Manageable But Still Waiting

Hard to believe just how difficult it is to find a new specialist.

By the time I am finished, I'll be a professional hoop jumper. You know after jumping through so many hoops to find a manageable way to deal with my IC pain. Even that word alone is challenging to say, Interstitial Cystitis. That's why so many people just call it IC.

So now, we are in a waiting game to see what direction, God will have me go. Finding a new specialist with a new medical group, or go back to the one I had before, that treated me horribly, but the doctor I was seeing is no longer there. Makes one wonder why?

So the treatment is manageable. I don't take any pain meds at this time, because they really don't do anything for your pain. I'm managing with natural supplements like Marshmallow Root, (lifesaver), Tumeric, Boswelia Extract along with the prescription for Pyridium for now while I wait. At least I am not curled up in fetal position anymore and still drinking copious amounts of water. But enough of that.

I just finished two wreaths last week from my Friday night LIVE on Facebook as well as another one Sunday and both sold out before I finished. That is always a great feeling, that and 5 custom orders made for a large shipment to the post office yesterday as well as setting up my next business venture which are subscription crates, like you see just about everywhere for everything. Mine are unique one of a kind wreath kits designed so you get enough materials to make your own original. The name of them is Kat's Creative Crates. I listed those yesterday, just 5 for a test run and those sold out within 5 minutes. That meant I had to place another order yesterday for another 10-15 kits. I like shopping for that one special person who is buying a crate to help them make something incredible! Plus it keeps the market from being flooded by look alikes, which I am seeing everywhere.

If you're interested in a custom order, don't hesitate to contact me. I really enjoy making something truly unique for someone.

Two New Creations

Some people might shy away from doing custom orders, but I truly LOVE working on them. Because each wreath I create is a one of a kind, original, I know that I will never get bored making them, as they are not copies of something I have already done. I am fortunate enough when God blesses me with such opportunities. I have had two requests for something to be hand created based on some clues the customers alludes to.

Some will send me pictures of items they have seen on Pinterest or the Internet, and we'll talk through the likes and dislikes of each along with a budget in mind. I try as hard as I can to give the customer what they want and within a price they can afford. I am also a realist as well, when I can't do what they want either due to supply limitations or cost, and we can usually come to an understanding.

The wreath pictured above was one of my favorites and it has to be all God-inspired. I knew colors, the space where it was going to be displayed as well as a budget of course, and most of my inspiration comes from a sign. In this case, I fell in love with a ribbon before the order even came in, and I knew that God has the design forming even before I knew what it would be. Taking my cue from the picture of the outside of the business, the colors and words the customer used in their order, I wanted to take a wreath back to the glory days of old Hollywood, where class and elegance was everything. The photo above is not edited even though it looks like a simple black and white photo, it is just the colors of the wreath materials. From shades of gray, black and white with just the touch of rose gold, this beauty was created.

I was also able to used similar materials to create one to list in my Etsy store as well with this time, it features a Home Sweet Home sign. Just think of the newly wed couple who will be returning home to make a new start in their life, getting this as a wedding gift, or to the first time home buyer looking for something to create a statement piece to their guests before they ever walk into a home. This are simply perfect for those reasons or for something unique for your own home or decor.

I also completed a wonderful and colorful Mother's Day wreath on my Friday night Facebook LIVE where viewers tuned in to watch me create this button wreath. The sign was from Jane's Front Door Decor and you can join in the fun of watching me create it below.

If you're interested in a custom designed wreath for your home or business or even as gift for a special someone, please contact me at KatsCreations777@gmail.com or visit my Etsy shop to see what I have available now.

Newest Additions

I absolutely LOVE the path I am beginning to see that God has laid before me. Although it is definitely NOT an easy path, there is some blessings to enjoy along the way. I LOVE helping women to be able to see the same dreams. That with some encouragement, they too can find a new future waiting, all they needed was someone to see them and encourage them to take that first step. I got the most wonderful message from one of the lovely ladies that has joined my private group class. She is one of the most beautiful souls that God has graced me with.

She has managed to do what I have been wanting to do for some time and needed that reminder that some people need to hear that encouragement today, and not wait for the time of their obituary to hear how they have impacted their life. It reminded me of a book I read from Walter Green, called This is the Moment! It is an extraordinary book I highly recommend that every single person should read. It really encourages us to use the time we have now, to reach out to people in our life and let them know now, and now at their funeral what impact they have had in our life.

