About Social Salutations

About 6 years ago I read the book "A Cure for the Common Life" by Max Lucado.  It was all about reaching deep within yourself to determine the gifts that God has given you to find your "sweet spot".  I remember sitting in rush hour traffic  - 15 minutes in to my hour and a half commute thinking to myself, "What is it that I am meant to do with my life?  How can I find my sweet spot?".  I prayed about it...a lot.   Then, a friend from my church small group invited me to a Creative Memories workshop.  I had never scrapbooked before, but found myself captivated and energized with creativity.  I was bit by the crafting bug and haven't stopped since.

Scrapbooking created an outlet for me to unleash my creativity and I immersed myself in it whenever I had a spare moment.  I started creating party invitations and favors for friends and family, and would consistently get the feedback "You should be doing this for a living".  I appreciated the compliments, but never thought it could be possible.  

The unthinkable happened next - I was layed off from my full time job - for 13 months!!  I started trying to find ways to make some extra cash to keep my family afloat and discovered Stampin Up.  I was enamored with the design possibilities, and contacted a local demonstrator right away.  

I remained a Stampin Up demonstrator for about a year, but when I started working full time again, it was hard for me to keep up with.  In December 2009, I made some items for a sales table at my daughter's daycare.  I barely sold anything and was left with inventory that I didn't know what to do with.  My mom told me to bring it to work - what did I have to lose?  So I did - and sold out of everything!  I ended up filling additional orders - this is when I told my husband - "I can do this - I think I can make a business out of this".  

And that's when Social Salutations was born.  I taught myself how to use photoshop and started designing custom stationery and favors for clients.  I was picking up business solely through word of mouth, and finding it difficult to fulfill orders on nights and weekends alone.  My husband and I started discussing the possibility of me doing this fulltime, and set a deadline for August 2011 when our daughter starts kindergarten.  She drives and inspires me on a daily basis, and I want to be home when she gets off the school bus - being home for her is so important to me.  My newfound love of using fabric in my stationery designs and my recent expansion into accessories all stem from constantly asking myself "What would Addison like?".  Everyday she tells me how much she loves me - and I overhear her telling her friends "My mommy made this for me - isn't it beautiful?"  My little sales lady!!

I was recently layed off yet again, and now is the time.  Social Salutations is my God given "Sweet Spot".  I thank him everyday for showing me my strengths and allowing me the opportunity to glorify him through my work.  Crafting is my passion and my love, and I want to continue to bring smiles to both my client's and daughter's faces.