Stacy Altiery

Work + Life = A Fine Balance

Saturday, August 21, 2010

PHOTO: courtesy of seeveeaar’s flickr photostream

by Stacy Altiery of Inkspot Workshop

Hello Everyone! This month I’d like to share with you a post I did on my blog last year about work life balance. I’m always getting asked, “how do you balance a day job, side business and family?”  There really isn’t an easy answer, rather a different way to look at things that seems to make me feel better, and ultimately  more “balanced”. I hope you enjoy this and are able to find a new perspective and some balance of your own.

Originally published as Balance, March 30, 2009

I’ve been ENLIGHTENED!

We all strive to achieve some form of balance every day. Regardless if we are working moms struggling to find a balance between work/family or single people struggling to find a balance between work/personal life, we are all on the same teeter totter of life together.

Recently I heard something that has changed the way I view “balance” and consequently it has taken a load of stress off of me and I hope by sharing this story you too will feel enlightened.

I was listening to a talk radio show and they had on a guest Psychologist. A caller asked the question about how to find balance in life and the answer was simply thought provoking (in my humble opinion).  Not extremely unique, but just so simple and easy to grasp it made me wonder why I had not thought of it already.

The Doctor replied (and I’m paraphrasing) “You never really reach a state of balance because balance is not a state, it is a PROCESS.” He went on to tell a story about how he never thought he could ride his bike without using the handle bars, because every time he tried the bike would sway to one side or the other. He chalked this up to not having “balance” and figured he’d never be any good at it. Then one day he realized, wait! the actual process of shifting your weight back and forth from one side to the other IS how you balance!

Now everything is crystal clear to me. When I’m spending time with my son, I used to stress out about how I needed to be working. Then when I’m working, I feel tremendous guilt about not spending time with my family. Now I understand this is completely normal and the constant shifting of how, where, with whom and when you spend all of your time is actually the art of BALANCING.

Here are some great links about finding equilibrium:

Another real mommy telling her balancing story…

http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/07/ask-amy-the-balancing-act/

A resourceful site for moms trying to do it all!

http://www.theproductivemom.com/

I hope this has helped- thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway: InkSpot Workshop Popsicle Notecards

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

by Stacy Altiery, InkSpot Workshop

This week Stacy Altiery from InkSpot Workshop and Fire Hydrant Press has offered a set of 20 popsicle notecards for either a boy or a girl. Celebrate summer in style with these adorable personalized cards with matching lined envelopes.

ENTERING IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3

1. Go to InkSpot Workshop’s website and come back here and post your favorite item

2. Become a fan of InkSpot Workshop on Facebook by clicking here. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know if you are a new fan or current fan.

3. Click here to follow InkSpot Workshop on Twitter. Then come back and leave a comment letting us know you are following

4. Get extra entries by subscribing to OMHG, becoming a fan on Facebook or following OMHG on Twitter and posting separate comments here.

This is a global giveaway-residents from anywhere are welcome to enter. Giveaway winner will be selected using random.org at midnight (EST) Saturday, July 24. Entries received after midnight are void! By entering this contest you are agreeing to the OMHG giveaway policies.

Glass Magnet Tutorial

Thursday, April 22, 2010

by Stacy Altiery of InkSpot Workshop

Hello Everyone! Ready to get some sticky fingers? Well roll up your sleeves because we’re getting ready to make those cute glass magnets you see everywhere. Or, instead of gluing magnets to the backs of your tiles, try bails (the little things that allow your glass tile to hang from a chain), and make an adorable pendant. All supplies listed below can be found on Etsy.

(read more…)

Etsy 101

Thursday, March 25, 2010

by Stacy Altiery of InkSpot Workshop

When I started InkSpot Workshop two years ago, I was making stationery and invites for friends and family, but had never entertained the idea of starting my own craft business. That all changed when a good friend introduced me to Etsy. I was blown away with the quality and selection of handmade items available. It was like having all of my favorite vendors from my local craft shows under one roof and multiply that number by 1,000! I was instantly smitten.

Then I started to realize, “Hey, I can do this, too”. My creative juices instantly kicked in, and when I saw Etsy shops such as sarah + abraham, I got completely inspired.  Within an hour, InkSpot Workshop was born. I’m not an expert on Etsy, but I’ve had an incredible amount of success selling on Etsy.  In just two short years I’ve opened a second Etsy shop called Fire Hydrant Press and launched my own website in August of 2009. (read more…)

Social Networking 101

Thursday, March 4, 2010

by Stacy Altiery of InkSpot Workshop

OK, so you have a small business and you’re selling items online either with an Etsy shop, Ebay store or some other format, right?  Now how do you spread the word online?  The answer is Social Networking.

I’m going to break down into simple terms the different options you have for Social Media, plus use myself and my online stationery business as an example.  I’m not an expert on this topic, but I do have some real world experience I’d love to share with you.  So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the read… (read more…)

what we know for sure {part 2 of 2}

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Today’s post focuses on growing a small business.  Below is a compilation of advice from a few of the Oh My! Handmade Goodness contributors.

  • Old school truth: Every business needs a USP (unique selling proposition). What’s yours? (Nicole Morell)
  • Deliver within your stated production time and offer excellent customer service! In this fast past world, it seems CS has taken a back seat.  Be an expert at customer service and your customers will come back.  (Stacy Amoo-Mensah)
  • Find out what your customers want by asking for feedback and ideas.  You’ll be surprised at how many are interested in contributing (especially if you offer a nice incentive or coupon for their help). (Stacy Amoo-Mensah)
  • (read more…)

what we know for sure {part 1 of 2}

Monday, February 15, 2010

by Sara Tams of sarah + abraham

I’ve noticed lately that every time the topic of my home-based, online business comes up with a new acquaintance, I start out by answering the same few questions about what I do, how it works, etc., and by the end of the conversation I’m cheering on this new friend, encouraging her to follow her passion and start her own business.

I started thinking about the advice that I find myself sharing over and over, and I asked a few of the other contributors here at Oh My! Handmade Goodness what her best tips are for anyone who’s thinking about starting an online business.  Below is a compilation of everyone’s advice (tomorrow’s post will focus on growing a small business).

  • Make sure what you choose to do is something you LOVE! Running your own business is hard work, and it helps to be obsessed with your job. (Arianne Foulks)
  • Do your research and know your competition. (Stacy Amoo-Mensah)
  • Be true to your own style. It’s ok to look at others for inspiration, but make sure you are truly plugged into YOU! Don’t try to copy the trends, they always fade. (Stacy Altiery)
  • (read more…)