Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Learning To Schedule Time For Yourself

I haven't forgotten about that segment. I will be posting that up sometime soon. Be patient. Thanks,
Treasure Ann

Bountiful Treasures Contest UPDATES

Hi customers, here is an update on the Crochet Contest.
Contest Rules & Guidelines
Contest begins May 16, 2008
The first contestant that submits there Square Afghan to Bountiful Treasures-c/o Harriett will win the Grand Prize of a gift basket.
Afghans will also be judged on creativity, originality, and style (How intricate & detailed the stitches are) The 1st winner prize for this category will also be prized with a beautiful gift basket, and as stated before 2nd and 3rd prize winners will be prized with a delectable, delicious and mouth-watering baked goods. :)
All Afghans are due on September 12, 2008 (deadline on or before 12:00 midnight)
Your afghan is required to have at least 30 to 40 squares, if you desire to add more, you can do that as well, as long as it is submitted on or before September 12, 2008.
Your afghan must have a theme name as well. There will be a total of 4 prizes given for this challenge.
*Don't forget, be creative, colors make any afghan stand out. Be original, remember the squares can be the traditional granny, and it can be a non-traditional square. As for your style, stitches count for a lot, and can get you a lot of points for detailed and challenging stitches that you don't see everyday.
So here's a summary of it all:
Afghans due on or before Sept. 12, 2008/Friday-submitted at Bountiful Treasures-c/o Harriett
Afghans must at least 30 to 40 squares/can be more.
Afghans must have a theme, name your afghan.
You will be scored on:
1. Creativeness
2. Originality
3. Style
Scoring points for judges will be as follows:
5=superb
4=excellent
3=good
2=alright
1=could've been better
0=no effort at all
*If any one have any questions about the contest, contact Harriett (Customers and participants know who she is). We are here to help, if you have questions or problems with your project, participants and fellow crocheters contact me. My mother is also somewhat of a crochet doctor, if you run into a problem. Don't forget Crochet Club meets every 2nd Thursday of each month at 6-7:30 pm. Yes this is a contest, but the participants are willing to help each other with their projects. You may also bring you projects along to be worked on at the crochet club meetings. We look forward to fellowship and talking about the latest stitches, and styles in crocheting. The main purpose of this challenge is to bring knitters and crocheters alike to work on projects together, while sharing tips and advice, and helping each other to be motivated to finish a project before starting on another before the first is finished. I look forward to hearing from you all. Keep checking my blog to keep up with the latest and updates of the shop, products, and news.
Happy Crocheting & Knitting.
Treasure Ann

Friday, May 16, 2008

Added Bonus In Crochet Contest

Here's something to get excited about. Not only the participants that finish their square afghan and present it to me first and win first prize-there will be a prize given for creativity. Your squares doesn't have to be the original granny square. It can be as creative as you can make it. Also look for this in the future. I will be posting up some recipes that I think you all will enjoy. I'm a cookie baker fanatic, and mostly the recipes that I will be posting will be cookie recipes. I know Christmas is about 7 months away, but I like to give an early invitation to anybody who would like to join me here at my blog for a "Christmas Cookie Exchange" party. This party will consists of everyone who visits my blog come up with a cookie recipe that is their favorite, bake them in December, (December 13, 2008/Saturday) and come online that day and tell us how the cookies turned out. If you like, you may leave the recipe on the comments. During our online Christmas Cookie party, please share your favorite Christmas memory or what comes to mind while you bake your cookies. Please join me for this fun and creative occasion. I look forward to hearing from you all. I will keep you posted or send out memo's to anyone who would like to be reminded starting in November. Make sure you leave your e-mail address so that I can send out that memo. Meantime I will still remind you on my blog. So you have plenty of time to think about what your going to bake. Stay tune to "Learning To Schedule Time To Have For Your Self", especially when your running your own business, taking care family and house. Until next time.
God Bless,
Treasure Ann

