P.S. Taking a break helps you to refuel and recharge your creativity! Yay for that!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Taking A Break From Crafting: Tangent #1
Just sittin here kinda lost in all of the craziness of this week. I know that there are a million and one things to do for Mimi's Jewels, but today I'm kinda feeling lethargic and just kinda lazy. But in a good way. You know... the kind of lazy where you could lay down on the couch with a pillow and blanket and watch your favorite tv show (LOST). And while you're enjoying your show, idea after idea pops into your brain shufflin out the tv show and pushing it's way into your mainstream of thoughts. I think of what colors are inspiring me at the moment, and what new type of jewelry should I learn how to make. I think of the business cards that need printing and the spreadsheets that need updating. Or what new spreadsheets I need to make. And even though I love love LOVE crafting, I have to tell myself TAKE A BREAK! And I do. I get back into the love triangle that is Kate, Jack, and Sawyer. I wonder why they've decided to tease our minds by showing us flash forwards instead of flashbacks. And my biggest wonder of all is....why are there "extras" on this show? We know who all is left on the island from the main cast, but whenever there is a gathering of some sort, there are other people on the island who are supposed to be survivors but we never hear their story. And probably never will. And I could go into a whole big thing about it, but really - I just want to forget about those ghosts and submerge myself into this island of mystery. And try to forget about crafts for an hour. Anywho, that is my "Taking A Break From Crafting Tangent #1." I'm sure there will be more to follow!
P.S. Taking a break helps you to refuel and recharge your creativity! Yay for that!
P.S. Taking a break helps you to refuel and recharge your creativity! Yay for that!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A Timeline of our Baby Business
November 2005 to December 2005 – Bloomington, Minnesota
Before Mimi’s Jewels ever began, it was a hobby. One day while at Target, I spotted tubes and more tubes filled with beads in their dollar bins. I grabbed everything up that I could, including tools, wire, and findings. All of which are necessities to complete a bracelet and necklace. Weeks later, my wonderful boyfriend, John and I packed our suitcases and drove to Northwest Indiana to visit my family. By this time, I had a couple of small containers full of beads that I decided would make a great “family – time” craft project. One night my brother, sister, and I took part in making bracelets and necklaces for Christmas gifts. We had a blast and at that moment I decided this hobby was a keeper!
January to April 2006
I returned to Minnesota with motivation and a brain full of excitement! My employer at the time was very flexible and allowed me to work on my hobby after I had finished my daily tasks and projects. Soon, I began to sell jewelry to my coworkers, their families, and to my friends and family too! I had made plenty of sales, enough to keep me going and stay on track with my newfound love. Breaking even paid for my habit and that was fine for now.
March 2006 to July 2006
John and I relocated back to Northwest Indiana to be near my family. John became more involved in my little side business and helped to get me more business and keep up with the paperwork end of the deal. We sold jewelry up the wazoo to family, friends, and coworkers of mine, John’s, and my mom’s. The demand for our jewelry became greater. Orders were pouring in and it was time to ask for help! My mom and sister would come over when they could to help create jewelry. This was great for me because I had less stress, and crafting is always more fun with other people!
We had been selling jewelry for a while now and it was time to come up with a name. I racked my brain day in and day out but everything I came up with wasn’t what I had really wanted. One night after my mom was over, she said that she’d take my jewelry to work so the ladies could shop. She said, “I’ll call it (my jewelry biz), Mimi’s Jewels!” That was it! That is our name! You’re probably wondering, who the heck is Mimi? Well, Mimi is me. My niece is about 1 ½ at this time and can’t pronounce my nickname – Kimmy. So, I was dubbed Mimi from the moment she could verbalize my name…or something like it.
August 2006 to August 2007
In August of 2006, John and I were able to participate in a local fashion show. The models were sporting a new line of t-shirts and were also adorned with our jewelry! It was the highlight of my year! My lifelong dream to have my creations in a fashion show was finally granted! A month before the fashion show, we had family members enlisted to help make jewelry. I designed the pieces, and then they assembled them. It was a relief to have extra hands around to get the job done!
A month after the fashion show, we participated in the first annual Bizarre Bazaar in Hammond, Indiana. We drafted those great family members again for some nights of serious crafting! In thanks, we fed them, and hosted a free make and take for all of their help and support. Bizarre Bazaar was awesome! We had the chance to put our jewelry up for adoption while learning the skills it takes to be successful at an outdoor craft show.
Mimi’s Jewels is in the line up for the second annual Bizarre Bazaar on September 15, 2007 in downtown Hammond, Indiana. We are churning out loads of new pieces…I so wish I could keep them all, but that’s the price you pay when you love what you craft! Last year’s festivities was a ton of fun, and this year proves to be even better! Check out our Events page for more information!
