Today's post really began a month ago.
I had been struggling with where I want to take my blog-etsy-crafty-junkin' business,which seems to be a long time struggle in my head, because, as I am doing one creative thing, additional ideas are popping into my mind, and I lose traction. (Do you do that?)
Yes, it's the condition commonly known as the so-many-ideas-so-little-time syndrome.
On this one particular morning, I popped over to my friend Carol's blog as I often do, to see what was new there. (I should share here that Carol and I have been long time internet friends, and she has always been an inspiration to me.)
Anyway.
By no coincidence, on this particular day, Carol was sharing a new venture herself, where she is now offering mentoring sessions, for like-minded girls like me, looking to get on a productive path with their bliss. I decided that day, right then and there, to invest in myself. (How could I not? Carol knew me. She understood how my head worked. We were already ahead of the game!)
She sent me a qustionare for direction, and I scheduled my first appointment with Carol.
Oh, mygosh.
I was so excited that I took the day off from my grown-up girl job. I gathered and carefully arranged my laptop, paper, pen, cell phone, and an ice cold Pepsi Max on the dining room table, ready for my 9:00 date with destiny.
What I thought was going to be an hour of clarifying whether to focus on my writing and blog, my paper goods on etsy, or my new teeny-tiny case at Camas Antiques, and which things to put on the back burner, turned out to be an over-the-top, inspirational call about adding one more item to my plate, and in doing so, actually bringing all of my other endevours together as different arms of one bigger picture.
As Carol pointed out, I had been on the path of event planning before my move up here, so why not go down that path again? It combines my passion for junking with my paper-crafting, and my need to make every day an event.
I've been busy girl all month, planning, and creating a new site, and while it is not quite complete, it is launching today, with the pages being built out more fully each day. (It all should be complete in a week or two!)
Introducing....
Mmm, hmm. TraceyBuxton.com
(Pretty easy to remember, right?)
I'll be handling vintage prop rentals, event planning, (in person, over the phone and via email....) paper goods, and providing inspiring ideas for all of life's special occasions.
(And, my daughters will both be helping me!)
After I brainstormed with Carol, I began to notice, everywhere, that the vintage prop rental idea, and vintage themed events are even bigger than I realized....a case in point...
Now, look past the word "weddings" here, and you'll see that this pertains to any sort of party. Birthdays, dinner parties, graduations, and showers.
A couple of weeks ago, when we were back in the biggest little city for a visit, I brainstormed further with the other Tracey, who, just a few months ago, coordinated a vintage themed wedding for her own daughter (Watch for it in an upcoming issue of Country Living magazine! I will keep you posted!) and that confirmed to me that Carol had me on the right path for my bliss.
I have my second mentoring call with Carol today, and I cannot wait to see what we come up with next! (I'll share more tomorrow!)
Tracey, you are FABULOUS! I am so happy to hear this news and...that you get to do it with your daughters, priceless! I have been following your blog since the beginning - almost. I googled 'black and white' tablescape or something like that one day back in 2008. I do tons of wedding cakes/parties/entertaining (my husband is a pastor of a larger church)and I was looking for 'It's a Wonderful Life' Christmas table ideas, in black and white. I came up to the cute little black and white table for two photo of yours. Anyway...I've been a BIG FAN ever since! You have been extremely generous sharing your creativity with the world and I could not be more excited for you about this new plan! I need mentoring! I am in NY - so it would have to be long distance:-) We have so much in common and I feel like we'd be friends if you lived in town. Thank you for giving of yourself the way that you have over the years! God Bless your new venture!
Posted by: Jackie | March 04, 2013 at 08:56 AM
I am over-the-moon excited for you! This is SO perfect - and it is so YOU!!! I can't wait to hear more and see where this takes you.
~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | March 04, 2013 at 11:53 AM
AWESOME! What a great plan for you and your dear daughters. Wishing you the very best with this new adventure!
