Am I too busy?

Being a small businesses owner, mom of three, and wife, who is also involved in my kids' school, a member of the local art council, weekly church volunteer, about to be soccer coach, friend, assistant, sister, daughter, daughter in law, aunt and all around hustler, also whatever other title you would like to give me (please exclude profanity lol), is told she is too busy.  What do you do?  How does that make you feel?  I am sure many women can relate.  How do you know if you are too busy? 

Well, I have thought a lot about this lately.  Am I spending too much time on my business, too little time on myself, too little time with my kids, too little time with my husband, too much time with my community?  How do I know?  How do I know for sure?  And I came up with these things.  Am I happy?  Is my hustle outdoing my growth?  Is my family happy?  Yep, nope, yep!

I don't just enjoy my family and love them, I live for them.  They are my everything, but I am also pretty pleased with who I have grown up to be.  I feel like I am a pretty well put together person.  I have an opinion, that I can express.  I have compassion for others.  I give to those in need.  I pursue my goals (of course my jeans size could be smaller, but we can't be perfect huh? ;-)  All in all, I am happy. 

My business is growing.  I actually pulled together some statistics and my small company has grown about 8 fold in the last year.  That is super exciting!  It allows me to stay at home with my kids and be the mom to them that I want to be.  But, it does take work and lots of it.  It take lots of coffee (sometimes wine) and late nights.  And I am okay with that.

And as far as my family, I simply asked them.  And a mom can always tell who is being honest.  My annual progress report, if you will.  Am I a good mom?  Are you happy?  Do you know I love you?  What is something fun we can do together?  As long as I feel like they are happy and I know I am doing the best I can, then that's okay.  

It is hard to be a woman.  Society tells you that you need to be thin, but it's okay to be a little "curvy".  That you need to be successful and live your dreams, but spend every waking moment with your family.  You need to be polite and quiet, but make sure that you speak up and don't let anyone take advantage of you.  You will never be able to live up to society's standards as a woman or a mom. Well, screw that.  I am proud of myself.  I am going to make myself happy, love my family and do what is best for us.  It may not work for everyone and I may be tired and busy.  But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Here is to you and your dreams!  Cheers!  (It's a wine night, not coffee)

Local Artisan: Mary Avelis

Mary Avelis is an extraordinary local crafter.  Her niche is sewing and as a customer, I can say, she does it well.  A creative of beautiful pieces such as eye masks, totes, accessory bags, wristlets and pillows, Mary is the owner of Li'l Fox Designs.  I talked to Mary about what it is like to be an Etsy shop owner and why she loves sewing. 

 

Mary grew up in Galveston, Indiana, a small town in North Central Indiana.  A newly wed, she is recently also a new homeowner.  What time she is not spending on her craft and business, her husband and her are remodeling their home.  She also trains as a boxer.  She has a step-daughter, Lauren, who has also grown to love crafting.  And Mary teaches her the ends and outs of owning a small business.

 

How long have you been sewing?

 

Let me get the calculator! 18 years!!  Doesn’t seem like that long, but I fell like it has been longer.

 

 

Who taught you to sew?

 

I learned to sew while I was taking Home Economics in High School. Mrs. Chambers, was a great teacher, that explained everything so easily! She not only loved what she did, but was very talented as well. My mother and both grandmothers were around to help with any questions, I might have had after High School. My mother was always sewing. She made Easter dresses for my younger sister and I, as well as herself. My grandmothers were always mailing clothes for my sister and I along with matching dresses for out Cabbage Patch Dolls.

 

 

Why do you enjoy sewing as your craft?

 

It is a stress reliever for me!  I can take out my frustrations on a piece of scrap fabric, either with the seam rippers, scissors, or with my rotary cutter. Its my alternative to shooting a gun or taking things out in the boxing ring, which I still do.

 

 

How do you stay with the trends?

 

I struggle with trends and what is in the NOW. I follow a few other businesses on Instagram, and read a few blogs of Fashionistas.  I love to visit Pantone.com and Polyvore.

 

 

What do you use for inspiration?

 

Who doesn’t use Pinterest?  Some of my inspiration really comes from custom orders. They are one of my favorite things to do.  I change things up and make it my own.  Then it inspires new additions to what I create.

 

 

What are some things you do to keep your shop thriving?

I like to create things that help others, to accessorize life.  Really it is all about trial and error.  I have had a few things, that have flopped horribly.

 

 

It is a busy life as a small business owner.  What are some tips you have to balance home life and work life?

 

I am still trying to balance everything. I still work full time, other than my sewing business. I have recently bought a house (built in 1900, needs some love and care). Got married in December to my best friend, that I have worked with for 9 years. We plan to start a family this winter.

I do get a little frazzled, but work well with the chaos. Throw in some yoga, some leisure sewing, and a long hot bath. Let the balancing commence!

 

 

Where would you like to see your business in 5 years?

 

Here and there, over there and over there. Who’s to say where I will be. Everyone wants to be successful, and make a million dollars.  I want to have a business that can sustain itself, and let me be free to keep creating what I love and share it with others.  Purses for women on the go, accessories and supplies for other artisans and crafters.