Another book I would also highly recommend is The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It is a book on perspective. While two people are going through the same situation, it shows that they can "see" things very differently. One person can see the negative things happening in every situation, while the other person sees the positive in it. The positive can always be harder to find, but it is always there. If you have never picked up either book, I would highly recommend that you do. I think they will change you forever in the best way possible. The strange thing is that they have always been there but sometimes our perspective just needs to be pushed, nudged or motivated to see things a bit differently!

However, this one woman did just both of those things. She reminded me of the simple impact one person can have in your life and let it be known now and not later when those words will fall on ears that can no longer hear them. She provided consistent and specific feedback and her words were like the sweetest balm on my ears. She nourished my soul in just a handful of minutes it took for her to write those heartfelt words and for me, they were like a breath of life! She is going through her own unique health challenges and if you would, lift her up in prayer. She needs all the prayer and encouragement she can get as we all know how much fear can play a role in any of our lives.

I wanted to show you just a handful of the new items I finished this week and if you're interested in any of them, please let me know by emailing me, commenting below or visiting my shop at Etsy.

God's Blessings!

Sometimes living in your start up small business can feel overwhelming at times. Especially when you go almost an entire week with absolutely NO sales. You begin to question everything. Why are people visiting my store front but no one is buying anything. It's like having people visit your store, just to look around and leave. So you begin to ask yourself, what prompted their initial interest in looking at my store anyway. Was it one particular product or just passing by looking at similar things that came up when searching.

So you second guess maybe your prices are too high and should you run a sale or offer a discount? But then you also trust yourself that you are not trying to price gouge customers either, but you still have to at least get paid for your time right? I mean it is hard not to get discouraged when some people are staying so busy, and you're sitting there listening to crickets. But then I think back on all the great business advice I've gotten that poses the questions, who are you selling to? What kinds of customers do you want? Are you merely trading product for product while making no profit? Does God even want me doing this with my time?

So like I told you before, I go to prayer. Although not as immediately as I should, but I do get there. Its hard when you begin to feel pressured as well, when your husband who supports the idea and the initial financial backing, but sees inventory piling up and nothing going out and you still say you need more things. What is a small business woman entrepreneur to do?

I guess the hard questions I have posed need to be answered. There are always those customers who will want something for free or at least as cheap as they can get it, and don't care if you make a dime or not. The ones that LOVE your quality but don't want to pay to get that quality in their products they buy. So I've started to rethink some of my items so I have both for those types of customers. Those customers who say, make me a wreath and money is no object, those who remain your loyal customers who despite maybe saying a few bucks will stay with you because they like you are and what you sell and your own shop integrity as well. There will still be those who will never be happy and I guess those are the customers I don't want.

I want the customers who understand a quality product doesn't come cheap and also understand I do have to make money otherwise why be in business. So for now, I am remembering all my life experiences that remind me to stand behind my business principles, give the very best customer service I know how and leave the rest to God. If He wants my business to succeed or fail, it is out of my hands either way. So for now I am trusting in Him, and if my inventory is getting a little full, I'll simply pray that he will lead just the right customer to me and let everything else fall into place. When I get out of my own way and let God do His thing, it is a true blessing to behold. And yes, my dry spell did end with selling 5 wreaths in just a couple of days. But more than that, it is a reminder that if I do things God's way and not Kat's, it will always work out in my best interests.

These are just a few of my latest creations to share with you and just to let you know, custom orders aren't any more expensive than others unless you really want the time and effort to create something amazing. If you would like to visit my Etsy store to see my creations, please click on Kat's Creations or you can comment below or email me at Katscreations777@gmail.com

Small Business Dreams

WOW! I can't believe how long it has been since I have gotten back to my original blog. So much has happened and change is all around us. I am still reviewing Christian books and family friendly products though I have scaled back quite a bit so I can focus on breathing life into my small business dream. It has always been a dream of mine to find a way to employ my kids and hopefully give them a fun job to do and that of course is still in the works. But hopefully in time, God allowing and according to His will and timing that will come to pass.

