Trial, Error & Tantrums.

Yes, I'm still alive.
Yes, I'd forgotten all about this blog.
Yes, It will probably happen again.

I recall thinking when I first started this blog that I would most likely completely forget about it in a matter of weeks after the initial novelty had worn off and lo and behold, I've not posted anything since October. However, It's great to read back over those old posts when I was just starting to put together my small business and see just how far I've come in just six months!

From starting up the 2pm at the button factory website and having my very first sale in August/September to having over 750 followers on Facebook and my stock in several stores in March. It's been a fantastic journey. There have been ups and downs, triumphs and disasters, a LOT of trial and error and maybe even the odd tantrum thrown in but I think I've made it and I'm incredibly proud of what I've accomplished.

My 2pm range has expanded significantly since those early days and the quality has greatly improved as I've learnt more and more! Covered button hair ties in various sizes, hair slides, hair clips, earrings, bookmarks & designer rings. Decoupage and ribbon wrapped bangles and some new additions that I'm currently still working on; glass tile earrings and magnets!

http://2pmatthebuttonfactory.com
http://www.facebook.com/2pmatthebuttonfactory
http://www.etsy.com/shop/2pmathebuttonfactory
http://www.madeit.com.au/2pmatthebuttonfactory

♥ Amanda

Creative Genius.

I've been flat out this past week getting stuff up and running for the new business. Busily putting together gift boxes, earrings and looking for some inspiration for my bangles. Website is fully up and running and i've had my first sale!



Noodlebox Gift Boxes - $4
Pillow Gift Boxes - Large $3 Small $2

My earrings are now available on my website! $5 per pair! www.2pmatthebuttonfactory.com


Really excited about getting my bangle stock so i can make some decoupage bangles!
Off to make more noodle boxes!

♥ Amanda

Been a while..

I know, I know, i said i wouldn't let this blog lapse as i have many others in the past.. BUT i've come back so it hasn't really lapsed, right? I'm so excited tonight. My mum has been working like an absolute champ today and has pumped out my new website!

www.2pmatthebuttonfactory.com

All it needs now are the paypal links and we'll be up and running! Watch out! lol
I'm full of all sorts of wonderful crafty ideas at the moment. I'm waiting on my first batch of self covered earring supplies to arrive - can't wait to get onto those! And i'm also looking into noodle boxes as gift boxes to sell alongside my button products. I'm thinking of an arty strip of some nice wrapping paper around them. Perfect for christmas time. And personally, i'd be more than happy to pay an extra $2-$3 to avoid having to wrap my gifts! lol

Also need to make up some business cards - pop one of those into each of the noodle boxes. Maybe drum up some repeat business.

Lots of big ideas floating around at the moment!

Many thanks to my financial backer and web designer - Mum!

♥ Amanda

Flu + No tissues + No car = Ugh.

So life has its ups and its downs, right? Well today would definitely be one of the down days! Struggling to remove myself from the couch to do even the smallest task of feeding myself! Its days like these I wonder what others must see in myself? What do I see in myself?
Seriously, maybe I am bi polar? Two days ago I was on the biggest high, strutting around with my head held high. Life was good. Then suddenly, crash! I'm back at the bottom again. This is ridiculous.

Stupid $9,000 car decided this morning that it doesn't want to go anymore! Why pay decent money for a car when you still have the stupid bloody issues with them! I missed an appointment this morning and had to call up and sound like a complete bogan to reschedule cos my car wouldn't start. Its goes Rrr.. Rrrrrr.. Rrrrrrrrrrrr.. Fucking battery. I swear I did nothing to make it angry this time, unlike last time.. So now, even if I wanted to leave, I can't. I'm on house arrest.

I have my first ever hospital admission on Friday to have my wisdom teeth yanked out (thankfully I don't need my car for that!) and I'm considering writing "not this one" on various limbs like House so I have some chance of leaving without having a limb accidentally amputated. Yes - I have great confidence in the hospital staff.

Also, I still have the flu.
Flu + No tissues + No car = Ugh.

Take a pill and perhaps thing will right themselves..

End of season.

So i guess it is the absolute worst time of year for my uggs to be looking so damn cute! I did my shoot this morning and I'm really happy with how the photos turned out - even if i did get there and REALLY couldn't be bothered doing it! We're coming to the end of our season (the warmer months are upon us!) But hopefully I might still sell a few of these for newborns? I've uploaded a photo of my favourite pair - Two Tone Ash & Bone.

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I mentioned in a previous post that I was heading to a new market last weekend in Epping. What I didn't mention since was that it was a monumental waste of time! I spent all day in the freezing cold, making my flu even worse in order to sell TWO beanies. The next day we split up and did two more markets but all in all, the profit from three markets was less than we usually take in one.

HOWEVER, instead of giving up, this weekend we are trying two more! Deloraine - we did reasonably there the last time and our usual Esk. Gotta try and fit in as many markets as we can before we pack up until Agfest in May.

On a side note, I got a call this morning from my dentist..... I'm scheduled to have my wisdom teeth out next Friday - ARRRGH! lol

♥ Amanda

Paddle Pops & Ugg Boots.

Interesting combination; paddle pops and ugg boots but it kind of sums up my life of late literally and metaphorically.. Let me elaborate.

In the literal sense - I've been making an absolute crap load of ugg boots lately and I'm planning another shoot for them tomorrow so i can advertise them properly. And I found a box of paddle pops in the freezer that I had completely forgotten about! Rainbow ones even!

Metaphorically - My life is so up in the air at the moment! No job, no matter how many jobs I apply for!! I think I've applied for about 25 over the past few weeks and I've only gotten one interview. I spend my days doing nothing I'm pretty sure I'm going crazy!

Anyway! Hmm tried to geek it up a little and put 'whinging' in end tags but the silly blog spot thought it was a legitimate end tag and didn't show it! So I'll end my whinging and return to something productive; making ugg boots and eating paddle pops!

♥ Amanda

Officially Unemployed.

So it's official, I am unemployed.

It may seem like an incredibly bad decision quitting my job when I'm actually looking to find more money but with the hours that I had been getting I'd had to rely on government benefits to survive anyway. And they way they compensate for your working income I was working my crappy old job for less than $10 an hour. It just wasn't worth it.

A little confusing but I think that made sense. So anyway, It doesn't really give me a whole lot of extra time (5 hours more a week) but at least I don't spend the rest of the week dreading having to go there! My week is now divided between making beanies and uggs flat out and hunting for that ever elusive full time job. I had an interview for a dental assistant position on Tuesday but I didn't hear anything back so I guess I didn't get that one.. But since then I've applied for another two positions. Fingers crossed. I'll keep applying until someone gives me a go.

Got a busy weekend coming up, trying out a new market in Epping - Not sure how its going to go but its worth a try! Then on Sunday if its not raining I'm going to head into Esk on my own and mum's going to head out to Evandale. Splitting up has always done wonders for the pocket in the past so hopefully doing the 3 markets this weekend will provide us both with some much needed extra cash!

Hopefully I can start up the safari fund soon!
♥ Amanda