 

 

What made you decide to open your own business?

 

It started with making small alterations to their apparel and accessories. I started making purses and handbags for myself. Friends and coworkers noticed them, and wanted one of their own too. I loved making things for others.

 

 

What advice can you give to those just starting their own business?

 

It is not an over night thing. It takes work and time. Believe in yourself and what you do.

 

 

Where can we find you on social media?

 

On Twitter @lilfoxdesigns

On Facebook @ www.facebook.com/lilfoxdesigns

On Etsy @ Lil Fox Designs

 

And I plan to have my own website set up in 2016.

 

 

Pantone Color Chart for Fall 2015

Check out the beautiful colors for this Fall! 

Visit My Three Blessings Boutique!

Fall Festival

Fall Festival by melissa-hedge featuring a western shirt

American Eagle Outfitters western shirt
ae.com

Paige Denim jeans
$120 - mytheresa.com

Steve Madden ankle booties
stevemadden.com

Chan Luu bracelet
blueandcream.com

Ray-Ban sunglasses
net-a-porter.com

Brown Leather Boho Handbag / Boho Chic Brown by RusticMoon13
etsy.com

Tie Dyed Infinity Scarf Circle Scarf Rayon by my3blessingsboutique
etsy.com

4 Ways to Wear an Infinity Scarf

The scarf may seem like an accessory that is limited to the cooler months, but it is indeed not.  Below are 4 different ways to wear a cicular, infinty scarf during all 4 seasons.

First, is the traditional double wrapped.  This can be paired with a tank and shorts, to give off that Bohemian vibe that everyone is trying to create.

Second, is to tie a knot in it.  This would replace a necklace and compliments a maxi dress perfectly.

Next, is somewhat like the first.  Simply double it, but pull one of the loops further down than the other.  This style lengthens your body and matches well when wearing capris or midlength skirts that can cause your shape to look shorter.

And last, but definitely not least, is my favorite styling tip for the infinity scarf.  The kimono.  Put one arm through the scarf, drape it around your back and put the other one through.   Wearing it draped like this is a great cover up for a tank top on cooler nights or to keep the sun off.

All of these scarves and more are available on our website, My Three Blessings Boutique

Please look for our upcoming posts, featuring artists from around the Indianapolis area!

All photography done by local Indianapolis photographer, Summer Kegeris.  You can check out her work at Images by Summer K

How Did This Start?

At the beginning of 2014 and shortly after we welcomed our 3rd daughter, Violet, into the world, I was heartbroken.  Heartbroken, because I had to leave my baby again and head back into the world of Corporate America to help provide for our family.  I kept expressing to my husband that I wish I could find a way to control what hours I worked and still make a decent living.  I was missing soccer games, performances and most importantly, time.

 One evening, my daughters and I decided that we were going to make tie dye t-shirts.  After a few hours and a big, fun mess we washed out our shirts and I was amazed by what we just created.  I posted the pictures of the things I did on Facebook and people were asking me to make them things!  A spark went off!   I have always been creative.  I love to make something out of nothing and to mix colors together.  I was always the one friends would call to decorate for parties or help to pick out wedding decorations.  I have an eye for beautiful, different things and am pretty handy with tools and paint.  This was one of the most entertaining things I had ever done and now people wanted to buy it! Well, why not open a shop and sell them!  So.... I DID! 

I have also always been into music festivals and craft shows as well (as a customer), so I looked into setting up a tent and getting my name out there.  Listening to music and meeting people face to face, it doesn't get much better.  My background in sales really helped me get my business off of the ground and to keep thriving.  Thanks, Corporate America for that!

Now, I set my own hours, go to all of my girl's soccer games and get to have dinner with my family every night!  I hope this inspires you to do whatever it is that you dream of.  And know that if you have that dream in your heart and some gumption, anything is possible! 

Check out my Etsy Shop at mythreeblessingsboutique.etsy.com  What more of a fitting name for a shop that allows me to stay at home with my three blessings!

Summertime

Summer.  A time of hot weather, short shorts, poolside drinks with friends, cookouts, volleyball, drives with the windows down, and camping.  Beautiful summer.  Well, as a mom, I have traded in most of those things for other things.  Crazy, busy summer.  As time goes by and inevitably,  I get older, my perspectives change.  My thoughts change.  My thanks change.  Some may look at my days of summer and think it is the most boring thing in the world.  Who would want to trade in the poolside drinks with friends and running around doing what you want, when you want?  Well...I do.  I love it.  In life, I have found that my true happiness comes when making others happy.  It comes when I see my little ones running around screaming,  begging for just 5 more minutes of fun.  Today, I watched them playing in the sun, having juice boxes "poolside" with friends, playing an impromptu game of soccer in the backyard, eating hotdogs for lunch, driving to the park with their hands stretched out the sunroof, and then finally camping out on a pallet in the living room.  And at the end of the day they say, "Thanks, Mom!  We had so much fun today!"  Summer.  Beautiful summer.