Back in the Studio

I'm back in my chair, pushing my cat away from my keyboard as I read email and type another blog entry. I'm doing my best to sustain the after vacation glow. I want to get out and walk on those wet cobblestones of Edinburgh. I like cities.

There, I said it.

Many people squint their faces when I get enthusiastic about walking the cracked pavement of urban areas. Admittedly, I need a respite now and again from the city, but I'm craving the energy of building my business and talking about my work -I can only get that in a dense area, unlike Raleigh.

Although, back in my home base of Raleigh, I need to work smarter and more effectively about getting my work noticed: more press releases, more kits, a marketing plan that works as hard as I do. That's on the design board and I'll make Andrew plan my strategy. I need a calendar that dictates to me since I'm so free-wheelin' when it comes to creativity -sheesh! I have to be.

I worked extremely hard last year putting in more hours in a week than I can count, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm hoping this year will pay off -economy be damned.

Across the seas, I would check my email on occasion to make sure the business was still tended. I wouldn't respond, but at least check those emails that needed to be addressed upon my return. I received some orders and because I checked myPaypal account (across the seas) they flagged my account, refusing my re-entry. Dammit.

So, now I sit here, helpless while Paypal 'reviews' my secret answers to confirm I am who I am -sound familiar? Heh. I'm sitting in my own little box, albeit much prettier and comfortable than conjured memories of old war movies as my orders also sit partially completed until I can get my account released.

Now I think I"ll begin my list of business to-do's for the beginning of the week:

Make frames
Copyright my images
Review a contract
Work on a custom order (details forthcoming)
Clean up my Web site
Work on new product development

That's just to start.

At least I can look forward to returning to the gym as I didn't lose a pound with all that walking. Maybe I'll surprise Amy by showing up to yoga...

Meanwhile, here are some travel updates:
Passport Panic
Last Night in London: British Museum Surprises
Edinburgh: Our Apartment
Happy Christmas
Christmas Eve
Infamous London Fog
Business Class & the Crying Class

Getting Started with Credit Cards

Indie Craft Shows has an article about getting started with credit cards.

I know that for now, I'm still with Paypal using Paypal Pro. I've adopted the virtual terminal to accept credit cards over the phone, fax, or snail mail which as been a God send. I don't do enough open air shows to warrant a device that allows a business gal to take cc on site -but I think they exist.

Meanwhile, if your a CostCo member, it seems that they've got a pretty competitive rate for small biz.