Challenges of mobile working

This month has been a lesson to me in how working and travelling may not always be the most easiest combination.  One of the reasons that I wanted to set up my own business or work for myself in some way was so that we could continue our travels in some shape or form – initially in small trips here and there, later living in different countries abroad.  I had a vision in my head of sitting by my little camper with some gorgeous scenery to look whilst working away in between some relaxation.

The reality has been slightly different and somewhat of a rude awakening.  Yes working for myself doing something that is fairly portable means I can travel down to where I used to live to visit people or accompany Phillip (aka colobus yeti photography) on his photography work trips and see beautiful places like Saltwick Bay in the main photo above.

On the other hand though I have realised finding the time to do work whilst travelling is not always easy and found myself doing bits at 10 pm because it is the only time I have had free.  Having an internet signal that is usable has proved difficult time and time again in terms of being able to carry out any work on my Etsy shop or keep up to date with all the social media marketing.  I still also have to work out how to take all my stock, packaging, buttons, materials and  other paraphernalia with me on my travels.

This does not deter me though as it once would have.  These are all part of the learning curve and problems to be solved rather than to be agonised over.  Here’s to more travels!

 

And I’m back!

I haven’t been on holiday (sadly) or become bored of my little blog though.  My shop Mr B’s Button Jamboree lives on the wonderful home for crafters that is Etsy.  Starting in January, they ran a 4 week programme aimed at encouraging people to open shops or improve existing ones called Etsy Resolution 2016.  I signed myself up and put everything else on the back burner (including my blog) to focus on the programme.

It has been an interesting 4 weeks where I have learnt much about how to improve my use of Etsy and hopefully make a success of Mr B’s Button Jamboree.  I have written pages of notes (I am such a note writing fan!), found out things that I never knew before and generally discovered that having a successful shop on Etsy requires much more than making products, taking a photo or two and copying/tweaking the same listing over and over again.  I have spent hours re-tagging and rewording each individual listing as well as re-doing all my photos.

I do think it has been worth it.  My shop looks much more welcoming, cohesive and professional.  Still the odd thing to finish off and I have already seen an increase in people viewing and favouriting my shop…hopefully this will soon translate into more sales!  Please take a look and send me your thoughts 🙂