed in 2 weeks!

Coupon and Receipt Organizers - Sorry - can't tell you more about these! You will just have to wait patiently! These are scheduled to be completed in 2-3 weeks (maybe sooner!)

We are Experiencing Technical Difficulties....

2009-09-15T09:04:00.002-04:00

ACK! My computer crashed! It was something that my husband and I knew would happen at some point!

So - do you have an external harddrive? Do you back up your computer on it?

If so, that is great - However, you need to take the next step and actually go on to the external harddrive and make sure that your back up files are really there!

Hopefully I will have some new things to show you soon, but it will take me a few days to get back on track and figure out how to use some of this new software!

Have a great day!

Don't forget about the End of Summer Sale in my Artfire shop! Click the sale tab on the right for more details!

Organizing Tip! Organizing Digital Photos

2009-09-09T07:30:00.005-04:00

One of the hardest things for me to keep organized these days are my digital photos! I am guessing that is because they really don't take up any physical space. However, as an online seller of my craft photos are an essential part of my business. In my former life in the business world I maintained a database of thousands (maybe millions) of electronic papers and pictures and the system that we used was a dating system. It didn't take me long to figure out that we needed to use a coding system of year-month-day-document number - Today's first document would have looked like this: 2009-09-09-00001

However, that system didn't help me in business since the day that I took the photo was irrelevant. I currently use a system that uses the size of the magnet board, framed or unframed, fabric description, number - so my files end up looking something like this: 12x12Bluedots01 or 18x23Framedpinkgreendots01. For the items that I make that are not magnet boards my files look something like: pencilholderpurplegreenflower01 or mailholderorangewhitescrolls01

This naming system is generally how I keep all of my photos that have been edited, but I don't re-name the original pictures that are downloaded from my camera - I probably should, but since time is short - I don't.

Another thing that I do is I keep a file that is labeled - Show pictures - These are pictures that are my best photos of my work, and the file that I open when I need to find a picture to print for craft shows, juried sites, website design, flyers etc... Every picture in this file is a copy of the original.

There are other ways of organizing your photos, such as, coming up with a numbered category system where you have a number for each main category, perhaps a number for a subcategory, and a photo number. However, if you use a system like this you will need to make sure that you keep a list handy of all of your category and subcategory codes. Personally I prefer a system where I don't ever need a reference sheet and I can quickly look at the name of the file and determine what the photo is.

So, what is the first step to creating your own system? I would suggest that you first make a list of all of the different types of photos down, and then decide how many categories that you have and how many subcategories you have. After that you should be able to come up with some sort of system!

Labor Day is for Laboring?

2009-09-08T07:21:00.011-04:00

So It seems that every Labor Day my husband and I work on some big un-done project. So, I guess in my house - Labor Day is for laboring!

This Labor Day weekend my husband and I tackled some un-done projects on my workshop! Originally, I was just going to start painting - a project that is well over-due and desperately needed!! So I woke up bright and early - got on the painting clothes - and went outside to start my weekend project! I apparently inspired my husband to come help me, as he shortly joined me and then left to pick up breakfast. After he returned he decided to start boxing in the eaves on my workshop! Yay! This is certainly a task that I wasn't sure how to complete, and one that I have desperately wanted to have done for a long time!

You see, we have bees and wasps! UGH! Lots of them! Certainly if they were honey bees I would have had our local bee association come and remove the hives, but the bees that we are inundated with are wasps and carpenter bees - NOT FUN!!! Now carpenter bees are great pollonators, but they cause total distruction to any wooden structures by boring tunnels into the wood for their nests! They are also said to be "unlikely to sting", but since I am apparently seen as a threat to their nest (since they build them inside my workshop), they like to dive bomb me and I have been stung by them before. Wasps are my other enemy - I cannot even tell you how many nests I have sprayed inside my workshop, and I have been stung by them also - NOT FUN!!

Here are pictures of the two gigantic wasp nests that we removed from my workshop over the weekend!

The eaves on the workshop are not completed yet as you can see by the pictures, but I am VERY happy that there is much less of a chance that the bees can invade at this point!

Up until this point we have been working on wiring my workshop! The wires have been run to all of the outlets - some of them installed, and some of them not installed! But I do have some workable outlets!

So, the home of MooreMagnets is coming right along, but for now it is back to work! I have custom orders to finish!!!

