Anniversary Goal

So I've been thinking a lot about what my next goal should be for Fanciful Faron. My first goal was pretty small, and it was to make 10-15 sales by Christmas- I've met that goal, then some.  Thank you to everyone has purchased one of my cards and kept my dream a live.  Now its time to come up with new goal, cause without one, what am I really working towards?   But I don't think I want to make this next goal something that can be simply checked off the list, I want it to really symbolize the growth and expansion of dream.  For some reason, in my head, it donned on me, my goal should mark my shop's first one year anniversary.  Don't know why I choose one year, but it just feels right to me.  I'm both happy and terrified to announce that in one year I will aim to do my first Craft Fair!

I'm super nervous already but it seems so fitting!  A couple weeks ago I came across a particular show I'm interested in participating in next year called the Renegade Craft Fair.  It seems like a lot of people and good vibes I would love to be around.  Whether or not I'm able to get into this particular craft fair or craft fair at all next year, the purpose of this goal is to get my business in a place where I am proud to display it in front of thousands of people.  This means I continue to work on my brand, connecting through social media, and of course- most important- creating cards and product that I am genuinely proud of.

The timing of this goal is perfect, it'll be around the one year anniversary of my shop, but since it's in the mid-late summer, it gives me plenty of time to really work and focus on getting when I get home from school.  In between now and a year from now I have so much I feel needs to get done, which means plenty of mini goals.  Just to name a couple:

1. Grow social media following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

2. Design business cards

3. Keep blog alive and well

4. Start getting people signed up for newsletter

5. Continue to grow in sales... DUH

6. Work on continuing to develop a killer brand

7. Continue to design and love what I'm doing

This is just a couple things that I see myself needing to work on and develop.  For me a year seems like such a long way away.  But I know that year will be on me before I know it and when it is, I'll be ready when it is.  I hope a lot of you who reading this and buying my cards will be along with me in the journey.  As much as I try, I know I can't do everything myself :)

XO,
Ensley

Happy One Month

Fanciful Faron is officially is one month old today and I think her first month has been terrific!  As of today she has had over 3,200 views, 150 favorites, and over 5 orders, not to mentions having a tiny following on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; and I a lot of it I have to thank my family and friends for supporting me, but also all of you who continue to be interested in what I'm putting out.  This is way more than I could have every imagine :)  Even today we had our first "first".  For the first time we got multiple orders in a single day which made today even better.  I know it's not much but it's definitely something.  Can't help but smile when I think about little shop and everything I wanna do for it!  Clearly there is still a long way to go as far as getting everything right and perfect but for the first month, this was far from shabby.  Just wanna say thank you to all of those who have taken a genuine interest in our little operation this early on.  It really means a lot!

xo Ensley

Shop Face Lift + New Camera

As many of you know, I'm always talking about messing with my shop and trying to bring it to its full potential, whether its trying multiple idea for a single card concept, or reworking my storefront to make sure it's buyer friendly.  So in the latest news of my shop's face lift, I'm happy to say that I finally have a quality camera that I will be putting to great use.  I'll be retaking photos in an effort to really enhance them and help my cards look their best.  The camera got is a Cannon Rebel T3 (to be specific), and I love it so far!  If your following my Instagram and Facebook page, you'd also know that I recently bought some colorful and corky stage props to use in these new product photos.  The new camera + staging props should really give my shop a more of whimsical vibe I've really been aiming for.  It'll take some time, probably a 2 weeks, to reshoot all the products in the store, but I think it's well worth it.   

I'm kinda anxious to just get them all up at once, but with everything else I have planned this week and my own gold-fish-like attention span, there's no way I could get everything done in, say, two days.  But, I give you my word that everything will be Cinderella-transformed by July 22nd- girl scouts honor.  

Plus with the new face lift of the store will come the release of the first round of holiday cards! YAY! You're gonna wanna stick around :) 

I'm realizing that getting things just right takes time, and the slower I take things the, better my overall outcome will be.  I care about this itty bitty shop too much to try to rush things and not be 100% happy with what I'm putting out in the world.  

Here's to giving 200%, 100% of the time. 

xo Ensley

Hello There!

Hi! Ensley here!  I thought I'd take a moment to introduce who I am, what I'm about, so we can be  properly acquainted.  Seeing as how it's the middle of the summer, I'm currently in the transition from being a college Freshman to a college Sophomore at Syracuse University, in the exciting state of New York.  I'm a honor student in the Communication Design program and I'm hoping to pursue a minor - in what? I'm not exactly too sure yet...

When I'm not at school I'm back home in my hometown of San Diego.  I have to admit, no matter how much I want to travel and experience all the world's treasures, San Diego will always be my heart.  There's just too much family, friends, and love here for it to be any way else.

I started this blog for a myriad of reasons.  One- I've always loved writing, and I think I'm quite good at it... at times.  Two- I can tell from this point on in my life there is going to be a lot of changes (call it a gut feeling).  I have a lot of personal goals and dreams, and I want to be able to share them, along with the little moments of my life that I just can't replace.  And third and finally-  to talk about my new adventures trying to become a (VERY) small business owner.  Within the last two weeks I've started my own shop on Etsy called Fanciful Faron where I sell funny and unique greeting cards.  It's formation stemmed out of my two passions- to earn my own buck and to design and create.  If your wondering where I came up with the name "Fanciful Faron" well... Faron is my middle name, pretty straightforward there, and Fanciful is another word for whimsical which has consistently been one of my favorite words.  To me it means being different, spunky, unique, and a little childish.  All qualities I think describe me two a tee.

I'm hoping this blog challenges me to step outside my comfort zone, to craft more, to do new things, and to become more organized (God knows I need to haha).  I hope to share all my loves- my family, my friends, my hobbies, my travels, and now my new (and still infantile) business.  There's a lot going on and I hope you're down for the ride.

xo Ensley