When I started Scarlet Elfcup two years ago, I dived headlong into it not knowing one thing about doll making or running an online creative business. The only thing I knew was that I had the chance to try something absolutely new and different from anything I've ever done or dreamed of doing. And so, I propelled forward and took a leap of faith with the following quote by Tim Ferris inspiring me:
"Conditions are never perfect. 'Someday' is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it's important to you and you want to do it 'eventually', just do it and correct the course along the way."
So, began the journey.
It has been an incredible journey. But, like all journeys, the incredible is defined as much by the beautiful moments as it is by the hard and challenging times. Running an online creative business takes a whole lot of heart and courage. If I had asked myself the question, "What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs, doll makers or fiber artists out there?", I wouldn't be here having the time of my life. That's a question I'm happy I didn't ask myself when I started this journey.
Running an online creative business is an art...the art of the balancing act...a skill I've never been able to achieve. Nonetheless, it's worth a try over and over again. Living, learning and keeping up with the times is only a small part of what it takes to thrive in this world filled with creative geniuses.
Starting and maintaining a creative business is hard work. It takes:
- Working evenings and weekends: There isn't enough time in a day to accomplish or create everything I'm dreaming about. In Scarlet Elfcup creations as well as anything I've ever done in my past life, I enjoy making things that I've never tried before or tweaking existing things into perfection. Hence, as you can imagine, each project brings an entirely different pattern or design to be dreamt up and created. Copious amounts of time are put into designing and creating patterns, organizing photo shoots, gathering thoughts for the blog posts, researching different materials, tools and resources, learning new skills and techniques, writing meaningful blog posts with clear intentions.
- Staying up to date: I try to keep track of my favorite blogs and fiber artists and interact with readers and followers on my own blog and social media sites and respond on a daily basis. I also make it a point to go through emails and respond to those who have contacted me for any form of comments or inquiries. Staying up to date, without over-running on 'making' time requires a whole lot of discipline and time management. It's impossible to keep up with all of my favorite blogs and fiber artists without eating into my own time to make and create.
- Maintaining social media interaction: I am a pretty private person. You're hard pressed to find my face anywhere on the internet. In my personal life, I don't use social media. I check email sparingly. And I'm on the phone even less. I'm a here and now 'present-right-before-you' kind of person. So, when I started Scarlet Elfcup, I was forced to 'get with the times'...enter the world of Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and much more. The technical aspects of blogging and dealing with an online world that is ever-changing challenges and inspires me. I'm still learning the ins and outs of social media. I'll continue to study other blogs, ask questions and try out things for myself. And it'll all lead me to do the thing that inspired me to start Scarlet Elfcup in the first place...try something different, learn something new.
This leads me to today's "live and learn" moment...my exploration into the world of Tumblr...the online photo blogging place. So, if you're there...help Scarlet Elfcup through it. If you're not, and you're interested in trying something new, then, let's go together and learn it together.
Follow Scarlet Elfcup on Tumblr...just for the fun of it...or for the chance to win today's giveaway...
A set of 3 Rainbabies
The Rainbaby was Scarlet Elfcup's very first and original creation. Scarlet Elfcup's Rainbaby was inspired by California's drought. They were called the Rainbabies in Hibernation.
At the time that they were created, California had been in severe drought for several years and there had been little to no snow on many California mountains. Those of us who live here felt it in the air. So, it was no wonder that rain was on my mind a lot and therefore I wanted to bring the whimsical idea of rain into the world...it was perhaps just a piece of hope...a dream, a wish for water from the heavens.
These Rainbabies are amongst hundreds and thousands of Rainbabies still in hibernation...in a deep deep slumber they slept. The question was, "When will they rise and shine to shower California with much needed water?" Sweet little slumbering ones, they were.
Well, today, we can all sigh a brief sigh of relief that the rains finally came to California. This year was the first year in many long years that California enjoyed a most wonderful gift from nature...rain! And so, the Rainbabies finally stirred and graced us with their waking sleepyheads. As such, I felt that I really wanted to make some of these sweet babies again. The last time my fingers enjoyed the sweetness of their tiny and super soft bodies was back in early 2014. It is time they came back into the world.
These precious palm-sized (3.5") Rainbabies are handmade from pre-washed, re-purposed, 100% cashmere and stuffed with clean carded wool. Their doll skin is made with 100% cotton jersey. Their facial features are made of 100% cotton embroidery floss. They come in 100% cotton muslin bags hand embroidered by me with a design that I created and drew myself...the word 'baby' with the Rainbaby emblem.
The Rainbabies are perfect for baby shower favors. They can be given to a special someone as a gift or gift tag attached to a gift box.
The Rainbaby can also be given to a loved one to carry around in the pocket. Or they can be hung as an ornament for any holiday, any time of the year.
If you are interested in entering your name into the drawing to take these Rainbabies home for FREE simply follow Scarlet Elfcup on Tumblr, like the blog post and reblog the post.
Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM (PST). The winner will be notified via the Scarlet Elfcup blog.