Friday Yummy!

2009-09-04T07:30:00.003-04:00

This is a really easy and quick appetizer that I have fallen in love with! I can't take the credit for the recipe, but my friend Becky taught me this one. I really don't care for plain tomatoes like my husband, so this is a way for me to enjoy the fresh tomatoes and basil from our garden with very little preparation.

Ingredients:

1 ripe tomato sliced
1 package fresh mozzarella sliced
fresh basil
balsamic vinegar

Just slice the tomatoes and mozzarella top them with one or two pieces of fresh basil and sprinkle balsamic vinegar over the top - Done!

An Update on Me and My Websites!

2009-09-03T09:12:00.003-04:00

Good Morning! For the last several days I have been busy as a bee adding items to my Artfire store! As much as I love Etsy, Artfire is really becoming a place where I can offer my customers some great features such as coupons and discounts, as well as the ability to make purchases with out creating a user account while still checking out with a secure connection. I will continue to keep my Etsy store stocked, but all coupons and discounts that are offered will only be available through my Artfire store.

I have also reached 100 fans on Facebook, and have secured my Facebook vanity url. Coupons and discounts will be announced via Facebook and on my blog - so either fan me on Facebook, or sign up for my RSS feed on the blog.

A Newsletter - I have had many requests over the years to create a newsletter so that people can keep up with me and be informed of new products, fabrics, where I am going to be, and special promotions. At this time I still do not have plans to start a newsletter. I have tried several times, and the time that it takes as well as the expense have always held me back. My blog and Facebook fan page will be alternatives for a newsletter. I will be sending a monthly email to all of my fans on Facebook, so if you don't want to hear from me everyday you can hide my Facebook posts and you will still receive the monthly email.

As always, if you have any questions please email me at april@MooreMagnets.com

Please know that I want to provide each and every one of my customers the level of personal service that all of my customers have come to expect! By making these changes and additions I will be able to continue offering that service to everyone!

Now for all of the URL's!

Artfire: http://MooreMagnets.artfire.com
Etsy: http://MooreMagnets.etsy.com
Blog: http://MooreMagnets.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/MagnetBoards
Email: april@MooreMagnets.com

New Accessories for your Magnet Boards!

2009-09-02T08:26:00.005-04:00

Here are some new accessories for your Magnet Boards!

Pen/Pencil Holders:

I have been making pen/pencil holders for a long time, and I have friends and family that are still using the pen/pencil holders that they got from me 4-5 years ago! But, these are my "new generation" pen/pencil holders! These are customized with a fabric button so they can match your magnet board or just go with your decor. They will hold any pen/pencil up to 3/8" diameter, and when the pen runs out - just get another and pop it in the holder!

Letter Holders:

These are my newest creation! I am pleased to present to you these magnetic letter holders, although they can be used for a lot more than letters! Use them to keep coupons, mail, notes, invoices, your daily todo lists, and more! These can be customized to match most of the magnet boards in my store!

Organizing Tip Tuesday!

2009-09-01T06:10:00.002-04:00

If your house is anything like mine, you ALWAYS need more organization! So, I hope that you can pick up one tip from my blog that will help you get just a little more organized!

Closets! Between me, my husband, and 3 boys there is always a closet in the house that needs to be organized, and most of the time it is due to clothes and shoes that don't fit or that no one wears any more. So, years ago I decided that each closet needed two bins in them no matter how the rest of the closet was organized. One bin is for dirty clothes, and the other bin is for clothes that don't fit, or that no one can or wants to wear anymore.

The donation bins are treated very much like the laundry bins - but they are not mingled with the laundry bins. So, every few weeks they are checked, and sorted by color, and washed. Once they are washed I sort the clothes by things that will be handed down, and things that need to be donated, and things that are just too worn out to be donated. The hand-me-downs are transferred to the next wearers closet, the worn out things are usually sent to the garage or workshop, and the donations are transferred to bags or boxes and taken to the donation center.

I don't wait until I have a truck load of stuff to go to the donation center - I found the closest one to a store that I frequent, and stop and drop of just one bag or just one box at a time. My boys know the difference in the bins - they were cued by color when they were younger - and they use them sometimes. Actually the teenagers are starting to use them more and more as they are much more motivated by style right now!

