The plus and the minus

On the plus side my landlord called me last night. He has someone to take over my salon. My last working day will be October 6 and I'll be moving out on October 7. That's a good thing, but I'm still sad about it. I really tried to make it work. I spent this morning letting all my clients know what was going on and that I could refer them to another stylist if they want me to. That was hard, but I have to make sure they are taken care of.
On the minus side my landlord forgot to tell his wife about our arrangement and I got charged rent today. Now my account is overdrawn and he says there is nothing he can do to fix it. Looks like I get to sell more things to support my salon after all. It sucks, but I can't change it so I'll just have to deal. He swears he won't charge me rent for my final week. If he does what's one more overdraft fee? I'm sure I can get it fixed by next week if I hustle my butt off. It's just funny how things are working out. I'm almost free and then I can work on paying down this new debt along with any others I have incurred. It just means I can't go to the 2 craft shows I was going to sign up for next month. Oh well, I'll get one in November.
I get to go be stuck by my sister-in-law this afternoon. She's studying to be a medical assistant and needs a victim. She pays in cookies so that is definitely a plus. I would let her do it for free, but she doesn't need to know that. Afterwards I get to walk around with some impressive bruises and eat cookies for lunch. Not a bad deal.
All in all it's another day on the roller coaster. Up, down, Up. Cookies are a great way to end it though. Then I'll go home and watch Murder, She Wrote and create more jewelry for my Etsy shop. That will be a great way to end the day. I can't wait!

Nothing much going on here

Sorry I haven't written, there hasn't been anything going on. I'm still searching for someone to take over my studio so I can stop paying rent. Until then it's still a heavy weight on me. I haven't made any Etsy sales yet, but I'm sure I will soon. I do have a custom order to complete though. A client wants a hematite and garnet y necklace. I'm looking forward to that, in my head it looks amazing. My writing has been a bit stalled lately. I feel so pressured from everything else that the blank page is actually kind of soothing and I find myself staring at it in a strange sort of relief. I kind of just stare at the white and feel like I'm floating. It's not normal, but I think my brain needs the rest. The story is still clamoring to get out though so I need to get on with it.
Got to go to Concert Under the Stars on Saturday and that was great. A lady sat next to us with her dogs and the sheltie kept snuggling up to me. It was nice to stare up at the stars with the music washing over me and the furry dog demanding to be petted. Z spent most of the time talking to his friend D. She's nice enough, but I kind of wish I had gone alone. I can't wait until next year when it happens again. It had been a long time since I just watched the sky.
This week I only have 2 clients scheduled so I'll be hitting the parking lot to go fishing. I really hate fishing. It feels a bit like begging or soliciting. Maybe I should wear something a bit more revealing to get more in the mood. That would really bring the people in! Just kidding, I'll just hook them with my big green umbrella and drag them back to my lair. At least I run a catch and release program, they just look better for it. Sorry, I really want seafood right now.
This Sunday Z has some models coming in to shoot. It was going to be to promote my salon, but he still wants to do it. It will be interesting to see how it goes. I've never worked with models before, I get to style their hair. Excited about that.
Life is chugging along and looking up. I just need to work on my perception of it is all.

I saw the shuttle!

It was so neat to see the shuttle fly over. I think it was attached to something else but still really cool. My pics aren't the best as it was moving fast. I'm glad I got to see it though. It made me all tingly.

A good walk for thinking.

Today I spent my walk thinking about all the decisions I have to make. It was productive and I feel better. I also met a dog that wasn't as friendly as he seemed and saw some beautiful flowers. All in all a good walk. What happens happens and the worst that can happen is I ruin my credit a bit. No big loss in the grand scheme of things.

It's all over but the searching

The meeting with my landlord went better than expected. All I have to do is find someone else to rent my studio and I'll be free. He's even helping by offering the other stylists in the building 2 weeks free to anyone who finds someone to take place. Also I can pay off any rent I accrue by cleaning the building in my off hours. He's being way more kind than I thought he would. I feel really lucky.
So far every client I've told is willing to follow me anywhere I go so I'm really grateful there too. Now I just have to find someone. I hope to do that by the 29th so I can move out on the 30th.

My Etsy shop now has 25 items in it and I'm sure I'll get a sale soon. I'm really enjoying the jewelry making and can't wait to get more things up. I'm pacing myself so I don't owe them a lot before I even sell any thing.

On my walk this morning 2 hawks were screaming after a dove and they were loud! It happened so fast I didn't get a pic but the dove flew past me and the hawks just gave up. They all moved so fast it was over before I could react. It was really neat to see wild hawks that close, but I'm glad the dove got away. I did get a good pic of a spider though. They don't move as fast.

I just want it done already!

Today hasn't been good. If I could I would just take my stick and walk away from it all. A half hour in the morning isn't enough and I always end up back where I started.
My only client for the day didn't show so now I'm short $50 for the rent this week and I'll have to sell more personal things to make it up.
My landlord for the salon will meet me on Monday to discuss me getting out of my lease and I'm worried he's going to be difficult about it. I really hope he won't be. I have nothing left to sell but my car and my desk. Those will barely bring enough for one more month and I'm not doing it.
I've learned a lot from this experience,. I'm just done. It wasn't all bad I did meet a lot of interesting people.
Wish me luck on Monday. It will all work out somehow.

