what's in a name?

So I've been over my head in behind the scenes business decisions the last two weeks.  I have a to do list and deadlines that are fast approaching which forced me to sit down and get stressed out.  I figure I'll share some of that thought process, as cyclical as it is, with you.

I plan to apply to sell in art shows this summer.  I have two local shows that I have applications ready to be sent in, and was thinking about doing a show up in the Chicago area.  The show up north is near home and I've seen the kinds of crowds it draws.  It's an extremely intimidating show to think about but I've always thought that it is a place that I'd do well at.  I still do.  It would be an excellent opportunity to force myself to really work and get up to speed by August.  The other two local shows are in June and July so by the August I would have my booth down. 

Unfortunately this show requires by business license number in the application.  I plan to get this license and have only been going slowly on it because on it I need to decide if I want to file for a "Doing Business As" certificate.  The DBA is would allow me to open a checking account as Crymson Flower instead of just my legal name.  A DBA takes 3-4 weeks to get. 

This was a harder decision for me to make than I was anticipating. I love the idea of having Crymson Flower be me, even though for practical reasons I probably don't really  need it.  It would really only be valuable if someone were to write a check to Crymson Flower I could then cash that check.  But in reality if someone is writing me a check I would be there to tell them to write it out to me.  I also have a stronger Internet presence as Crymson verses my legal name, Amy McGovern.  This stems from my  natural tendencies to try to be kinda anonymous on the Internet.  But now that I am a business owner I think I need to have my name associated with my business.  I'm proud that I'm working on this business.  It's been a dream for a really long time and I want people to know that Amy McGovern is the person behind Crymson Flower. That there is in fact a person behind this business.  That is also important to me. 

So right now my decision is this.  I'm going to go by Amy McGovern as my business name legally for the paperwork.  I'll still use Crymson Flower as my banner and my Internet presence as I always have but I plan to also have my name more prominently visible.  My banner above now has Amy McGovern on it.  If next year I'm missing or feel the need to use Crymson Flower on the paperwork then I can add it on then.  I've also made the decision to wait on this particular Chicago area art fair.  I sill think I'll do well at this one but I think it's adding too much stress on my already large to do list.  I felt better when I admitted that to myself this morning.  I am looking for a Christmas show in the Chicago area to sell at.  That would give me more time and I'd be able to set up a Christmas tree full of flowers and beaded ornaments.  It would be amazing! 

That is my business plan as of right now.  Today I feel good about it.  Now onto more flowery goodnesses.  Here's my newest lily.  Off white petals tipped with dark purple seed beads.  The center is a small pop of red and blue faceted glass beads.  I wasn't sure about this flower.  When I put the beads together I thought it would be an ok flower, but when the petals came together I got very excited.  I think this one looks best paired with other flowers both beaded and fresh.

click here for purchase information

daffodils daffodils daffodils

I think of two things when I think of daffodils, spring and the movie Big Fish.  I'm a sucker for that movie and one of my favorite parts is the proposal in a field of daffodils.  I'm not normally that sappy of a person, but seriously who wouldn't want to be proposed to in a field of daffodils.  They aren't your normal go to flower, especially  not when romance is involved.  But they are lovely and happy and very inspiring when grouped all together.

I tried to recreate this affect, I wanted to take pictures of my beaded daffodils in a bouquet of fresh ones.  I think it would make an amazing bouquet.  Unfortunately, stores don't sell fresh bouquets of daffodils down here in Peoria like they do up in Chicago area.  I stopped by a local florist to see if they had any and was told they could order them for me but they don't carry them in stock because you can't pair a daffodil with other flowers.  I guess they don't combine as well.  I do see her point but then decided to break that rule. 
The following photos are me pairing my beaded daffodils with some orchids, daisies, and then daffodils solo.  How do you like to combine your daffodils?  Is it true, do they only go with other daffodils? 

purchase information on this golden daffodil

 

purchase information on orange daffodil

happy weekend

Maybe if we post enough pictures of pretty flowers of spring flowers mother nature will get jealous and start producing her own.  Or maybe if we think enough warm thoughts, the winds will take a cue and simmer down.  Maybe we can even make the snow they are calling for on Sunday go away. 

If not at least we can dream in photos, and have as many pretty flowers, that don't care what the weather is, around the house as possible.  The purple flower on the left is a sneak peak to what will be listed next week.  The yellow flower on the right can be found here.  Stay tuned b/c there will some other spring flowers posted next week as well.

I'm wishing everyone a lovely weekend.  We're headed up to Chicago area to see families and C is playing in his yearly gig with his buds. 

NOLA police Flower

A month ago I received my first commission piece.  I was super excited to hear that she wanted a flower for her boyfriend for their 3 year anniversary.  Her boyfriend works for the New Orleans Police Department and she requested that the flower have matching colors as their patch. 

I was grateful that she gave me some direction with what she was looking for.  She suggested orange outer petals with a touch of blue.  And green inner petals.  My biggest concern was getting the colors close.  One because every one's monitors are slightly different and two because any color w/ a bit of red in it can be hard to replicate in glass.  There are a million and one different shades of blue and green seed beads, but orange, red, purples, and pinks are harder to do. 
Once I got the colors figured out I had fun designing the flower.  I added heavy metal brass seed beads to the tips of the outer petals to keep the theme masculine.  At one point I had some pearl star beads in the center but decided it was too literal, and made the flower too busy.  Simple is smart, and simple is what I found out that works with this flower. 

 

 

I used primarily matte seed beads.  The blue is a transparent blue with a pearly finish that makes it almost opaque.  The metal brass beads accent the outer petals.  I chose a simple orange bead for the center.  The more sparkly brown and yellow beads I had originally picked out just didn't work.  At this stage I sent the customer an email to see what her thoughts were.  She loved it.  So I put on the finishing touches and laced up the petals for stability.  And had it in the mail within a day or two.

Here's the picture I received to show how closely I'd gotten the colors.  I'm really happy with it.  And from what I hear the customer and the boyfriend (now fiancé) are happy too.   Congrats!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

 

It's that holiday.  The one we all know about, and celebrated every year for the first 10 years of our life or until the 6th grade when the class room finally gave up the V-day parties.  Some people love it, others dispise it.  It really is what it is. 

 

To me I think it's kinda fun.  An excuse to buy lobster and steak and cook a surf and turf meal for the hubby.  But this was the first year in ages that we actually did something.  And really the meal was yesterday.  In a little bit I'll celebrate w/ my son at his daycare with all his sugar high buddies.  To me Valentine's is just an excuse, a little nudge to tell your someone that  you love them.  Maybe a little nudge to tell yourself how much you love you.  There's nothing wrong with treating yourself.  In fact that might be more fun b/c at least you know you're going to love what you get. 

 

Here's a few of my most Valentiney gift ideas. 

 

Teal Wine Bottle Pendant

 



 Red Red Rose

 

 Speckled Pink Lily

 

 Fuchsia Lily

 





Red Wine Glass charms

spring in flower form

What's there really to say about this flower other than it's bright, and happy, and very spring like. It looks fabulous with a bouquet of roses or baby's breath but imagine how wondrous this flower would look in a bouquet of daffodils.
I'm loving this listing something every day thing.  It's fun to just make it happen.  Exciting things are going on.  I just received my box of boxes so now I can list some more delicate wine charms in the shop soon.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny so that will be a photography day.  I have my first commission I'm super excited about and I'll work on that this weekend.  And somewhere in the next week I need to sew the binding on that quilt.  Lots to do and I'm loving all of it.  Hope everyone else out there is enjoying their weeks.