Getting Ready for a Show

The countdown is on! The other half of Amra Designs and I are participating in our first "real" craft show. Eek! I'm so excited and anxious. It's going to be the 3 days before Valentines Day, in a mall back in my hometown. It should be a good turn out don't you think? I mean, 3 days before Valentines Day! Woo hoo!

Romantic, Vintage Inspired Earrings

But the reality is setting in. Now I really have to get to work! There's the actual inventory, set up and display, how are we going to take payments, what kind of promotional material are we going to give out {that won't be thrown away as soon as they get home or lost in the bottom of a purse}, how are we going to package our items, and so on! There is more to be thought of than just, "Here's my stuff, you buy it now." But, this has been a thrilling process so far! Like I said earlier, I'm excited! :-D I think we have most of it under control. {Ask me again a week before and my answer might be different} Building inventory is easy, that's the fun part, the reason I'm doing this all. My partner in crime is an Interior Designer so I'm kinda leaving the display to her. As far as taking credit cards, Pay-Pal has a "Virtual Terminal" that allows you to accept payments on the go.

Playing around with display options

Now the hard part, marketing. It's though thinking of {cost} effective ways to promote you business that will stand out in a crowd. We have thought of magnets, flyers, pinwheels, business cards {of course}, and a variety of other ideas that we tossed around for hours. But not much says "memorable." Although, I like the ideas of little pinwheels with our info on the "petals." You'd remember that, right?!? Oh, I guess we'll be brain storming over that one for a while.

I'd love to hear from those of you that have done shows and venues! Have any tips, tricks, suggestions? Send 'em my way! ;) And, for those who haven't, I'll try to give you an inside look at how {prep for} our first show goes.

Later!
~Rachel

Some Christmas Gifts

I just wanted to share some of the Christmas gifts I have created for loved ones.

For a sweet lady from Church

My mother-in-law, all the grandkids

For my mother, best part about this? The outer, long necklace can be taken off for different looks. 

For a friend of mine, her daughters' names

For my wonderful Grandmother

Earrings to match

Howling at the Moon

Just wanted to share a new treasury I put together. I really think wolves are just beautiful. There is something mystic and magical about them. Please check out these great items and let me know what you think!

Welcome to my little corner of the world

Ok so here goes.... I'm giving this blog thing a whirl!

I guess I'll start by letting you know a little about me. My name is Rachel and I am a stay at home mom of 2 little ones. I have a daughter that is 3 and a son that is 2. Needless to say, it can get a little crazy around here some days! I'm working on being the best mom, wife, entrepreneur, friend I can be, which I believe is a never ending job. You never reach "best mom" status or "greatest wife EVER!" It's a work in progress, a journey.

I also have started a jewelry company with one of my best friends. We are Amra Designs. The story behind the name? Well, it's pretty simple and nothing elaborate. I would love to tell you it's a name passed down from ancestors and means "goddess of all things beautiful" but it's not. It's Ashley Marie and Rachel Ann- AMRA. :)    We began just a few months ago and I think we are progressing well. Again, a work in progress. You can find us on Etsy. Go ahead, check it out ;)

I would love to bring all who care to read this, crafts to do with kids, projects for around the house, yummy recipes, fashion and beauty topics,and updates on life, being a mom, and whats going on with Amra Designs.  So, I hope to talk to you soon with a more interesting post! Later!

Me and Ashley :)