What's Happening Wednesday - A Little Thing Called Etsy

Happy Wednesday! I'm so excited to share with you what I've been up to this week! It's this "little" thing called Etsy. I finally opened my shop! Sure it still has a looong way to go, but by gosh I started! {Confession: I actually opened a seller account in February of 2010, but I got a little overwhelmed and never did anything with it! Shame on me...}

After my trip to The Stationery Academy, I decided it was time to get a "real" Etsy shop up and running. I had always thought that being on Etsy would cheapen my brand, but what I discovered was that I've been missing out on reaching a huge audience. I knew Etsy was "big," but I didn't understand just how big - or how beneficial it could be for a designer like me. I'm so excited about the opportunities that may present themselves by having an Etsy shop... and I'm hopeful that I'll reach many new customers and gain a whole new online community!

I'm in the very beginning stages, and all I have listed are baby shower invitations. But I plan to add wedding papers, personalized stationery, matted wall prints, calendars, Christmas cards, children's birthday invitations and party supplies, serving trays, luggage tags, the list goes on! So if you'd be so kind to "follow" my shop or add me to your "favorites" on Etsy, I'd be so thrilled! I'm just a tiny little piece of the Etsy puzzle, but I'm so very excited about what's to come!

The Beth Hart Designs Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BethHartDesigns

Here she is in all her beginning stages glory!

Monday Motivation - The Lumineers

Happy Monday! It's time to get motivated for a productive week! My husband and I love music... especially live music. And living in Nashville is kind of perfect for us! This town is showered with talented musicians offering live performances every single night of the week. Last Tuesday night, we went to the Cannery Ballroom to see The Lumineers. It was an amazing show... I highly recommend seeing them live! One of their songs, "Stubborn Love" is the inspiration for today's Monday Motivation.

I was talking with a fellow entrepreneur last week about how hard it is as a business owner to put yourself "out there" day after day. For me, Beth Hart Designs is a representation of me, my values, and my passions (and I'm working on making it even more that way). So when things don't always go as planned, it can be pretty painful. I hate to "fall short," and although I know that great things are in store for me, the journey can be difficult at times. But this line from "Stubborn Love" reminds us that feeling pain is better than feeling nothing at all. And I totally agree... if we don't feel pain, that means we're not living life to the fullest. Because if we're honest, life is painful sometimes, but at least we're living which means we have the opportunity to make amazing things happen!

The words "The opposite of Love's indifference" also ring true to life and work. If we're not loving what we do or passionate about life, we become "indifferent" which is so far from what I wish to be. I want to live each day with enthusiasm and passion and to be able to spread that passion to others. So I encourage you to put yourself "out there" and work hard to be the best you can... even if it's painful. Because those "growing pains" can be the fuel to your fire which will make you stronger, wiser, more successful and more passionate in everything you do!

Here are a few photos from the concert...

The Lumineers with Old Crow Medicine Show

What's Happening Wednesday - Football Baby Showers

Happy Wednesday! I'm loving this time of the year... Fall is almost here! Which means football is almost here! And as most people know, football is kind of a big deal here in the South. Thanks to a little inspiration from a customer, I have put together a series of baby shower invitations representing none other than fans' favorite football teams! These designs can be customized to your favorite team's colors... what a great way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of another football fan!

Represented Teams: Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee - Others Available!

And now time for my shameless plug... Hotty Toddy! (That's a little thing we say at my beloved Ole Miss)

Monday Motivation - Encouraging Friends

It's Monday! Time for a little motivation to get you through the week! I will be honest, I wasn't feeling overly motivated this morning. I have a LONG to-do list, and it can be slightly overwhelming to think about. I was lacking the ambition to start tackling "the list"... it just seemed to be never-ending! Then I received the most uplifting text message from a friend who said she was praying for me to feel confident and encouraged today and throughout the week. Talk about timing! I so needed her reminder to keep working hard at what I love. Thank you, sweet friend!

