Marketing Blitz

I honestly have the best person that helps me with all my marketing and branding/logo stuff.
Nicola reads my mind and can see my visions without me even talking coherently enough to describe what I would like.

Here is a party/celebration poster I use for getting the word out.

Once a party is booked,  there are invitations we hand out for the parties hosted with us.

I love this poster that gives details about the business in general.
I try to put this up in schools and around down, in local stores and on any bulletin board I can find.

This was a postcard advertisement for the Handmade Holidays I put on at the Art Lab.

And this was one I really loved.
A Holiday card for my friends and families who have been to the lab and for my Facebook Friends.

Lovely Flowers

Thank you for all the kind words and love.

And the flowers.

I love flowers!!

I'm nervously excited for my new business to begin.

Classes start soon!!

Sewing Aprons

I have been doing lots of personal touches to the business space.
I wanted to sew all the aprons myself.
I have used old jeans and they worked out great.
I even had little labels made to sew on.

I think its the little things that show the love!!

Restless Raven Art Lab

Here is the space thus far!!
Bright, open and comfortable.

It feels like home!

Putting Away Supplies/Getting Organized

I have had a blast finding wholesalers and companies to work with.
I have had supplies come from all over North America.
I tried local as much as possible but some things have to be out-sourced.

I have made so many wonderful contacts and even a few new friends.
This process had been so meaningful.

The learning curve for opening a business has been huge but it has all gone pretty smoothly so far.
I am very organized and love to be efficient with time and money, but this venture has pushed my boundaries.
I must admit I've grown quite well so far.

I have run a couple beta-test classes to work out the kinks and I am happy with the progress.
I love the kids energy and finding that I am indeed cut out for this.
Phewf! I have been having nightmares of this being a huge flop!

I have gathered a huge selection of mediums to fill the art lab with.
The shelves are getting filled and the artsy feel is taking over.
It's so colourful.

I'm getting so nervous and excited to teach, learn, create and play.

I love books.
I love to collect books.
I have had so much fun finding books to fill the art lab's library/reference section.

I am in my glory!!

Logo

I worked with the most amazing friend who is so incredible at what she does.
She built my logo and brand to perfection.
I am so happy with all she has done.
I couldn't have ever done this without her.

I have the business cards and stickers made already and I love handing them out!!

I can't wait to show you the street sign we had made with this logo below.
Its huge and beautiful.

Next is the van decals.

Settin' Up A New Business

A couple months back our renters gave their notice after 4 years.
It was so sad to say goodbye.
I miss them terribly and the girls miss the only "brothers" they ever had.

But with change comes new adventures.
So I took a chance and decided to open a business.

It has been a lot of hard work.
No shortage of grunt labour and organizing.
Hubby has been incredible.
He painted the trailer on his only 2 days off, in crazy heat.
We have had to do a ton of landscaping, but i love that sort of stuff.
However all this on top of our regular life has been a bit challenging.
Lots of juggling time.
My A-Type personality doesn't allow me to let anything go.

I made a renegade day trip over to the mainland for an Ikea shop.
2 carts and a van filled to the top later I headed home.

Set up began soon after this.