30 Days of Blogging: Day 1

30 Days of Blogging
Day 1: The story of your blog

I decided to do this 30 Days of Blogging challenge for two reasons.

1. So readers could to know me, and what I want to do.
2. So I could possibly figure out what I want to do.

I know, I know... The two statements contradict each other. Shouldn't I already have a clear picture in my mind how I want things to go? Yes, and no. I have a picture, an idea that is Hot Chocolate Weather. What I don't have is the idea refined crystal clear enough that I'm ready to open an actual store or go to craft events with it. I'm still working on the brand of what I want it to be. Do I want it to just be a segment of a hand crafted business, do I want to incorporate other types of crafting besides crochet and knitting? Would I be doing too much? It's all very muddled.

 

Which is where this blog comes in. I was hoping that by starting it early in Hot Chocolate Weather's infancy that I would be able to come up with a clear idea, with the help people reading, enjoying, and maybe even commenting about their own personal journeys about their scary, nerve-wracking foray into entrepreneurship. Whether it's an Ecommerce business or brick and mortar. It's all a gamble.

 

I wanted to be able to share this with you. I hope you enjoy and maybe, possibly, learn from my own mistakes, struggles, or even from my triumphs.

 

I'm not sure if this is necessarily the 'story of my blog,' but more, why I blog. Why now, before I even have a store or inventory. I am thankful I have a learning outlet for Hot Chocolate Weather, and even more thankful for any possible readers I may get from starting this blog.

 

Side Note: Day two will be posted Friday. Wednesday will be a Work In Progress blog which will feature a custom order I am working on. Also, stay tuned because in the coming week I will be featuring a free pattern for hand warmers!

 

Have a Happy and Safe New Years everyone!



New Year's Resolution

I spent way too much money on Christmas gifts this year. Plain and simple. Which leads me to my only resolution for 2014: I am only going to give hand made gifts this year. I know, I know, I said that for 2013 too... However, here is the difference: I now know my limits AND I got a sewing machine for Christmas. I should probably get started, there's five birthdays in January. Ufta. 

Somebody played too hard at Grandma's on Christmas Eve. Not going to say who, but let's just say I was in bed shortly after too! 

I also have some goals I want to achieve with Hot Chocolate Weather which is to have an Etsy shop and inventory by the end of 2014. I'm currently only taking custom orders and I want to actually have SOME inventory. Especially if I want to be going to craft shows eventually too. 

What are some of your goals or resolutions? How do you manage your time best? Let me know in the comments!

Merry Christmas!

I just want to say Merry Christmas to all of my readers! Thank you for reading, and I hope you have an enjoyable day that you get to spend with family/friends. Have safe travels!

Thank you everyone who has contributed to Hot Chocolate Weather in some way this year. I have some big plans/ideas for this blog and HCW in the coming weeks and I hope you all are as excited as me. So stay warm -- and you stay classy San Diego. ;)

Business Wish List

Some things I've been thinking about while I should have been crocheting some of the custom orders I have (!!!):

I really want to be efficient and organized and still be able to keep a relationship with my current and future customers. I want to be able to keep track of things I have made for them, with pictures and maybe a copy of the pattern (or if it's one I whipped up on the fly maybe a brief description of what I did.)

I don't have much space in my apartment for an office area. If I did, I'd be afraid my little monster would get into it. So, anything I do have for HCW needs to be able to be tucked away or hidden from his little, curious fingers.

I started a wish list (on paper not on Amazon or other shopping site) for possible things I might want to help keep me organized.

- File Folders
- File Box or Case -- Or even a hanging wall file - that would keep it away from curious little fingers!
- Manila or "Kraft" Envelopes
- Receipt book(s)
- Printer (and ink and paper.... )
- Ledger Cards & Notebook
- White Board/Bulletin Board to keep track of custom orders and progress of custom orders.

Sidebar - I just really like office supplies as a whole, but these are things I'd like to help me run my business more efficiently.

What makes you efficient? How do you stay organized? Let me know in the comments :) Have a nice day!

DIY & Tutorials

Lately I've been in love with watching DIY Youtube videos. Some are pretty ingenious. One of my favorites is Anne Le. She has room decor, fashion, and organizational DIYs. A lot of which are no sew which is excellent because I do not have a sewing machine (soon hopefully!)

I really want to gather some pretty fabric and make the wall hanging organizer: Video Tutorial

Ann's Website
Ann's Youtube Channel

I hope you enjoy her tutorials as much as I do! What are some of your favorites?

Facebook Give Away!

There is a Facebook give away going on!

All you have to do is like the status that mentions the give away (there is one and will only be the one) and be liking Hot Chocolate Weather too!

Bonus entry for sharing it too!