September 2007 to January 2008
Bizarre Bazaar this past year (2007) was a great time! We didn't sell much - there were more competitors than we anticipated, but all in all it was a nice day out. We took a break after the festival - we were burned out to the max! It's January now and as this new year begins, we also are at the start of some new things on the business front. We've got 2 Make And Take parties scheduled for January and hope to have some more soon. We will be taking photos at the parties and will post them so everyone can see how much fun our parties are! Also, we will be moving to www.etsy.com in the very near future. We will keep our Freewebs and Myspace sites updated with new info, including the new web address. Etsy is such an easy site to work with and is primarily dedicated to handcrafted items. It's kind of like a spin-off of Ebay. So, keep those special orders coming in!
Before Mimi’s Jewels ever began, it was a hobby. One day while at Target, I spotted tubes and more tubes filled with beads in their dollar bins. I grabbed everything up that I could, including tools, wire, and findings. All of which are necessities to complete a bracelet and necklace. Weeks later, my wonderful boyfriend, John and I packed our suitcases and drove to Northwest Indiana to visit my family. By this time, I had a couple of small containers full of beads that I decided would make a great “family – time” craft project. One night my brother, sister, and I took part in making bracelets and necklaces for Christmas gifts. We had a blast and at that moment I decided this hobby was a keeper!
January to April 2006
I returned to Minnesota with motivation and a brain full of excitement! My employer at the time was very flexible and allowed me to work on my hobby after I had finished my daily tasks and projects. Soon, I began to sell jewelry to my coworkers, their families, and to my friends and family too! I had made plenty of sales, enough to keep me going and stay on track with my newfound love. Breaking even paid for my habit and that was fine for now.
March 2006 to July 2006
John and I relocated back to Northwest Indiana to be near my family. John became more involved in my little side business and helped to get me more business and keep up with the paperwork end of the deal. We sold jewelry up the wazoo to family, friends, and coworkers of mine, John’s, and my mom’s. The demand for our jewelry became greater. Orders were pouring in and it was time to ask for help! My mom and sister would come over when they could to help create jewelry. This was great for me because I had less stress, and crafting is always more fun with other people!
We had been selling jewelry for a while now and it was time to come up with a name. I racked my brain day in and day out but everything I came up with wasn’t what I had really wanted. One night after my mom was over, she said that she’d take my jewelry to work so the ladies could shop. She said, “I’ll call it (my jewelry biz), Mimi’s Jewels!” That was it! That is our name! You’re probably wondering, who the heck is Mimi? Well, Mimi is me. My niece is about 1 ½ at this time and can’t pronounce my nickname – Kimmy. So, I was dubbed Mimi from the moment she could verbalize my name…or something like it.
August 2006 to August 2007
In August of 2006, John and I were able to participate in a local fashion show. The models were sporting a new line of t-shirts and were also adorned with our jewelry! It was the highlight of my year! My lifelong dream to have my creations in a fashion show was finally granted! A month before the fashion show, we had family members enlisted to help make jewelry. I designed the pieces, and then they assembled them. It was a relief to have extra hands around to get the job done!
A month after the fashion show, we participated in the first annual Bizarre Bazaar in Hammond, Indiana. We drafted those great family members again for some nights of serious crafting! In thanks, we fed them, and hosted a free make and take for all of their help and support. Bizarre Bazaar was awesome! We had the chance to put our jewelry up for adoption while learning the skills it takes to be successful at an outdoor craft show.
Mimi’s Jewels is in the line up for the second annual Bizarre Bazaar on September 15, 2007 in downtown Hammond, Indiana. We are churning out loads of new pieces…I so wish I could keep them all, but that’s the price you pay when you love what you craft! Last year’s festivities was a ton of fun, and this year proves to be even better! Check out our Events page for more information!
September 2007 to January 2008
Bizarre Bazaar this past year (2007) was a great time! We didn't sell much - there were more competitors than we anticipated, but all in all it was a nice day out. We took a break after the festival - we were burned out to the max! It's January now and as this new year begins, we also are at the start of some new things on the business front. We've got 2 Make And Take parties scheduled for January and hope to have some more soon. We will be taking photos at the parties and will post them so everyone can see how much fun our parties are! Also, we will be moving to www.etsy.com in the very near future. We will keep our Freewebs and Myspace sites updated with new info, including the new web address. Etsy is such an easy site to work with and is primarily dedicated to handcrafted items. It's kind of like a spin-off of Ebay. So, keep those special orders coming in!
February 2008
We have proudly popped a squat on Etsy (www.mimisjewels.etsy.com) and I encourage all of you to sneak a peak!
Welcome to Mimi's Jewels Blog!
Making crafty items and selling them has been something I have dreamt about all of my life and now it's finally a reality! I have always been into different crafts, but so far my favorite is creating jewelry. I am Kim, the co-owner of Mimi's Jewels, along with my significant other, John. Mimi's Jewels was established in 2006 after I began beading as a hobby. I made bracelets and necklaces here and there, then people started asking to buy my pieces. One year later, Mimi's Jewels has given us a chance to start a little business of our own. Thank you to all of you who have supported us through our first year and a half of craftin out to the max!
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