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

It Takes Time

Starting a business takes a lot of time. Sometimes I'd even admit that I get discouraged. I own a retail shop. Specializing in crafts, craft supplies and gifts like candles, cook books, and journals. What I did to start my adventure of building a business is purchased a retail liscense, which is $50.00. You can find a retail liscense application on the internet. When you recieve your liscense you have to get in contact with the IRS (1-800-829-1040) or go to their website at www.irs.ustreas.gov and ask for your EIN number (Employer Identification Number) you will need that in order to make sure you pay your taxes. When you have done this, they will send you every information you need to get started. You'll get a handbook on your state taxes and how much taxes should be added to your products. The IRS will give you a schedule as well as to when you should pay your taxes. You will also need to purchase a register to help you better keep up with your taxes, when you tally it up. You can purchase a register at any office supplies store, most of them would have them. I purchased mine from Office Depot. When you have a retail liscense you can also purchase items from other companies at a wholesale price which turns out to be cheaper. Only if you have your retail liscense. When you purchase items or products from wholesale stores it's up to you to price the items where you will be getting the money back you put in it and a profit. Remember your purpose also for a business is to make money and of course a living. You want to make a profit, but have fun while doing it. The money to start a business according to what experts say, would take @ least $2000-$2500. As for me I build my business on what I save and from what I earn. I actually used my talents and gift s to raise the money as I go to purchase the things that I needed for my business. For the first year or 2, most of your earned profits go back into your business. Sacrafices, sacrafices has to be made, but it's worth it. After while you will be seeing your hard work pay off.
For my customers that are logging in on my blog, for the Summer Quarter Newsletter I have a new challenge. The challenge for this quarter is that in the beginning of June you are to make at least 30-60 granny squares. the deadline to put it together is August 11, 2008-Monday. Here's an idea to help you get a good head start. Crochet or knit 2 squares a day, that will double your progress or you can do even more whatever makes it easy and quick for you. By the way who ever finnishes their afghan by the due date, must be submitted on or before August 11, 2008 to Bountiful Treasures shop. Who ever finishes first or there's is submitted first will win a nice gift basket prize, 2nd & 3rd place winners will be presented the prize of baked goodies. Hope you will join us on this crochet & knit project together. With your finished project, think of some one who is most derserving and give that love you made to them. Until next time thank you for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your finished projects in August.
Treasure Ann

P.S. The basic stitch to practice or refresh on for this quarter is a half double. Last quarter was the double crochet. Thanks again.

What My Business Is About

What my business is about: My purpose of my business is to get awareness out that crafts bring people together in harmony and love. I believe it helps others to bring about creativity in each other, and promotes a sense of learning from one another. In my business I sell crochet items, such as scarf's, afghans, lap throws, frilly centerpieces, and much more. I also make and sell jewelry, along with natural bath products. Such as essential lavender oil, sweet orange oil, and citrinella oil soap and bath salts. My next product will be a soap that helps with allergies and colds, plus a soap that helps with mosquito bites. I'm also an author as well. Things are rather slow, but that's what hard work is for. It causes you to think outside the box, and be more tough to push through and make changes to proceed on. God is my CEO, and to ensure you that your business becomes bountiful, always pray and ask the Lord for direction and ideas-He'll give it to you. He is a God of wisdom and He'll help your business and what ever you decide to do in life be prosperous. Until next time we'll talk about getting started with the basics of owning a business.
Treasure Ann
P.S. I also do craft workshop, it's fun and exciting.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Stay Motivated

Starting a business is a lot of work. It's a dream that sometimes becomes challenging, but one that you must not give up. Building and starting your own business is a self accomplishment for the hard work you put in it. The beginning is always the hardest, but when you get past that-it becomes better. Your dream is what keeps you going. Never give up on what is in your heart to do. It's part of your life and it is your effort that gives your dream life. What my business is about; tune in next time to find out. Stay on the path of your dreams beginner business owners. God will bless everything you put your hand to.