Comments for C.A.Therien Polymer Clay Arts http://www.catherienarts.com polymer clay millefiore and wearable art Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:42:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Do The Math by Cat http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/25/do-the-math/#comment-39284 Cat Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:29:34 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/25/do-the-math/#comment-39284 I don't know if the forecasts are manufactured necessarily. But I do agree that insecurity breeds panic! If we daily hear on the news and read in the newspaper that the economy is bad, well even if our finanical situation is fine, we may tend to hold back on our spending. Of course it's not just hearing bad news though, in all fairness. Higher prices at the store and the pump are certainly cause for being careful and not spending with abandon. As a craft supplier, though, you and I are still in a good spot. People who are crafty may turn to purchase supplies from us for making their own holiday gifts when money is tighter, rather than buying more expensive premade gifts. Quality, cost effectiveness, and uniqueness stand in our favor. I don’t know if the forecasts are manufactured necessarily. But I do agree that insecurity breeds panic! If we daily hear on the news and read in the newspaper that the economy is bad, well even if our finanical situation is fine, we may tend to hold back on our spending.

Of course it’s not just hearing bad news though, in all fairness. Higher prices at the store and the pump are certainly cause for being careful and not spending with abandon.

As a craft supplier, though, you and I are still in a good spot. People who are crafty may turn to purchase supplies from us for making their own holiday gifts when money is tighter, rather than buying more expensive premade gifts. Quality, cost effectiveness, and uniqueness stand in our favor.

]]> Comment on Pink Rosebuds and Candy Corn! by Cat http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/22/pink-rosebuds-and-candy-corn/#comment-39283 Cat Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:21:44 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=299#comment-39283 LOL Tess! Well my dear, that's my vicarious way to enjoy them myself - by making the samples I get to enjoy them almost as much as if I were wearing them. It also lets me be bold, because I do love the candy corn ones but I honestly don't think I'd ever wear black nail polish! Cat LOL Tess! Well my dear, that’s my vicarious way to enjoy them myself - by making the samples I get to enjoy them almost as much as if I were wearing them.

It also lets me be bold, because I do love the candy corn ones but I honestly don’t think I’d ever wear black nail polish!

Cat

]]> Comment on Do The Math by Debbie http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/25/do-the-math/#comment-39282 Debbie Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:01:48 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/25/do-the-math/#comment-39282 I have had my soap business for 9 years now, and my craft business for about 3 years. While I do try to keep track of what is going on in the business world, and of course the economy,I try not to focus on those "statistics". Having a firm client base and offering what the clients/customers want is really important, but I have also found that trying to branch out into too many directions can make your foundation weak and affects quality as well. In these times, I cut back to my top 8 best sellers and concentrate on those. That's where custom work comes in. I also feel that a lot of the "doom and gloom" forecasts these days are manufactured to make us feel insecure.(Insecurity breeds panic - not a constructive thing). If we would all just take a deep breath and hold fast, maybe we would find that things are not as bad as "they" want us to believe. Positive thinking!!!! I have had my soap business for 9 years now, and my craft business for about 3 years. While I do try to keep track of what is going on in the business world, and of course the economy,I try not to focus on those “statistics”. Having a firm client base and offering what the clients/customers want is really important, but I have also found that trying to branch out into too many directions can make your foundation weak and affects quality as well. In these times, I cut back to my top 8 best sellers and concentrate on those. That’s where custom work comes in. I also feel that a lot of the “doom and gloom” forecasts these days are manufactured to make us feel insecure.(Insecurity breeds panic - not a constructive thing). If we would all just take a deep breath and hold fast, maybe we would find that things are not as bad as “they” want us to believe. Positive thinking!!!!

]]> Comment on Pink Rosebuds and Candy Corn! by Tess G. http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/22/pink-rosebuds-and-candy-corn/#comment-39281 Tess G. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:46:49 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=299#comment-39281 You make me drool and wish (again) that my nails would grow. I want!!! You make me drool and wish (again) that my nails would grow. I want!!!

]]> Comment on Pink Rosebuds and Candy Corn! by Cat http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/22/pink-rosebuds-and-candy-corn/#comment-39275 Cat Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:37:28 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=299#comment-39275 Thanks, Beth! I thought you'd like those. Thanks, Beth! I thought you’d like those.

]]> Comment on Pink Rosebuds and Candy Corn! by Beth http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/22/pink-rosebuds-and-candy-corn/#comment-39273 Beth Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:52:54 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=299#comment-39273 Those candy corn nails are hot! I love them. Those candy corn nails are hot! I love them.

]]> Comment on Fun exploration by Cat http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/18/fun-exploration/#comment-39271 Cat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:40:40 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=298#comment-39271 Hi Beth, :) Oh good, I'm glad you like it. These things are neat to explore with. Hi Beth, :)

Oh good, I’m glad you like it. These things are neat to explore with.

]]> Comment on Fun exploration by Beth http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/18/fun-exploration/#comment-39270 Beth Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:19:03 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=298#comment-39270 Just beautiful. I love both sets of nails, but the first one is really special. Just beautiful. I love both sets of nails, but the first one is really special.

]]> Comment on Fun exploration by Cat http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/18/fun-exploration/#comment-39269 Cat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:32:43 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=298#comment-39269 Debbie - I'd love to see some of your samples! That's great you've been able to sell yours there in Missouri - and LOL about your sister and niece. But I'm doing the same thing - I just sent a bunch of nail art packages to my mom, sister, and niece to play with. LOL mine is a little older than 15, but I can imagine how excited your niece was to see her auntie's crafty work on her own nails. Yes, a great way to spread the news. Definitely do check with your local nail salons - I know it's a great niche for both us and the nail artists as well. Debbie - I’d love to see some of your samples! That’s great you’ve been able to sell yours there in Missouri - and LOL about your sister and niece. But I’m doing the same thing - I just sent a bunch of nail art packages to my mom, sister, and niece to play with. LOL mine is a little older than 15, but I can imagine how excited your niece was to see her auntie’s crafty work on her own nails. Yes, a great way to spread the news. Definitely do check with your local nail salons - I know it’s a great niche for both us and the nail artists as well.

]]> Comment on Fun exploration by Debbie http://www.catherienarts.com/2008/07/18/fun-exploration/#comment-39268 Debbie Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:22:35 +0000 http://www.catherienarts.com/?p=298#comment-39268 Hi Cat - that is what I have been doing as well - making the nails up as samples. I sell mine down in Missouri, where my niece ans sister have been my greatest publicists!! Amazing how fast the news spreads when you have a 15 year old niece!! My 17 year old is not to much into nails so she has been less than helpful, but here where I live it is nail salons on every corner, so I may go out and see what they are doing. Yours are beautiful!! My husband was wondering why I started baking my canes whole a few months ago - he thought I had lost my mind or something!!! Keep making those pretty canes!!!!! Hi Cat - that is what I have been doing as well - making the nails up as samples. I sell mine down in Missouri, where my niece ans sister have been my greatest publicists!! Amazing how fast the news spreads when you have a 15 year old niece!! My 17 year old is not to much into nails so she has been less than helpful, but here where I live it is nail salons on every corner, so I may go out and see what they are doing. Yours are beautiful!! My husband was wondering why I started baking my canes whole a few months ago - he thought I had lost my mind or something!!! Keep making those pretty canes!!!!!

]]>