Our business still struggles.  My friend reminds me that we probably won't be successful for at least three years.  She is right of course.  We knew nothing about the retail business or stained glass when we started.  I sometimes feel my head will explode with all the new knowledge we have gained but there is still much to learn.  How to make a living is the pressing problem but also what to make and buy and when.  My friend says I need to learn to put things on SALE.  Ha Ha.

Because the Whimsy is whimsical, I have had to learn how to buy jewelry, art, and pottery from local artists, and funky clothing that is made well and looks cute on different body types. I believe there are Whimsy threads out there but the perfect lines are yet to be discovered.

 I have had fun reading the works of the local writers we carry.  And have learned quite a bit about self publishing and publishing through a publisher.

Stained and unstained glass is amazing.  I am inspired when I enter the building and have learned to design custom creations for our customers, and mosaics with the left over glass.  Everything is colorful and color makes me feel good!  Perhaps I am too carried away by color and have scattered myself to thin.

Yet, even with the financial struggles, I am having so much FUN!  Every day is a new adventure, creating a piece of furniture or drawing a new stained glass design.  I love helping women find something fun to add to their wardrobes and when they find Coobie bras, they are so appreciative.

My awesome husband is having fun too.  Our customers love him and he is great at merchandising.  And he can still work in a few golf rounds during the week.  We really are living our dream.  As long as it lasts, we are going to enjoy it and hopefully, after year 2 (November 5, 2012) or sooner, we will get really successful.

Plan a trip to Wimberley and come see us soon!

Whimsy Girls and the Chair

Today the Whimsy Girls met.  We ate cookies and cake and talked about the crazy chair I am making for Arts from the Heart.  Their auction is coming up soon and I want to contribute.  When public school funding got cut in Wimberley,  this group took action and started volunteering with great art programs in the school.  They could have sat around grumping about how everything was going to hell in a handbag but instead, they solved a problem, better than it was before.

Their auction goal is to take an ordinary chair and make it extraordinary.  This is the kind of challenge that gets me excited and, apparently, the Whimsy Girls feel the same way.  Once the topic was broached, every one was brainstorming and contributing great ideas.  Of course I can't discuss them here because this is a top secret project. :) But once it is ready to donate, I will post it for all of you to inspect!

Every week I look forward to our Whimsy Girl's Social, Thursdays from 3-5, at the back of the Whimsy store (Every girl is welcome).  These women are amazing and diverse.  They come from all walks of life and careers.  Most are retired but some are entrepreneurs.  They all are very vested in helping me succeed, which makes me extremely blessed.  When we gather, there is no agenda.  We just check on one another and solve our personal world issues and encourage one another to keep rowing our boats through storms and sunshine.

Whimsy Girls remind me how important my girlfriends are to my well being.  It is a mutual admiration society but it is much more.  We also give really great feedback to each other, we network for one another, and when things hit the fan, we are there for each other.  Living in Wimberley is great, but it is a little piece of heaven because the Whimsy Girls come every Thursday!