end of summer

I realize I haven't posted anything in quite awhile. I've been feeling rather overloaded with work lately. It's something I know I just have to get used to... Stress is one of those things I can't deal with easily and whenever there are what seem like a million things on my plate, I just feel unsettled and I HATE that feeling. So I'm trying to learn how to deal with stress and all that lovely stuff. It's just one of those things you learn to deal with throughout life I guess. There's this WWII poster I think of every time I'm feeling a little worried. It simply says "Keep Calm and Carry On." Isn't that lovely? I am determined to acquire that print someday. For the time being I have a little posted note written to myself and stuck to my calendar. So every time I look up I see that note. :) Oh, life...it's so wonderful and yet so confusing at the same time.

Here's something I wrote a few days ago...

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Summer has passed us by and now it's the beginning of the dead season. Not that I don't like autumn, but there is a deadness about autumn that can be slightly depressing. I felt like I never really got to enjoy summer until it was half over. I made an effort to wear sundresses on particularly hot days. I even went swimming for the first time in YEARS. I had forgotten how much fun it was. I want to go to the lake again and jump in the water. I want to have a chance to wear that new bathing suit I got! I want to have time to walk around the countryside on terribly hot and muggy days. I want to be outside for hours and hours and not get an ounce of a tan on my skin, unless you count the thirty freckles that suddenly appeared all over my face, arms and knees. I want to have spontaneous dance parties every single night. I want to listen to music in the car, with all the windows rolled down... I want to camp out on random nights, with no tent and no sleeping bag. Just a few blankets and some friends.

It's not that summer is so much different from the rest of the year, except of course the weather is quite a bit different here. But I don't go to school, so it's not like I have less work to get done than I do any other day out of the year. But there's something about summer that is freeing. It's almost like you feel more free just because you can walk outside with your bare feet on, a tank top and a cotton skirt and suddenly you feel as though you're apart of everything around you. Yes, that last sentence sounds a little strange, but for me sometimes I feel like that. Maybe it's not just summer I'm thinking of. Maybe it's every day out of the year. Maybe I'm forgetting that there's lovely things to look at, even when it's 20 below outside. Or maybe it's just that I feel like I didn't appreciate the summer as much as I could have...and now it's already gone. Look outside the window and realize what a beautiful world this is...before it all melts away.
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I was going to go to Kentucky this weekend, but that didn't end up working out so I've decided to go visit my sister in Des Moines to celebrate her 25th birthday. (Happy birthday, Katie!!) I'll bring my camera and will try to go a little wild with it. But then again, there's no trying necessary for me. I love taking pictures. So we'll see...perhaps I will post again before long. Take care everyone out there in cyber world. And if you aren't doing anything this weekend, GO and DO something. Be spontaneous! And don't give a hoot what anyone thinks of you. Because it doesn't matter! (I promise.)

Etsy vs. selling at a local shop

I've been thinking about selling some of my items in a local Iowa City shop I recently discovered called White Rabbit. I have no idea if they would even take my stuff, but I've heard they do a lot of consignment. It would mean I'd get to keep 60% of the profit, which isn't bad. But I've also thought of selling stuff on Etsy. You may be wondering why I'm even thinking of this, because I already have my own business and sell stuff through my website, The Graceful Lady. But my website is basically geared towards historical reproductions as well as the occasional wedding gown. Although I've always thought it would be fun to sell some of my modern creations. I tried to put a few things on a separate page of my website for awhile, but that didn't work. And now that page is screwed up, which I don't understand. In fact my whole website needs updated, but that's a totally different story!

So I've been thinking of selling some of my things on Etsy, since that would mean I'd get full profit. Although I could be unaware of a cost to sell on Etsy. I haven't really looked into it that much. I thought I could do both; sell on Etsy AND sell some stuff on consignment. The store I found is 100% d.i.y. which I think is way cool and I love to support local businesses. But at the same time I need to think of my own labor and the amount of work I put into a garment. After all, I've got to think about supporting myself too. Of course it wouldn't hurt to sell some of my things at the local store for a time and see how I like it. Plus it might get my name out around here. I honestly don't mind selling most of my things out of state, though. It's not a big deal to me. I'm just happy when people find what they're looking for and that I can be a service. So it's a toss up for me.

Anyone have an opinion? I'd love to hear it. :)