Winner gets a FREE custom order mitten and hat set! So get to liking and sharing!
Hot Chocolate Weather Facebook

Holidays

I don't know about you, but I am getting super excited for the holidays. My Pinterest board "Holiday Cheer," is currently getting bigger and bigger with ideas for decorating my apartment for Christmas. A lot of them are things I can have my son make (he'll be one, so it's easy stuff like his foot print) to create keepsakes for the years to come.

What are you looking forward to this holiday season? Food, decorating, family, maybe even the snow? I am just getting giddy with excitement for Thanksgiving too - can't forget the day we give our thanks! 

One thing I am thankful for this season is being able to do what I love to possibly bring others happiness. I am thankful for my family and all of the craziness they bring. Also, I am thankful for you, for reading this post. 

Thank You. 

Hot Chocolate Weather

A quick link to my Pinterest Holiday Cheer Board: Holiday Cheer

Now on Facebook!

Hot Chocolate Weather is now available to be liked or shared on Facebook! Once I get to 100 likes there will be a giveaway! Oooooh Exciting. :)

Hot Chocolate Weather on Facebook!

Like me & Share me because there might be a surprise for a referral.

Also.... it's kind of blank, now. But I will be updating it when I get more pictures of what I have on hand.


Thank you!

Craft Fairs

So this week I have been looking into Craft Fairs that are in Minnesota to see if there are any I would be interested in representing Hot Chocolate Weather at for next year. There are a couple I am interested in going to, and even a company that specializes in setting up craft fairs. I requested information from them, and it seems like an interesting company. I'd be kind of excited.

I'm trying to think of what I should make to have this all ready for next year. Hats, scarves, mittens, headbands, jewelry.... Oh gosh, this list could go on. I'm debating on bringing baby stuff, or if I should try to make a blanket or two for season. I know those might not sell, or maybe they will. Oh gosh, I'm so excited to start planning this and getting stuff ready.

I have four hats in the works of being designed. Three that would benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society (or the Lung Cancer foundation that I can't remember the name off of the top of my head) and the Susan G Komen foundation, and then one for the Epilepsy Foundation.

I'm working on a design with my friend Erica on a hat for the Epilepsy foundation which I hope to have one and a pattern completed by November (which is Epilepsy Awareness Month) so I can send it to her. I want her to have the first one.

Also, I'm trying to figure out knitting. Again.

Anyway, everyone have a good week!

Etsy Store or Somewhere else?

Hey Guys,

So, I've been away from normal blogging for three reasons.

1. We went to the Renaissance Festival and I was busy getting us (me, the boyfriend, and baby boy) ready so we could just leave after I got off work.

2. Work/School

3. I've been researching ways to sell online.

I've been looking into the obvious shops like Etsy or if I should do it more organically and create my own shop. Creating my own store online I feel would be 8 bagillion (it's a measurement I swear!) times more expensive and time consuming. Which, as I've illustrated above I do not have a lot of.

I really want to take my time with this and get all the details right for me so I am proud of what I come up with and not so rushed. That's really why I wanted to start this blog first so I could document my journey of creating Hot Chocolate Weather. I want to make everyone feel included.

I'm thinking that maybe before starting a store online and selling actual inventory (vs. custom orders) that maybe I will start going to craft shows, expos, trade shows and talk with people and see how they did it. Then maybe set up a booth when I feel more comfortable.

I want to start out small and gain customers who keep coming back because they know I'm good at what I do and I will work with them.

I'm really seriously debating on whether or not to focus on one aspect of crochet or just go crazy and do what I want and sell what I want.

I'm also thinking of future promotions or small gifts for large orders. I keep telling myself to move slowly but I feel like I keep rushing. I'm going to get a notebook to keep all my loose lists and ideas in.

With that I leave you...

Love & Warmth to You,

Hailey

Summery Weather

So, while I've been thinking and asking people what they think of the name of Hot Chocolate Weather I get the reaction of "What about summer weather?" I seem to have to keep fighting for the people around me to get it. Which makes me wonder if I made a mistake in naming my future business this.

Then again, I make cozy homey things. If I sell more in the winter, then I have the summer to catch up and stock inventory. Or, at least that's what I'm telling myself.

This has been a post about self doubt. I will kick myself into gear with pictures and ideas of what I'm going to add to my store soon. I hope everyone has a good rest of their week!

What makes you doubt yourself? How do you get out of that funk?

Hot Chocolate Weather

Welcome to the inaugural post of Hot Chocolate Weather! My name is Hailey and I will be your host for this evening.

Hot Chocolate Weather is my brain child for possibly a new business venture for me. I intend to create things that make you feel homey and warm. Just like a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

I got the idea for the name while taking garbage out at work (glamorous I know!) but it was chilly and raining and I thought to myself, "I just love this hot chocolate weather." Hot Chocolate Weather? Love.

Over the next few days this blog will take a less generic look as I change and add more about the future of Hot Chocolate Weather!

Thank you for reading and have a lovely day!