WHEN DO YOU SAY NO......

The 20th of december, sorry to late, I will no more orders - the last 3 days for Christmas is for myself.

Hi Yvonne the way I knew you, you can't say no. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks for all the help the past year. Hugs Marie

1 comment

by castelyn 21 Dec 2011

Marie, thanks so much dear, and too you to. hugs and love Yvonne

Yvonne, you know what you can and can't do and to get the time you need with your family. I have been in bed mostly for the last month - with a bad back - but it seems to get some better over the weekend - then a CUTE family member pushed some buttons and got me some orders - she must have known that we were struggling or something - well the orders did come in and I have to say - from Saturday until today - I have most of them done and about ready to go to the PO - I had a some really strange muscle spasims in the inside of my theigh this morning and really had to nurse that - much longer than I had wanted for this day of being busy - the 3 orders that I do have to finish - have said that they are not in a hurry and that I don't need to rush - so I will do them - as I can. So soon - I will be off to the Post Office and get these orders out to the CUTE family or those that they want them sent to. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Had a big delivery today for the parcelservice. 3 more lamps this evening (but 2 are already stitched; just the sewing) and then until thursday 4more here in the area.
Maybe next year I put the closeline at the 10th of december?
Greetings, Bettina

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1 comment

by shirlener88 20 Dec 2011

Very lovely work Bettina.

Thanks for all the feed back.

For those that wanted to know what I do.
It started as a hobby, but has turned out as a small business now. Last year this time I bought my 2nd Machine. So when I have large orders I can have both running. I do alot of things during the year that I enjoy doing, keep a stock of baby things and other ietms so that the customers can see what I do. They more than not, will see something that they like and purchase it as well. At the moment I don't have any stock left.
Also then do digitising as well as lots of other crafts.
After Christmas I normally will have a rush for things to be done for the children starting school in January. I then also keep zipper bags, which I will be making after Christmas. For stationery bags and little money purses. I leave them open so that I can still do the embroidery on it and just have to stitch it closed.
Well things are looking alot better today.
Gotten most of my orders out of the way.

Merry Christmas to you all.
And *4all

Hugs Yvonne

Prioritize, Prioritize; say NO more! Do not spoil the precious memories of "Christmas" by stressing about things needing to get done!
Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holidays!
Hugs,
Angel

Wow! I want to talk to you girl! OK to pm you after the holidays?

1 comment

by castelyn 20 Dec 2011

That will be fine. Hugs yvonne

It's getting too close to be doing for others as this late date - it's bad enough all of us will have a bunch of family things still to be done. Try some of the suggestions made by others already. And now it's time for you to relax and enjoy the season (it won't come around for another yr. and you'll have missed what you wanted to get done!)

It is time for you to relax and enjoy th season an your family. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! Christmas is for family and close fiends and celebrating the birth of our savior! Relax while you can! The cookng and cleaning up afterward is still awaiting! I am not ready and most likely wont be until Christmas has come and gone. I had/have too many Birhdays this month! -----Son, DIL, lifetime best friend, a wonderful friend whose kids I helped raise yrs ago, my granddaughter, and my cousin's (like a sister) wedding anniversary and my DIL's liftime bes friend. December is a full month around my house! Oh, and I forgot, my Birthday is the day after Christmas will be my only gift. I think I want a sour cream pound cake and I am the family "cook"!! I am going to let everyone know tonight that I am taking a vacation from cooking and babysitting until after Christmas. I have already fixed Christmas Lunch and did not even get to go! Long Story!!!!!!! I sent the food with my son an DIL and crawled back in bed and stayed all day! They had an early Christmas at my DIL's oldest daughter's home on the 11th. She had other plans with her hubby's famly for Christmas AFTER he gets off of work that day.

It is time to relax and try to enjoy!

Only now I realized your new profile. I found difficult to find.
Kisses in your heart.

1 comment

by castelyn 20 Dec 2011

Glad you found it. Hugs Yvonne

You all sound so busy. I'd like to know more about how your businesses work. Over the years I've tried all ways of selling my handwork and much prefer to have stock ready-priced and hope for the best, than take orders or worse still commissions as I've normally moved on to something else and would have my machines set up differently. I know it's not very business like, but I like to please myself what I make. Am I alone?

1 comment

by nama2 19 Dec 2011

No, that is how I run my little side business. I like to do the things I like when I want. Sometimes when taking orders it takes me a little longer to finish them just because I am not sure if they will like the finished project

Oh Bliss, I retired last year. and I am so chilled this Christmas, I feel for you all I dont know what it is that you do. But love and hugs, and make some time for you. xx Pam.

I said to myself that I will have to finish my work on wednesday to be able to make my christmas presents to my familly !!
But I can see that I won't be ready !!
In the same time it is a busy time for our business, isn't it ??
It won't be so busy after !!
The best thing would be to make ourself a planning and stick to it.
I know easier to say that put in practice !?
Good luck Yvonne

I guess this is why I don't do embroidery as a business. The customers would drive me nuts with last minute demands like this. I think setting a deadline and offering enticements like a discount is the way to go. I think most people understand and will comply if you make your policy known upfront and well in advance, and then don't put you in a position where you just have to say no.

last few items to finish tomorrow
I have had 3 Phonecalls today for more orders..
I have had to say sorry but no.
I tried a different tactic this year..
I put all my prices up in October,, then offered
a discount for orders received in November.. back to higher prices in December..I am about 5 days behind on paperwork.. but already I have taken about half as much more then I did last November/December.. I am amazed that people are easily prepared to may more this time of year :-)

im sure this is how the big stores work here in the UK

Big hugs from London
Maria xx

1 comment

by ansalu 19 Dec 2011

Maria what a fantastic plan. Will do it this way next year ;o)
Have to go back to work...
Greetings, Bettina

December 10th was my cut-off. This year, I told folks that if all of their holiday stitchery needs were met by Thanksgiving (this meant that I had to have it in hand as an order before Nov 23), I would give a discount. It worked. Anything coming in after that had a last delivery date of Dec 10. This year I had time to do stuff for myself.

Yvonne you have to say NO.
I closed the orderline on the 15th and still sitting here stitching and sewing lamps. I have to hurry cause I wanna bring all to the parcelservice tomorrow and then I have a few to do here for people in the area.
Last year I was on the road on christmas-afternoon with the last lamps :o( This should not happen again!
Keep strong with your orderstop. People know 365days long when they need their presents ;o)
Greetings, Bettina