However I LOVE to create beautiful things. I mean come on, we serve our Lord and God, who is Creator of everything, so how can we not create? I have LOVED creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere within my own home and have gotten some amazing compliments, but I felt that God wanted me to take that vision further. Now when you watch couples like Chip and Joanna Gaines do just that, you realize that your dreams don't have to stay buried. You can step out in faith each day and do the very next thing until either God stops you or you are continuing on the way, with His blessing.

So that is when I decided to take what I was always doing and broaden my horizons. I began making wreaths in a very competitive market. There are those who make the most beautiful wreaths and have taken the time to share their skills with us that can find them through Google or Pinterest and even Facebook searches. Most will offer those services FREE for a time, and eventually open it up even further if you pay to join their groups. Once you learn the basics you can broaden your business a bit and expand to find your own path and that is what I have been doing.

I decided like most of my viewers on Facebook to take it back to basics and realize how much those foundations are important to share. I absolutely LOVE to encourage, cheer lead, motivate and hopefully inspire those that have become a small group of faithful viewers. But going back to basics is also back to blogging as much as I am creating products to sell or even books and products to review. So if you'd love to take a peek at what I've been doing you can find me on the following social media platforms while I begin to build my own website. I would LOVE to have you follow me on any of them and look forward to chatting with you tomorrow! For now Kat's Creations is the name of my small business that creates beautiful wreaths and decor for your home or office.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katscreations777/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katscreations777/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katscreations777/
Etsy: https://etsy.com/shop/KatsCreations777
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCATiFtRFR9r8zA0srzeZ_kw

My Newest Adventure!

 $40.00 (not including shipping or handling)

WOW! So much has happened since I last blogged. I almost forgot how to log in and make a post! My oldest daughter was married last October and has recently moved to Northern California to a new job and a new home. That is heart breaking in its own right. My youngest is now driving at 18 almost 19 now, has been dating a great guy for the last two years and is working for Amazon now.

Now looking back I can definitely see that life is truly a vapor and you wonder where has all the time gone? Besides blogging and review books and now more products there seems to be an emptiness with some of my time, so I thought I would share with you what I have been doing as of lately. Lately meaning as of this weekend, I have turned back the hands of the clock as it were and picked back up my crafting and tried my hands at something a bit new. I have been making my own Christmas and Fall wreaths for awhile and made some for family and friends but never thought of sharing that as a home based business just to see if anyone would like what I was making.

So I made about 6 wreaths of a variety of occasions like Halloween and Day of the Dead even though I don't celebrate it as well as Fall and Thanksgiving ones. I was looking at the ones on Etsy and thought from a personal stand point, based on some of their prices it seemed a bit much to buy the wreaths most people were selling, some as high as $300. I am a mom and every dime counts for us and I couldn't see why people might be charging so much when it seemed like I could recreate them for way less.

 $50.00 (not including shipping or handling)

So I opened up a Facebook page, Kat's Creations and you should see a wreath on the door if you found the right page, and posted a few pictures along with some prices and considered even shipping them to people who would want them in their homes and BOOM, I am almost sold out. I had to make more fall wreaths since I only have one left. I like the idea of keeping them unique and one of a kind. I don't want to lose the passion I have for creating them by doing something mass produced. Plus it is nice knowing so many of them are going to some great blogging friends, Facebook family, and now even people I used to work with.

The best part is allowing people the opportunity to customize them to add more colors or decorations to meet their needs and of course keeping the costs reasonable means something to me. It doesn't mean I can't go all out and elaborate based on their needs like I want a 24 inch instead of an 18 inch, and I would rather have more greens and less fall like colors. I can't wait to do some Christmas ones which will all be completely unique and one of a kind originals.

 $40.00 (not including shipping or handling)

Since this is a new venture, I would LOVE for you to come by and take a look at what I've been doing. and hopefully "Like" my page if you are a Facebook user and if not, I will be posting them here for my blogging family and friends to find. These are first come and first serve, so if you see something you like, email me at Stevenkat27@gmail.com. You can even let me know if you want something personalized or customized to match your home. I'm just getting my shipping boxes in and will also try to find ways to make shipping them affordable if I can. I do take Pay Pal, Money Orders or Personal Checks, and if you're a local Southern California resident I do deliver for a nominal fee from door to door. Let me know what you think and please feel free to comment below if you want me to contact you regarding a personal order as well.

The ones I have sold are pictured below: