Growing Pains

Almost two whole month have past since I updated HSVH last. My blogging time has fallen victim to Tattooedgeek Inc., which by the way I'm pleased to report has been doing well.  My sales are increasing, especially wholesales orders.  I've had the pleasure of working on several sets of wedding favors including my favorite, the Sugar Skull Lip Balm favors pictured below. 

I was asked to create a custom aftercare kit for a local tattoo parlour. The kits include a 2oz cruelty free rosemary and lavender glycerin soap.  Rosemary essential oil is excellent for minor skin abrasions, it helps stimulate healing.  Lavender essential oil is a natural antiseptic.  I've been told that over 50 of the kits have already  sold.

My daughters and I were able to vend in Brooklyn on May 1st & 2nd as part of the Brooklyn Lyceum's Spring Food and Craft Market. We brought my new line of 3.5 inch pocket mirrors to the Market.  I brought 27 mirrors and came home with just two.  The mirrors will make their shop debut sometime this week. 

I love vending in Brooklyn, it's always a great experience.  Not only was the Spring Food & Craft Market fun, but I also got to meet customer/fellow etsyian and vendor Darlene from Ursula and Olive ( http://www.ursulaandolive.com/, http://www.ursulaandolive.etsy.com/.)

Just as their banner promises, Ursula and Olive offers up really fun and bold  geeky goodness in the form of necklace pendant combos, earrings and a few other awesome products, all extreamly well crafted.  We brought home one of Ursula and Olive's Mr. Spock necklaces, next time I'm getting the "Snape is sexy" pendant. (And now you know where the geek in Tattooegeek comes from.)

Food has been another causality of Tattooedgeek's recent growth spurt. There has been many a 9:00p.m. microwaved Amy's burritos as of late (we like the breakfast ones, they're vegan and really good.)  Michael's birthday provided a much needed respite from all of the frozen vegan food.  I put aside work and made Lemon Pepper Seitan Medallions with steamed string beans and a wild rice blend.  I formed the Seitan as if I was making sausages to get the medallion shape.  I dredged the medallions in organic corn starch then fried them until golden and crispy.  I then smothered the medallions in the Lemon Pepper sauce.

Not being much of a cake person myself, I opted to make super chocolaty cupcakes. Nobody complained!

I really need to figure out how to manage my time better.  One decent cooked meal a month is completely unacceptable.   Any suggestions?  How do you handle family, work, food, homework, cleaning etc....