It's All Zeros

Well, the start of a new calender year brings the start of a new fiscal year for Room 5.  When I turned on my computer on the Monday morning after the New Year's Holiday and opened my Point of Sale program, I knew I would look at my sales page and see an empty screen.  And I thought I had prepared myself for the loneliness that would spill out of my monitor when I did.  But I hadn't.  I looked at that page and I saw no evidence of my hard work over these last 6 months that my doors have been open.

What do I mean by "loneliness"?  How do "sales," or the evidence of them from a computer program's screen, keep you from being "lonely"?  Well, seeing all those numbers on my screen showed me that people loved to come here, enjoyed being here and bought something to remember their time here.  Yes, I know I am not an amusement park or an awesome beach vacation town.  But, I am a "destination."  Room 5 is not located in a mall where hundreds of thousands of people walk by hourly and decide on a whim to stop in and check out what the "new kid" has to offer.  I am a single business; on my own; that someone must choose to get into their car and drive to.  And I am proud of what I have brought to life. So I feel like an amusement park, or a hot vacation destination that people are excited to go to.

This is what I saw that sad, sad day:

Nothing!

Now, tell me that doesn't make you feel lonely!!

So, now I am busy looking at spring/summer catalogs, trying to find the best merchandise to order, for the sole purpose of bringing back all those round and shiny numbers that I love so much!! 

Oh, and the people!

And with this new year, I promise to resume a more full blog publishing schedule.  I can't wait to show you all the new inventory you will be seeing at Room 5!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

How To Move A Tree

Have you every moved a tree on your own?  Well I have.  And it was not easy!

I moved my tree from here:

To here:

Oh, you thought I was talking about a real tree!  Nope, just my Christmas Tree!!

As you can see, the tree is a wee bit small for the space!  I am using my tree from home for this Christmas Season.  And then, during the After Christmas Sales, I will purchase a better one for the space - at a discounted price!  But for now, this one is working just fine!

So back to tree moving...

I was worried about how I was going to get the tree from the back of the store to the front, without disassembling it OR scratching my floors!

So, I found a cardboard box that was big enough to fit under the stands, flattened the box, and then very carefully, tipped each corner of the stand up just enough to slip the cardboard under.  Then, once it was centered under the tree I scooted it across the floor!  It worked perfectly!!

Now that the tree was moved I had to switch all the Christmas Accessories from the front to the back as well.  This was a big 2-day job.



But, it all turned out great!

Local Artists

Kelly at Kelly's Korner Blog is hosting her weekly Show Us Your Life and this week it is Show Us What You Make. 

Well, I don't make anything; BUT I absolutely love to SELL what other people make!! 

My mission, when I opened my boutique, Room 5, was to find and sell fun, unique items that people couldn't get anywhere else.  My original business plan didn't include individual artist's hand-made work, but it defiantly does now!!

I love to scour other people's blogs and find fun, unique items.  And when I find something that interests me and that I know will interest my customers I jump at the opportunity to start a business relationship with that artist.  And, almost from the fist, I have had local artists stop by to see if I am interested in what they have to offer.  My boutique is starting to become known for selling local artist's works of love!! 

Here are some of the more popular items.

Goat Mill Stuff.  I absolutely love this "stuff!"

Goat Milk Stuff.  Prices ranging from $3.50 - $18.00

Handmade jewelry:

Amelia Bennett Jewelry:  Prices ranging from $20 - $35

Hand painted Watercolors:

Nina Lewis Watercolors:  Prices ranging from $35 - $45

Gourmet Food Mixes:  So Delicious!!!!!!

JD Farms:  Brownie, Chocolate Chip, and Hot Cocoa Mixes $12.50

This last group is what got the whole "local artist" thing started for Room 5.  I carry my mother-in-laws baby cloths and accessories in my boutique, and when people found out that they were handmade and NOT by me, they got curious to see if I would be interested in carrying other people's handmade creations!

Of Course!!!  I'm always interested in new avenues to take my business and this has been a great one!!

Handmade (embellished) Baby Clothing and accessories:

Stitches by Shaylynn:  Tie Onesie and Matching Burp Cloth: $15.50 and $9.50

Stitches by Shaylynn: Necklace Onesie and matching Burp cloth: $16.50 and $9.50

Handmade baby quilts:

Stitches by Shaylynn:  Handmade quilt and 3 matching burp cloths. $125.00

 Be sure to check out her blog to see what other great things she makes!!  Were talking super-hero capes, large, amazing and unique quilts and so much more!!!