My friend's message is the inspiration behind today's motivation. Friends are precious gifts from God, and I hope to be a great friend to others just as I've been blessed by my wonderful friends! I found a quotation about helping others to become what they are capable of being, so I re-worded it to modernize it a little and make it more applicable to my experience today. Encouragement from others can do wonders for the soul, so let's get busy building each other up! Have a fabulous week... and go become what you're capable of being!

What's Happening Wednesday - Birthdays and Calendars

It's Wednesday! Time to fill you in on all the good things happening here at Beth Hart Designs!

I just love working on children's birthday parties! The cute and creative themes that my customers come up with never cease to amaze me! I offer custom children's party designs starting at $25, and these designs can be carried throughout all of the great products I offer... invitations, thank you notes, banners, welcome signs, placemats, favor tags, food place cards, cupcake toppers... the list goes on! Here are a few of the designs I've been working on this week:

The slightly cooler weather has me thinking about the end of the year... Fall and Christmas products are coming soon! I finished up the new 2013 Desk Calendar design this morning, and I'm so excited to share it with you! These calendars are $15 each which includes 12 month-at-a-glance cards measuring 5.25"x5.25" and a clear stand for display. They make the perfect desk accessory! Be sure to order one for you and a friend!

The Stationery Academy...

I can't believe we're already half-way through August... where did July go? One thing I do know is that July brought me a life-changing opportunity called The Stationery Academy. I briefly referenced my experiences in one of my Monday Motivation posts, but now that I've had a little time to think it through and soak {some} of it in, I'm ready to share more!

I began Beth Hart Designs in 2008, but only since I got back from The Stationery Academy have I really understood where I was going to take my business... and I have confidence in that decision. I have always believed in my design abilities, but my biggest fear has been that I won't be able to reach my full potential because I don't know how. Thanks to the amazing speakers at The Stationery Academy, I feel equipped to map out a plan that I feel will allow me to reach higher and achieve the goals that I have for my business.

Here are a few of the things I learned and how I plan to implement them throughout Beth Hart Designs:

• I need to more clearly define my design style which in-turn will define my brand. Emily McCarthy shared some fascinating tips with us that can help us find our true design style. She is an amazingly talented designer and challenged us to find inspiration from things around us that we love - not from other stationery designers. She really built up my confidence, and I am so excited about the possibilities that can come from me looking deeper within myself! I have been working on a few collections that I feel truly represent me and my style. Stay tuned!

• I need to build an Etsy store and increase my online presence. The super-creative Rachel Shingleton of Pencil Shavings Studio is the ultimate social networking genius! I had the pleasure of being one of her roommates, and I learned so much from her. She has such a love for social media, and her positive attitude has started to rub off on me - a person who often feels overwhelmed by the internet! She has built a thriving Etsy business, and Etsy is something I've been afraid to tackle... but I'm learning that I've been missing out by not getting on board. I plan to have an Etsy shop open soon, and I'm increasing my social media presence (slowly, day by day). I'm really excited to see where these steps will take me!

• I need to make my client experience a top priority. I love helping customers by designing just the right "look" for their special events, but I've realized that I'm often in such a hurry to get orders completed and shipped out that I forget to include the special touches. I'm working on my packaging, I want my customers to know how much they mean to me, and I want to add a little something special to my orders that will help set me apart from the rest. Amber Housley has established an impressive client experience in her own business, and she shared so much eye-opening information at The Stationery Academy. I'm so glad she shed some light on this important feature that will help to better establish my brand!

