If I Knew I Could Not Fail, I would….

This is a topic that has been on my mind almost incessantly for the past few weeks.

During my time spent dreaming about opening my Etsy Shop, I was browsing Pinterest and stumbled across a Pin entitled “31 Days to Build a Creative Business”.  This post single-handedly made this crazy dream of mine cross the line into reality.  Not only is the information in this 31 day series absolutely amazing, but it also lead me to find Lisa Jacobs, owner of the Energy Shop on Etsy and author of Marketing Creativity.

Lisa’s writing & teaching style really spoke to me.  Her energy and positivity shine through her words.  I ate up the free resources available on her website & blog so quickly that I just couldn’t wait for more.

One of Lisa’s newest endeavors is The Luminaries Club, “a private space [for members only] filled to the brim with tools, resources & trade secrets”.  Let me tell you right now:  If you are ever thinking of making the leap into your own creative business, or even if you already have a small business of your own, the resources available through this membership are absolutely wonderful.  Not only is it chock full of how-to’s and insider tips… you will also find goal setting exercises, time management resources, and guided prompts to help you get more out of your business.

All of this leads me to the topic at hand: If I knew I could not fail, I would… 

In one of Lisa’s courses, she talks about this prompt and says:

 I challenge you to answer this prompt boldly. The answer to this exercise is what your life is calling you to do. Don’t let anything stand in your way!

So, without further ado, I introduce you to my If I knew I could not fail list:

1. If I knew I could not fail, I would… Open an Etsy shop where I sell bohemian-inspired jewelry.
2. If I knew I could not fail, I would…  Start a website/blog where I share my creative process, ideas, and daily musings.
3. If I knew I could not fail, I would…  Sign up to be a vendor at local craft shows throughout the year to help increase my marketing reach and network with other creative business owners.
4. If I knew I could not fail, I would…  Use my creative business & blog to create a stream of income to help support my family.

Now, you may be saying “But Kara!  You have already done TWO of those things!”.  And you’re right!  But at the time I wrote this list, all 4 items were things that I had not yet done.  I had only DREAMED of opening my own shop.  I had only DREAMED about starting my own blog.  I knew right away that I needed to get to work on making my dreams a reality.  So I did.

The last two items on my list are things that I plan on getting done by the end of the year.

#3 – I realize that the time of year for craft shows is already upon us.  I have nowhere NEAR the amount of inventory I would need to be a vendor at any of the shows this spring.  Therefore, I plan on attending as many shows and events as possible to really get the lay of the land so to speak.  I’ll get an idea for what kinds of items do well, what quantities of items crafters bring, and what kind of people I’ll be doing business with.  I will also be able to start the second part of this plan: networking with other creative business owners in my area.

#4 – Using my creative business and blog to create a stream of income to help support my family.  This is really just an ongoing plan full of SO many intricacies.  It involves careful marketing, networking, research, organization, and planning.  I will be dedicating myself to this business as if I were clocking in to a “real job” every day.  Through hard work and laser focused dedication, I hope to have built a steady, reliable source of income for my family.

So now I ask you, Boho Berry Readers… What would YOU do if you knew you could not fail?

Please leave your comments below.  I would LOVE to hear what big dreams you would put into action If you knew you could not fail…

!!!Boho Berry Shop is Open!!!

Hello my darlings!  I am SO SO SO happy to share that my Etsy Shop is now up and running!  I only have a few select items right now, but I am just beyond excited!  Have I used enough exclamation points yet? Geez!

I have added a “Shop” Page to my website as well.  You can find it at the very tip-top of this page.  So, if you’re ever browsing through my blog and are curious about the store… It’s just a handy click away : )

Copperhead Road (Sneak Peak)

Of course I haven’t been able to stop creating today!  I’m so excited for my Etsy Store launch on Monday!  I thought you all might like to see a sneak peak of a couple more items I’ve been working on…

I couldn’t help but thinking of the song “Copperhead Road” while I was making this bracelet.  I just had to make a matching set of earrings for it right away…

Enjoy! : )

Copperhead Road (Sneak Peak)

Of course I haven’t been able to stop creating today!  I’m so excited for my Etsy Store launch on Monday!  I thought you all might like to see a sneak peak of a couple more items I’ve been working on…

I couldn’t help but thinking of the song “Copperhead Road” while I was making this bracelet.  I just had to make a matching set of earrings for it right away…

Enjoy! : )

Cooking Adventures & Wrap Bracelet Fun!

