Hello Again!
Since I last posted I had my first Stamp-A-Stack and at first I was disappointed in how it went...which was this:
Arrived at my parents home and set up. While waiting for everyone to arrive I ate some nice snacks, chatted with all the guests and caught up with people I haven't seen in awhile. We finally got started and like everything to do with my family....it was a gong show! I don't know if I should assigned people where to sit instead of letting them sit were ever...but things did not go as I had planned.
There was a variety of people there, some who had stamped with me before and others who have never stamped before at all. It quickly got out of hand when my sister decided that the hours and hours I spent preparing and designing my cards was just a big waste of my time as she went out on her own and starting creating her own design. I know there is a certain amount of personal creativity that comes out in people, but full on making your own creation with my carefully cut and organized supplies had me seeing a wee bit of red. I quickly let it go and moved on to helping the people there who needed my help.
Halfway through the event, things were going fine and people were enjoying themselves, when one guest, who had come to help her mother and not make her own cards, started going through my extra items I brought and started helping herself to them! I thought I was going to loose it. I had a really hard time after that dealing with the demanding people and their constant asking for this and that and basically having me make their cards for them! I know I am the teacher and they are my students, but I wish I had started with an unrelated group of people. Teaching your family is just asking to go a little mental.
After we finished up, we all had some more snacks and chatted a wee bit. Everyone said they enjoyed stamping and how lovely their cards were, but I couldn't help feeling they were just being nice.
I went home feeling frustrated and disappointed in myself for letting me family get the best of me. Since then I haven't really gone into my craft room very much until last Saturday. 2 friends of mine came over to craft for the day and I got so much done; cards, scrapbooks, organized all my stuff and got to help both of them create some beautiful Easter cards.
The day after my party my mom called to ask if everyone paid me and to thank me for the party. She really does love her cards and often tells me that they are so beautiful that she is "greedyals" and doesn't want to give them away! That make me feel better. She also told how much fun everyone had and how much they loved the cards they made. I talked to her about my sister and she told me not to worry about her, but that she would talk to her about her actions. I just think from now on, my sister can make her own cards, with her own materials, on her own time. I just can't deal with her in this time of my life!
Since all this happened I haven't had any further bookings, but I have found something else. Many people love my cards and want to buy them from me! A girlfriend I met back in prenatal bought 10 cards from me and said she wants to buy more in the future, plus my Aunt wants to buy some too!
All in all, I was disappointed, but things turned around and I am grateful for the little things that keep me motivated. I don't know what I would do without my husband who is so supportive and always keeps the kids out of my hair when I am working in my craft room. He even stays up late to help me prep for my classes.
My goal: To host a workshop or class every month till Septemeber. Once September rolls around, I want to begin my own Card and Scrapbook clubs in my home! Lord help us then!
Life is good and fishing season is around the corner, till then I am going to stamp and create as much as possible!
Happy Stamping!
