painted furniture

…building a business: inventory

February 24, 2015 by christen 3 Comments

The new year is always a great time to go through your inventory. If you have a small business, you may be like me and organizing your work- space takes the back burner. There is too much to do when you run the entire show and it falls to the bottom of the list.

In the past two years the focus of Blue Egg Brown Nest has turned towards more Refinishing Services and Online Interior Design Services. This means that I don’t carry as much inventory. I used to buy & sell much more. It’s just how things have worked out. If I am slammed refinishing I don’t have time to hunt for vintage pieces to sell. Carrying stock is really hard, especially when it is furniture. My garage is completely full of furniture and it’s still not enough space!

I spent a bit of time looking around at my garage last weekend. I pulled out a few tables and touched them up. I had DH fix a few older pieces. I even decided to repaint a few things.

This brings me to an important question for us all.

What do you do when something has not sold? Do you repaint/alter or do you hold it?

It’s a really common question I get. Holding onto a piece means that you need to store it and that means you have to have excess room…somewhere.

How important is space to you? If you have your own shop it’s probably really important. I know a seller that if it does not sell in 4 weeks then she repaints the piece. Because of my lifestyle, I let it sit for much, much longer because eventually every piece finds a home. I know that this is not do-able for many.

However, having a piece not sell can be a mental challenge. It can become like writer’s block almost. You want to see pieces moving in and out of your work space to keep momentum going and feel like you are really productive and successful. If you need some motivation and to clear a block then it may be time to bite the bullet and repaint a piece that has not sold. Maybe the color you chose is too bold, maybe it is too soft. Maybe it would look better in a neutral where a client can visualize it in their room/s.

Repainting is no defeat. It is moving a piece. Don’t let your pride get in the way of a business decision. Just like our minds and our bodies, our businesses are always moving and in flux. Nothing ever stays the same and we must adapt and be flexible. Easier said than done, I know.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: annie sloan, blue egg brown nest, Building a Business, Building a Creative Business, Chalk Paint Tutorial, chalk painting, how to paint furniture, painted furniture

…custom console for sale

February 23, 2015 by christen 3 Comments

I acquired this beautiful piece last week! Before I refinish it I always like to offer it up to someone that would like to have it with a color of their choosing. It is a stunning piece with loads of detail. It’s not every day I come across a piece with so many beautiful curves & carvings. This one feels really special.

Custom Console 63″L x 18″D…$549

Shipping available to certain locations via USHIP. Priority will be given to local buyers. If shipping, arrangements must be made prior to purchase. Custom pieces are first pay, first serve.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: annie sloan, blue egg brown nest, chalk Paint, Chalk Paint Tutorial, Decor, painted furniture, painting furniture

…building a business: more

January 27, 2015 by christen 5 Comments

There is nothing wrong with wanting more. More business, more space, more money, more experience, more press, more credibility. I think God wants more for us too, actually.

I think we are often taught growing up that wanting and wanting more than we have is bratty and self-indulgent. It can sometimes sound selfish in my own ears, actually. But, doesn’t God say he wants more for us than we can even imagine? Then, isn’t it our job to ask for more? Try for more?

I’m not talking about sitting on the couch and complaining that nothing is going your way. Eww. I find this kind of attitude really frustrating. In fact, I kind of hate it. Yes, I hate it. I am totally with Elvis when he said, “A little less conversation, a little more action.” If you are frustrated with a situation, then DO something about it.

Put those ideas and discomfort into action.

I’m talking about pushing ourselves, putting ourselves out there, pouring money into a new endeavor, and trying. If you are willing to just try, you are to be commended for that. If you are willing to pray for something bigger than yourself; bigger than you could ever imagine for your business, then be brave enough to say it and work on it. Work on it until it happens. Pray about it until something budges.

I want big things for Blue Egg Brown Nest. I never thought my little idea would be a big as it has gotten. I think it is a beautiful gift, wrapped up in a bow from God to me. It feels like redemption. It feels like I am being seen for the first time in my life.

But, I want more. I don’t always have the energy to push myself – paint, write daily, market, and sell. It takes a lot. Then I pray for more and I find a little idea buried deep inside my brain that all of a sudden has a little ray of light on it. I can see it. How can I grab it and bring it into the sun? I pray for more.