How Much Do I Really Want It?

So like everyone else I want my online shops, AdoreByNat and Natsupplies to run successfully. Who wouldn't right? Successfuly meaning that I don't have to go back to a day job. Even though I enjoy working as an HR Generalist I would rather do cardmaking.

But really, how much do I really want it? Often times I envy those who have successful shops, those who made many and many sales. Reading their stories on how they achive their dreams on Quit Your Day Job and/ or their blogs inspire me. I got to admit though, inspiration is not enough if it's not followed by determination and action.

Admitedly I kept saying to myself: "I want to be like that one day and hopefully that day is soon." But I think it's about enough to say that to myself. Really, do I really want it?

I need a kick in a you know what. Being successful means working harder. It means less sleeping time. 6 hours should be enough instead of 8. That way, I will have 2 extra hours to make cards.

So, no more yupping but more action. Starting with tonight, I need to finish reading my 'new' sewing machine manual (bought from a good friend about 2 years ago), convo her as I have a question to ask and put the machine to work tomorrow. This machine is going to be my good friend replacing the little missy that I left in Indonesia (see her here).

More actions to plan now on my agenda.

Out There Playing

If you've been following my blog then you know that we just moved back to Canada. So many belongings that we had to leave behind in Indonesia including some of Ethan's toys.

Being in Toronto with no source of stable income yet, we have to be careful in our spending. We try not to spend too much in buying toys for Ethan.

I love taking Ethan out and finding places where he can play. I want to slowly introduce him to other toddlers and improve his social skills. At the same time, he can play with 'new' toys.


Above is a picture I took at Carters OskKosh outlet at Canada Outlet Niagara Falls (read here). Yesterday, I took Ethan to Indigo (below). While he's having a good time playing, I enjoy reading magazines. What a win-win situation.

By the time we had to leave, Ethan did not want to leave the trains behind. A kind Indigo employee who was on the spot told me that he could bring one of them home as they will replacing with new toys soon. How lucky he was :-)

Trip to Niagara Falls

We went to Niagara Falls on Saturday with a rental car. The weather in Toronto area had been great sunny days for the last days. But on the day of our trip, it rained.

Good thing about the rain in Toronto compared to West Coast is that it would stop after a few hours while in Vancouver, it could rain from morning to night and to the next morning continuously. I remember that when we lived in Vancouver, when the rain came we had to change the whole plan instead of postponing it. It was unlikely that the rain would stop in a few hours.

To wait the rain to stop, we went to Canada One Factory Outlet. Carters OshKosh outlet just opened last Saturday and they gave out additional 20% off. Mexx was having 50% off. We could not help but buying a few clothes for Ethan. Good for us for not shopping for ourselves.


By the time we finished shopping, the rain stopped. It was not sunny but I found it as a perfect weather after all: cool instead of hot sunny day.


This is my 2nd trip to Niagara Falls. The first one was in September 2004 when it was just the two of us, hubby and I.

Don't Undervalue Your Work

How much should a handmade card worth?

Recently my Etsygreetingsteam discussed about pricing our cards. There are so many competitions out there and all of us do want to make sales. Unfortunately, some of us are willing to sell their cards so cheap. I'm guilty for one.

But do we really feel satisfied when we makes sales ? Do we honestly feel that it should worth more than that?

Today, as a family, we took a stroll of Toronto Downtown underground simply to familiarize ourselves with the area. I could not help but to stop at this stationery shop, curious to see the cards that they carry. And when I saw the prices, I was shocked. It ranges from CAD$6.75 and up all the way to CAD$10.00. Gosh! I feel that my cards are worthless. I asked my husband to take a look at the cards and told him about the prices. I asked how he would compare them to my cards. Without hesitation he said, "of course yours are much better. No doubt about it!" *relief* I felt much better.

I know that deep down in my heart that I undervalue my works. Many people have told me that they are worth over $4 each and yet I was too afraid to increase my price.

I look at the details of my cards and how much time I spend on every card, I feel they are worth than $3.25. Each is one of the kind. Each is made with love.


So here is my plan. I need to get rid of my cards inventory because they are in Indonesia and I'm here in Canada. I may have them on sale. In the meantime, starting next week I'll start making new cards and build my inventory here. Once I'm ready, I'll make a switch and sell the cards that I have with me. I'll increase my price. It has been long overdue. We'll see whether it's going to hurt my sales or not at that time.

Sounds like a good plan?

Life Adjustment

So I've been here back in Canada for 2 weeks and am still going through life adjustment. It's getting better overall. I love being able to regain my freedom and independence even though I have to do everything on my own.

The long journey from Indonesia and the day-to-day activities taking care of my 18 months son keep me rather busy. I'm glad that Ethan is slowly back to his routines, that makes both of our lives easier. The down side is that I have a sore throat for almost a week and it's not going away. I may catch a cold too. *sigh*

All 6 luggages were unpacked by the 2nd day I arrived in Toronto. Everything, except my cardmaking/ scrapbooking supplies, are organized and put into place. This means, I can't make cards just yet. My hubby suggested to take it slowly. I concurred.

In the meantime both of my Etsy shops are open. They are stocked with items which are mailed from Indonesia. I had organized and labeled every item prior leaving Indonesia, making it easier for my employee over there to pack orders. But honestly, if I could have those stuff with me here, that make my life much easier.

Nature Closes to Home

This was what I missed when I was in Indonesia: seeing nature so close to home. These birds come by every morning at my parents' backyard.


Ethan's grandparents brought him to a nearby lake to see ducks while I was at home busy packing for our next day flight to Toronto.

Nat Met Vink

Over a year ago, VinK of vink.etsy.com and Millionminds.etsy.com bought a card from me (above), right after I moved to Indonesia, where she lives. She said she's been eyeing my cards :-) for a while but finally bought a card when I offered local shipping.

We then became good friends and talked a lot through convos and e-mails. It's strange, but we never called each other or met up until....a day before my departure to Canada. A year went by so fast that we could not believe that we did not have the time to meet up. Perhaps, it's because we're so busy with our own day-to-day life. I felt guilty though :-( and wish that I saw her in person a little bit more.

But as she said, although we don't 'see' each other that much, we have shared a lot of stuff that develops a good friendship. Friends that meet up in person may not have this good relationship that we have. I concurred.


But really! I wish I saw her more than once in a year knowing that we lived in the same town.

Flower Tags

I'm in Vancouver, BC...Canada!

But sadly, not much time to blogging for now as I'm occupied with little one as we are both trying
to adjust with the time difference, weather and environment in general. All of these causes adjustment to Ethan's routine. The journey is not ended just yet. We'll be leaving to Toronto on early Sunday morning to be reunited with my DH.

In the meantime, hope you enjoy my flowery tags. The two tags above were gifts mailed to my custom order client in the US along with her bookmarks and cards.

These tags below were made as I didn't want to waste even a tiny scrap paper.


I hope I can go back to cardmaking once I settle down and hopefully...it's soon.