Some beautiful clouds

I killed my shredder

Last night while disposing of old checks to an account I closed I killed my shredder. It made the most horrible noise, a cross between bad brakes and a lion roar and wouldn't go any more. That shredder had been with me for over two years. It faithfully ate everything I fed it and happily growled for more. I killed it by over feeding it.
Now it sits in the trash can to be recycled. It was a good and faithful friend who destroyed my mistakes and obliterated my junk mail.
It will be missed.

Saw a cool idea for a roof

I saw a great roofing idea on my walk today. I wonder if Z will do it.

My husband's a sweetie

Z is taking pics of all the jewelry I've put on Etsy so far because my photos suck. He's so nice about it, he only laughed at mine a little bit. He also showed me how to adjust my photos so I can hopefully do it myself. They still won't be as good as his though.
I'm lucky I have a photographer for a husband.
Tomorrow I will add more items and update the ones he's shot. I've had a lot of lookers and this will turn them into buyers. (fingers crossed)
The salon is still super slow and Z is making noises about me staying he to write. He's even offering to help set up a mini salon for my regulars here. It's so tempting, but I don't want to be a failure. It's a lot to think about.
He has a point, but it's weird to have people in my house. It would save a lot of money though and I'm a bit sick of rice and potatoes.
It's been 6 months and I'm still not turning a profit so I don't know.
Don't you hate it when someone is offering you a dream when your working on a goal.

Slivers Salon is 6 months old!

Today is my 6 month anniversary of opening my salon. It's a big milestone for me and I am very happy I haven't gone under yet. It's been rough, but worth it. I have big hopes for the future, it can only go up from here.
Now that I have made it this long I have a new goal. To make it to the nine month mark. I hope I can do it and will keep trying my hardest. Hopefully etsy will be a big help with that. 3 months from now I want to be self sufficient and able to help pay the bills at home. Failure is not an option!

Life is Funny!

I went to the salon today so I could post what I made to etsy in peace. The cats hate the computer or love it. So I'm taking photos and people keep coming in to see what I'm doing which is fine, but so far only 2 things have gone up. What's funny though is I've had my creations here for a while but as soon as they know I'm posting them for sale they want to buy.
So far I've sold a necklace and a pair of earrings. I also have 3 things to hold until Friday. That's 5 things in one day! Usually I'm lucky to sell that many here in a week and I have to spend my day off running around town selling it for way less.
I may not have made an etsy sale yet but it sure is helping already!
Cloudy this morning too so another great walk! This day is great!

No clients so I'm taking the day for Etsy

I have no clients scheduled at the salon so I'm taking the day to work on my etsy shop SliversofMagick . My goal is to have at least 15 items posted by the end of the day.
I figure if I pick one day a week where I have no one coming in to take off then I can make enough items to post for that week. It's funny how a hobby that I do to stay awake watching TV may end up saving my salon. I have to keep aiming high.
My plan is to make enough on etsy to not have to go out in the parking lot and fish. That would free up at least 2 hours a day more to write. Which in turn would lead to faster publication (fingers numb from crossing!) and me making money doing what I love.
It's a solid plan and since I didn't have anyone scheduled I can start it today. Maybe soon I can take 2 days off and use one to clean house. =)
I figured out how to link to the shop on my sidebar. I added a page that goes straight to it. This is so cool! It only took me how many days?
Life is great!!!

It's a beautiful cloudy day

I have a client in at 8 this morning so stick and I went walking in my work neighborhood. It's so nice out that I didn't want to come back. The clouds are big gray piles in the sky and I really hope it rains today.
All the dogs I saw were on leashes and I even got to pet one named Sophie. I forgot to get her owners name. Oops! She was such a sweet dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback. She is huge but so gentle. She has a lump to be removed tomorrow and they were out enjoying a walk before she's out of commission for a week. I gave the owner my card and hope she'll call and let me know how it goes.
There were a lot of other walkers out and they all waved and smiled. I wish my home neighborhood was this friendly. I'm going to have to schedule early clients more often.
The roads here are hillier than I'm used to and stick came in handy there. I really like its longer length. There's no more hunching to go down hill and I get to enjoy the scenery more. I saw a neat eucalyptus tree that looks like it's been through a few storms and is ready for more. All in all it was a great way to start my day.
I hope yours goes great too!

Michael Clarke Duncan R.I.P.

I just found out that one of my favorite actors has died. He had a heart attack back in July and they think that played a part. He was only 54.
He will be missed!

Happy Labor Day!

I hope everyone has fun today! For me it's a day to take stock of how far I've come in my life and to be grateful to all those who've helped me.
It's also a great day for a BBQ!
If you have to work enjoy the fact that you have a job and if you're off enjoy the time of rest. Have a great day!

A good walk this morn.

I had a good walk this morning down to a little park then home. The stick moves better in the real world than in the store. We will be happy together.

My etsy is open!

I have 2 things in my etsy shop and I figure every day or so I'll add a couple more. I got them in yesterday but still can't figure out how to link it here. I'll keep trying.
Thanks again for the help picking out the name!
I think you can go to:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SliversofMagick
To see it. That's how I get there. This is so cool! I hated selling on eBay and this will be way better!

I got my stick!

I swear I start trying to make money in other ways and my shop just explodes. I had enough people today I covered rent for the week and was able to get my stick!
I'm still going to put things on etsy after dinner but without further ado
isn't it beautiful!