Hope that helps! Good luck on your organizing quest!

Changes on the Horizon!

2009-08-31T05:54:00.002-04:00

Over the next few weeks, my blog will be changing focus. Thank you to all who drop in and read all of my little stories, but clearly I haven't made an effort to maintain my blog over the summer. Seems that the kids have kept me entirely too busy!

Over the last few months I have gotten quite a few requests from people to be added to my mailing list - but you see, a mailing list for my business doesn't exist!

So, instead of adding one more thing to my increasingly long to-do list, I have decided that my blog needs to change and become my sort of mailing list.

From this point on - my blog will become a place where new products, new fabrics, news about where I can be found, and organizing tips will be featured.

So, stay tuned! I hope that you will find something that interests you!

Clean Up The Crap Wednesday - Continued!

2009-07-29T14:03:00.008-04:00

So, I decided that I really needed to clean up our coat closet. Kinda funny that I call it that since we don't put coats in it, but I use the closet to store the vacuum, winter hats/gloves, and stuff for my business. This morning is was a complete disaster, and I actually couldn't even get the vacuum into the closet. Bad since I haven't used the vacuum since last week!!

So Here is the before picture:

I am ashamed that this closet still housed:
- playdoh toys that my son hasn't played with in almost 2 years
- a basked of coloring books, markers, and crayons that I didn't know about
- and bags that I transport product in that were falling all over the place
- the lids to plastic storage bins that are probably long gone

I want to use this closet to house:
- overflow shipping supplies
- bubble wrap
- over flow baggies for product
- wooden shape supplies
- overflow of magnets
- winter hats/gloves
- vacuum cleaner and parts

So, I emptied it out and put everything back - I have relocated the coloring things to my son's room, but most of the other stuff is going to goodwill or the trash!

I can even fit the vacuum in the closet now!

Also - I wanted to point out my organizing solution! I hung an over the door shoe rack with clear pockets on the back of the door a while back - but most of the pockets were empty. So - they have been filled up and arranged so that I can see everything! The best part is the pockets are clear so I can give the label maker a rest for
the day!

Clean up the Crap Wednesday

2009-07-29T05:18:00.002-04:00

My house is a mess! So I really do need a clean up the crap day! I haven't decided what task I am going to share with you yet, but I can promise lots of pictures and that the space will be organized when I am finished!

So... Stay tuned, this post will be updated later today =)

Toot The Horn Tuesday

2009-07-28T08:57:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it is Tuesday! What happened to Monday? Oh, I know - Monday turned out to be a whirlwind of good and bad things all wrapped up into one!

Yesterday was one of those days where just when you think things are going to run smoothly, everything comes crashing down!

There were a couple of orders that I was supposed to send out yesterday, but realized that for one I didn't have a few things made that I thought I did. The other didn't go out because as I was getting ready to package things up I unknowingly uncovered a huge wasp nest in my packaging material! I only got stung once - but ouch! Right on my head!! So I ran in the house aching - grabbed an ice pack and sat for about 30 minutes with ice on my head, head throbbing, and trying to listen to the 5 (almost 6) year old boy ask me a million questions about bees, wasps, why they sting you, and how he has never gotten stung. Oh, and not to mention, between every other question he informed me that he was starving and wanted to know what was for lunch.

So, I had to email each of my customers and let them know that their packages were not going out until Tuesday, and I packed up the boy and we hit Subway.

So, you may be asking why this is called toot the horn Tuesday when all I have been doing is complaining about my misfortune with a wasp?!! I am going to toot the horn about Subway!

The whole way to Subway my son was insisting that he didn't like that place, we had never eaten there before, and there was no way he was going to eat a turkey sandwich if it didn't have ham on it too! However, as soon as we got to the door of Subway he realized that - "OH, Mommy I told you we have been here before ... This place is the place that makes the best sandwiches ... A LOT better than your sandwiches Mommy!"

So we ordered. My son was thrilled that he could get chocolate milk - and Mommy was very proud that he got tomatoes on his sandwich - and I ended up getting him the kids meal they have.

Well - the toy that came with the kids meal was a compass! How cool is that! My son was so excited by his new toy, and has spent the next 18 hours announcing which direction we are going in!

All I have to say is that this is soooooo much better than the el-cheapo plastic toys and stuffed animals from the other fast food places!

Thanks Subway!