• And last, but certainly not least, I know where Beth Hart Designs is going thanks to our wonderful leaders Whitney English Kolb and Natalie Ellis Chang. I arrived at The Stationery Academy unsure of what direction I was heading. I have so much going on within BHD - I have a wholesale line for retailers, I offer custom party designs, I offer wedding designs, I participate in Christmas retail shows, I offer free-lance work for other businesses, I rent a small retail space at The Shoppes on Main in Franklin, the list goes on... and I feel so busy doing all of this half-heartedly. I want to be great at what I do and give it 110%, not just part of me. Whitney and Natalie challenged us to look deep within ourselves and define who we are, what our values are, what strengths we have, and so much more. I didn't know just how much all of this soul-searching would mean to me. I desperately need to make Beth Hart Designs a true representation of me and all that I have to offer. I'm so very excited about the direction of my business, but there is so much {hard} work to be done! I am planning to spend some time re-reading the homework that we were given and start laying the foundation for the future of the new and improved Beth Hart Designs.

I owe a huge thank you to Whitney and Natalie for putting The Stationery Academy together. I know that my business will be better because of their vision and hard work, and that is so valuable to me. Whitney and Natalie have been my long-time stationery industry heroes, but especially now more than ever! Thank you for "paying it forward."

Look at all these goodies I brought home! Talk about successful branding!

Monday Motivation - What You Become

Good Monday Morning! I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are rested and ready for a productive week ahead! I have so many fun projects to work on this week - projects for both my customers as well as the business development of Beth Hart Designs! Tomorrow, I will be sharing my experiences and lessons learned from The Stationery Academy... so stay tuned!

Since my trip to The Stationery Academy, I've been making lists and setting goals for how to improve my brand. I've been digging deep to figure out what it is I wish to accomplish as the owner and designer of BHD. I know that I want to work hard to provide excellent designs, products and services, and I want to inspire a deep passion for Southern living, style and hospitality. But mostly I want to honor our Father in everything I do. More importantly than what I will receive by reaching my goals, is what I will become by achieving my goals. My business means much more to me than just the products I offer, and I'm so excited about the future of Beth Hart Designs!

So while you're working hard to reach your goals, remember that in the end it's more about who you will become rather than what you will receive. Here's to a great week!

What's Happening Wednesday - A 30th Birthday Par-Tee!

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to take a little time to fill you in on what's been happening around here at Beth Hart Designs. My husband turned 30 yesterday, so I threw him a surprise birthday party last Friday night. We loved having our friends with us to celebrate, and I really enjoyed putting my design skills to use with a "golf par-tee" theme!

While doing some research on the internet one day, I came across a contest titled "Made in the South Awards" hosted by one of my favorite magazines, Garden & Gun. I thought to myself "Oh what the heck, I'll give it a shot!" So I called up my talented friend Molly of SimplyMPhotography to help me by taking some professional photos of the party products I'd made for my husband's birthday. She blew me away with the images she captured, and I was beyond thrilled to submit them for the contest! Whether or not I receive an award from Garden & Gun remains to be seen, but I'm so proud of the beautiful photos that Molly was able to give me! Here are a few of my favorites...

And now for the not so professional photos that I took at the party on Friday night... (I sure am glad I decided to go with paper design rather than take the photography route!)

Monday Motivation - Pursue Righteousness and Love

Good morning! I hope your Monday is off to a great start! I've had a very busy past few days celebrating my husband's 30th birthday, helping some sweet friends move into a new home, celebrating another good friend's graduation, and honoring my great aunt and uncle's 70th wedding anniversary - yes, that's right... 70th wedding anniversary!

My Aunt Rosie and Uncle Larry are the most amazing and admirable people. They love each other, their family, their friends, and life with all of their hearts. They have set such a wonderful example for me with their devotion to God and to each other. They are my inspiration in so many ways. They live righteously with hearts full of love, and they serve God with thankfulness for all of His blessings. They are in their 90's but have such young spirits with sharp minds and healthy bodies. They are a perfect picture of what I desire for my husband and me as we grow older together.

I love these old photos... such treasures!

My sweet aunt and uncle are my inspiration for today's Monday Motivation. I think Proverbs 21:21 sums it up quite nicely. If we live righteously with loving hearts, we will experience life to the fullest. God is great and will bless us abundantly through our service to Him... just as He has blessed Aunt Rosie and Uncle Larry throughout their 70 years of marriage.