Big Dot Art @mohangayatri - Tumblr Blog

My first Etsy order, ready to ship

First Week On Etsy

I opened my Etsy shop last Sunday after much contemplation over the last year. I'd actually created my account and named my shop last year at around this time, but I'd gotten discouraged and abandoned the project. I doubted my ability to maintain a steady stream of fresh work to list on my shop website, meet customer expectations (assuming I made sales), etc.

Over Christmas last year (2014), I created a set of two coasters for a very good friend at work. We help each other through rough times and I really wanted to show how much her support means to me, but no store-bought gift seemed to convey that. So my hand-drawn coasters it was. I've also gifted coasters to a couple of friends for birthdays before and always heard good things, so this time I just thought... why not? I'm always afraid that I don't have "my unique thing" to sell, but maybe this is it. It may not be a completely new, innovative idea, but they're my drawings and it's my idea to turn them into coasters, so I should at least try.

I've made two sales so far, albeit from friends and family, but they've kept me going and on my toes. I didn't really think about what I'd have to do if I did make a sale because that seemed like such a far fetched thought. So when I received my first order, I panicked. I had no idea what to do next. How do I ship? Do I contact the buyer? How will I finish the set of four coasters to complete the order on time? But it's all good, the world didn't end, and my order is now ready to ship tomorrow!

So maybe in a way it was good I didn't think through every single step, because that surely would have discouraged me again. I'm excited to see what's next...

Check out my shop!

#etsy

My Introduction to Uppercase

A friend introduced me to Uppercase magazine a few weeks ago, and I instantly knew I had to subscribe. Now, as it always happens, I see Uppercase everywhere I go, online and off. The perfectly curated pages smell wonderful and are so inspiring. I wish I could do what some of the featured artists do, how comfortable they are with their craft and their profession, how dedicated and disciplined they are.

One of the artists featured in issue #17 is Alyn Carlson. Her interviewer asks her the same questions Alyn Carlson herself asks other people: what was the best thing you saw on your last walk? What five things make the perfect day of work?

I thought I'd answer those questions myself, so I can try to keep the answers in my mind through the week, and remember to pay attention to that level of detail everyday.

What was the best thing I saw on my last walk?

A beautiful little church in my neighbourhood. I walk these streets all the time, but I took a slightly different route the other day and there it was, a nice little surprise. It made me wonder how many other neighbourhood treasures I've yet to discover.

What five things make the perfect day of work?

1. An early morning yoga session

2. A big breakfast with a hot cup of chai

3. Getting into the office before anyone else and enjoying the quiet

4. A long afternoon walk with a friend to get away from the computer

5. Getting home while it's still bright outside

#uppercase #everydayliving #perfectworkday