Finally… a day off!

In my normal, everyday, bartender life, a day off usually means that you will find me kicking back and relaxing at home with my husband.  Today, however, I decided to take this time to work on my craft and mix some delicious food in for fun!

One of my biggest passions in life is food.  I remember being in the kitchen with my grandmother (love you, Mema!) from a very young age.  That woman taught me everything she knew, from delicious baked goods to the fabulous comfort foods of my youth.  I grew SUCH a love for food and the absolute zen and calm that I feel every time I am in the kitchen.  I think it was that love for food that drove me towards my career in restaurants for the last 15 years.  I have been so lucky to have worked alongside many amazing chefs throughout the years.  Probably the ONE thing that saddens me about leaving the industry is not having a chef to bounce my new ideas off of anymore.

So, for breakfast this morning, I decided to do something more time consuming than our usual bacon & eggs.  I made the most delicious frittata with Zucchini, Bacon, Caramelized Onions, Peppers & Basil… Yum!

Here is what it looked like fresh out of the oven:

And here you can see how pretty it is turned out on the cutting board, and then all of the delicious layers of flavor:

It was SO tasty that between me and my husband, the whole thing was gone in less than 10 minutes!

Now, on to the wrap bracelet that consumed the better part of my day!  My latest obsession has been the wrap bracelet trend that I have seen sweeping the internet lately, so you know I had to create one of my own!

The colors in this bracelet remind me of the gorgeous clear beaches that we visited on our honeymoon to Maui… The bright greens and teals of the ocean, with the dark grey of the rocks scattered beneath the crystal blue water:

 

For this bracelet, I used a supple distressed Italian leather cord, an assortment of beads, and a variety of macrame stitches and laddering techniques. I had so much fun making this bracelet!  Let me know what you think in the comments below : )

Creative Adventures…

Hi all!

I’ve been super busy the last couple of days.  First, I put in my 2-week’s notice at work… step #1 in starting my new adventure.  I have to admit, hanging up my bartending hat is something that both terrifies and excites me all at the same time.  I’m terrified because of that voice in the back of my head telling me that I may not succeed in this new venture.  I’m terrified because I am now responsible for my own success and possibly my own failure as well.  But at the same time, I am so damn excited!  I know that what I do from here on out is going to bring me so much freedom and joy.  I’m excited that I am starting to live my dream of turning my creative side into a source of income and stability for my family.

All of that being said, I have been doing a ton of research on opening an Etsy store.  I feel like I am slowly learning the ins and outs of running a small business.  I have to admit, it’s a bit overwhelming!  But I know that with time and patience I will get this whole thing figured out and hit the ground running before I know it.

I’ve made a couple of starter projects.  Basically just playing around with a few different ideas.  I’m absolutely in LOVE with these crocheted hoop earrings.  I plan on making a few different variations of them with different thread colors and beads.

I made this bracelet/necklace to coordinate with the hoops.  Not sure if I’m completely happy with it yet but we’ll see.  The idea is that you can wear it as a bracelet, or you can unwind it and wear it as a necklace as well.  I’m thinking I might go back to the drawing board on this one and see if I can come up with a way to make it a more interesting piece.

That’s all I have for today.  I’m off to create some more pieces and hopefully come up with something even more fun to show you next time : )

And so it begins…

Hello, world!

This is my very first post in what I hope will be an amazing change in my life!

First, a little background on me:

My name is Kara and I am a 32 year old veteran of the bar & restaurant industry.  I have been blessed with an amazing husband and beautiful daughter who will be turning 9 soon (eek!).

I have been SO fortunate throughout my life to experience many different places, people and cultures.  Throughout my time on this beautiful earth, I have grown an immense respect for nature, people, and the energy I see in the places I travel to.

Besides my career, I have evolved a huge love for everything crafty.   I love to knit & crochet, spin yarn, make jewelry, refinish furniture… you name it, I’ve made it!

With all of that in mind, I have decided to retire from my 15+ years of waiting tables & bartending.  I am going to pursue my dream of owning my own business where I can let my creative side run free… a career of my own where I can feel a sense of direction and control over my own time.

I am so excited to start this new chapter in my journey!  Please join me in what I’m sure will be a most entertaining roller coaster… on my way to a happier life : )