~Kathryn~
Posted by: Kathryn | March 04, 2013 at 12:40 PM
This is you! And sooo exciting! Everything you do us s cute and modern...or vintage... Or perfect! I will make my most honest confession about your ideas... Do you remember the post with the care package and little water bottle with Red Cross, etc.? I have a truly kind heart. ,I really am known for it... But I couldn't WAIT for some one of my friends to get the flu! So I could swoop in with it. Shameful! Lol
Good for you! I'd hire you in a flash!
Posted by: Gayla | March 04, 2013 at 02:49 PM
You are so in my head right now!! I wish I had an avenue to take to get to where you are. I'm new in my town (2 1/2 years is still new right? Please say yes. ha!) and don't know anyone really, except the girls I work with, and don't have any idea where to start doing something similar to what you're talking about in this post. It's kind of my dream to do what you're starting. I'm looking for a new job and can't really get excited about anything because what I want to be doing isn't an available option and not knowing people makes me feel like I have no place to start; does that make sense? I know people say to make things happen for yourself, but sometimes it seems pretty impossible.
Anyway, I can't wait to see what you come up with because I KNOW it's gonna be rockin'!! :)
Posted by: Kori | March 04, 2013 at 03:29 PM
Yay!!! This is just the perfect venture for you. I can't wait to see the parties that you create!
Posted by: Kim @ Vintage Pretties | March 04, 2013 at 04:18 PM
Congratulations Tracey! How perfect for you!! Wishing you so much success!
Posted by: Cheryl | March 04, 2013 at 04:37 PM
After the fact, it seems so obvious! It really is perfectly you!
Posted by: Meadowsweet Cottage | March 04, 2013 at 08:36 PM
Congratulations to you....as from my comments on March 2nd- I think I was pretty darn close. I guess from following you the last couple of years- this looked like a great step for you. Best of luck in your new adventure.
Could it be a "Vintage Rentals" business for weddings and photo shoots. I've been wanting to do this for awhile. With your collection of treasures you would do great at this! Lots of money to be made.
Posted by: igrubb | March 02, 2013 at 04:42 PM
Posted by: igrubb | March 04, 2013 at 08:49 PM
Girl...this is so very...YOU!!!! Carol is right, it ties all of your fabulous talents together!!!! And please, we all know if you need to, you'll be whipping up several batches of cupcakes for the shindig too!!!! I just love this Tracey and you know I wish you nothing but pure success ~ but I know you'll be wonderful, I just know it.
hugs and love,
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Edmonson | March 04, 2013 at 09:02 PM
I'm so glad you're investing in yourself, Tracey! I've wished for years that I had money to invest in you! You're going places woman! I'm excited for the other Tracey, too! I guess she carried on when you left! I'll look for her spread in Country Living Magazine. This update makes me very happy : )
Posted by: Betsy Derr | March 04, 2013 at 09:43 PM
This sounds like the perfect path for you!!! I am so glad that things are coming together -in so very many ways- for you.
Posted by: Andrea Buford | March 05, 2013 at 03:48 AM
Congratulations and much success!! I can't wait to follow you on this journey! You are such an inspiration to all of us xoxo
Posted by: debbie @ happy little cottage | March 05, 2013 at 04:37 AM
Let me know if you need awesome soap favors! I would love to get in with some
party planners.
Posted by: Dalene | March 05, 2013 at 05:18 AM
Sounds like a natural progression for you. Your ideas are so creative and unique. Best of luck to you!!!
Posted by: Yvonne Welty | March 05, 2013 at 07:47 AM
Much success in this growing venture, Tracey. After reading your blog the last several years, this really does seem like a wonderful progression for you. I'm looking forward to your future too!
Posted by: Elaine | March 05, 2013 at 08:20 AM
Congratulations Tracey...this is so perfect for you!!! How great you will be doing this with your girls as it is obvious they too have the creative gene from their momma. You are going to rock at this....you already do! Jeni
Posted by: Jeni | March 06, 2013 at 04:41 PM
Yup, she nailed it! THIS is exactly you, Tracey. So happy for you- I think you have definitely found your wheelhouse. Wouldn't it be so fun to see another 41 Taylor again?
Posted by: Bettsi | March 11, 2013 at 01:31 PM