Happy New Year

Pictures I took of the Sydney fireworks down at Rozelle bay, so pretty reflected on the water.
Better get some sleep now :)

2010

photo by Mariela Paz Izurieta


Wishing you all a wonderful new year and decade! I look forward to seeing what amazing things the new year has ahead.

I'm not really into new year resolutions, but a few things I'd like to do are:
- Have some camera fun, I just got a new DSLR, and I have a holga sitting on my shelf waiting to have a play.
- More designs for etsy, including some gocco printed stuff.
- More art!! And maybe even some exhibitions, who knows.

New Years Promo

FREE POCKET CALENDAR for my first sale of the year. Simply be the first to make a purchase form my etsy store and receive a free type bird pocket calendar.
Be quick!

and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (its now official new years etsy time )

The year (08) at a glance

At the beginning of 2008, I set some loose goals and things to look forward to (link) .
It's interesting now to look back and see how the year panned out. It's been another unpredictable and interesting year and I have learnt a lot of new things.

I started my graphic design course at Tafe, Enmore Design Centre. Which I have really enjoyed and have learnt a lot from. It has also turned me into a Mac fan, and I ended up buying a mac book pro, which I really love. Also the Mac store opened here in Sydney this year, which just added to the whole Mac experience.

(examples of tafe work)

This year I have also met a lot of new creative people, those from Tafe, friends of friends and a few fellow etsians (including discovering one of my Tafe teachers sold on etsy). Meeting so many creative people has really inspired me and made me feel more part of the creative community here in Sydney.

Then there was the big event of moving house, which really consumed our entire year. And was probably the most significant event, as we left the area I grew up in and the house we had lived in for over 15 years. It meant huge clean ups and throwing a lot of stuff out, as it would seem you build up a lot of possessions in 15 years especially when it is the early years of your life and you are growing up.
It also meant spending many weekends driving into the city looking at houses. And of course much anticipation in the hope of selling our own (we held our breathe ever time the phone rang)

(a photo I took of the view, on one house hunting trip)

(packing, ready to leave)

Well in September we finally got out, but only to rent, as we were unable to sell. It was a big move, but we are so happy where we are now. Though it has taken some adjustment from suburban life and constant long commuting, to city life and it being so easy to get everywhere. Not that I am complaining, I love it, but it is different, I got to learn the ways of Sydney buses, which are way more efficient than suburban buses.

(The day of the move)

(My new room)

Moving house also meant leaving behind my old casual job, which I had for 4 years. It was sad to leave, as my boss was lovely and I got on so well with the girls there. But after a month after moving I managed to get a new job at Spotlight (a fabric store), which has been good.

As for my business, things have been doing really well. I registered my business officially, so I have an Australian business number now. I also set up my website and got a domain name (http://tabithaemma.com) . It still needs work done on it, but it is a start.
My sales also picked up this year, I am just about averaging a sale a day now, which is great :) Especially considering I was worried I would struggle to keep up with it once i started studying.
I also got to sell my work through a market this year, and I am hoping to do a market myself in the coming year.

(Doing some fabric painting, making bird cage bag)

This year I have also discovered some new loves. After doing some photography at Tafe and also meeting a few photographers, and buying a camera, I have grown a love for photography. But not just for the photos also for vintage cameras, I have now acquired a vintage Polaroid camera and a box brownie.
Speaking of vintage, I also got a vintage typewriter this year, which I love.

(some photography fun)

(some photography fun)

(some more photography fun)

(My wonderful typewriter)

In all its been quite an eventful year, and I have quite enjoyed it. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

Goals for the coming year

I know a lot can happen in a year, and life can be unpredictable, so I like to make lose goals. Something to work towards that can change if necessary. Or hopefully I can surpass.
But here are my business goals, my 2 year anniversary will be on the 21/3/09. Notice all the numbers in the date are divisible by 3. So for a bit of play on numbers.
My goal, on the etsy side of my business is to reach 300 sales and 3000 hearts. At least, of course I am more than happy to surpass this goal, and if this go really well or really bad I may have to reassess. But for now that is my goal.

As for my business as a whole, I hope to increase my wholesale and consignment clients. Expand my range and come up with more amazing ideas. It would be great if i could get my website working wonderfully and even be able to sell on my own site but I have no clue about coding, so it may be a while till I can do that.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

( silly picture of me with an easter egg today)

and a sneak peak at something new I am working on.

1 year on etsy!!!!

(special collage made just for today)

'tabitha emma' was launched this day 1 year ago. After much research, i finally let go of my fears of the online market place and signed up to etsy.com. Hesitant at first to spend 20cents on a listing (mind you I had never bought anything online before) I began listing my novelty bags and purses. I had always dreamed of owning my own shop and having my own business so this was an easy way to get started and see how the world would respond to my work. I have found so much inspiration and learnt so many things. I really has been a great year!!

And so.. to celebrate, I am offering a free set of 3 cupcake (or other design, if these sell out) buttons/badges with any purchase today! ends 12pm EST.

Visit my etsy shop here

(sample of buttons/badges)

2008: goals for the year ahead

(image from My Charlie Girl)

What lies ahead:
- I start my graphic design course in February
- Another year of selling on Etsy.com and expanding my range
- Hopefully we will be moving house and heading into the city
- I will probably need to find a new casual job

Goals for the year:
- To get a domain name
- Get my business more organized
- Sell and list items on etsy more often
- Learn more and develop my skills

I look forward to seeing what the year has in store, life can be so unpredictable, 2007 was a great example of that. It will be an exciting year full of changes and new things.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!