My RVA: Around VCU

Some nights I wander around VCU and immerse myself in the hustle and bustle of all of the students. 

Anyone passing me thinks that I'm just like them. It's kind of fun taking on an assumed identity. A lot of the times I'm coming from a coffee shop where I've just finished up some work, so I even have my computer and a big bag to look even more the part of the avid scholar. 

I walk the paths they walk, and see the things they see, and wonder what it must be like to do this every day. Or almost every day. 

I look into windows and notice walls wall papered with PBR cartons (Only in RVA....). I read inside jokes and secret messages (now not so secret) graffitied onto garage doors and brick walls. I hear the sound of the never ending construction slowly fade away as the day exchanges itself for the night. I see expressions of concentration, of worry, of excitement, of passivity and of contentment, on the people who pass by.

 I wonder what it must be like to be connected to such a large group of people in such a singular and definite way. 

VCU is a part of this city of mine, and though sometimes that can be annoying, primarily with the traffic and over crowded streets during week day afternoons, it's a part of Richmond that I really actually love. 

It feels like home. 

How To Be Your Shop's Best Critic

| Follow me on Instagram at @agirlnamedleney | 

Cheyne, works at Etsy on the Seller Education team, and she recently contacted me and asked me if I would share some of my experience with ways I've critiqued my shop as well as a few ways I think fellow sellers can do better at critiquing their own shops. 
She ended up quoting me in one of the most recent articles on the Etsy blog!
You can go check it out here.

I loved being able to contribute and share a little of what I've learned so far in my Etsy expereince. 
I am by no means an expert, but I've definitely learned a few things over the past year or two of selling, and I always want to make sure I share and give back to the artists and makers community when I have the opportunity to. Because there have been so many people who have shared and helped me in my journey and I wouldn't be where I am now without them!

So in light of that, and in the spirit of sharing, I thought I would go ahead and share some more about some of the things Cheyne initially asked me, and some of my more extensive answers, in hopes that maybe they'll help some of you new Etsy shop owners out. 
P.s. Don't worry, I'm still going to do a Q&A post! I've really loved getting all of your questions over the past few weeks. So if you have anymore related to this, or anything else, just let me know!


Have you ever given yourself a shop critique or received one from another seller? If so, what's the biggest thing you've learned from a self critique or a critique from someone else? Any really big lightbulb moments? 

I think the biggest importance in any shop is consistency in your information and overall aesthetic and way of doing things. For instance: I was stating in my shop info that my knits took 3-4 weeks to be made before being shipped, however I didn't have that information in each listing and so a lot of my customers missed seeing that because they didn't necessarily look at my shop info before purchasing! As a result I was having to answer a lot of "when is my order going to be ready??" emails. 
Being consistent and clear about what you're promising each of your customers, in every aspect of their buying experience, will keep them coming back as well as, ultimately, cut down on work for you. I also state that I only answer Etsy Convo's Monday-Friday 8-5pm because those are my work hours for the shop. Because I'm also a photographer, I have a very large work load that I have to manage throughout the week, and so it's very important to have some down time for myself and end my work day at a decent hour so that I can maintain my overall health. This doesn't always happen of course, there are many late nights of editing and knitting, but the more I'm able to stick to a good work routine, the better I can ultimately be for my customers.


Is there one area you feel your fellow sellers always struggle with that needs a lot of attention (in terms of the commonly critiqued shop elements)?

I think there are a lot of shops that have some really amazing products but have poor photos of said products. I know that pretty imagery is what I am most drawn to when I peruse Etsy and what also definitely helps get you into treasuries and on the front page! Granted, not everyone is a photographer, but with how amazing point and shoot cameras are these days, and even our phones, it's really not that hard to get good quality photos of the products you're trying to sell. I think natural lighting is definitely key. But even if you still feel intimidated by trying to get some good photos for your shop, ask a friend or local photographer in your area to help you out! Even if you don't have the budget for it, you can most likely trade skills with them and work out an agreement for them to take some photos for you in exchange for some of your products! 


Any extra sage wisdom you'd like to share about looking at your own shop or giving feedback to someone else?

Do not compare yourself to other Etsy shops.
Or, let me rephrase that, you can compare yourself in a healthy way, by gauging in the ways that you can change to be similarly successful, but once you start thinking "Gosh I wish I had that many sales" or "Man why am I not this popular?" stop it right there!
You can't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. 
Everyone has to start somewhere and all of those Etsy shops that we all love and admire for their great success, started just where you are at one point! They just worked their butts off to get to where they are now. And that's what you have to be willing to do too. Just stick to what you're best at, learn and grow in the areas you aren't as great in, and don't compare yourself to others and their journeys because everyone's is different and comparison is the thief of joy.
//////

Definitely be sure to check out Cheyne's article though. 
I learned a lot from reading it myself, especially since I'm in the process of renovating my shop and designs a bit, I have lots of new things I need to make sure I update and adjust!


P.s. Not sure I ever blogged about this one, but hey look who's also in this other article on the Etsy blog. ;) 


Goals | April

Photo Cred: Alex Leedy

So April is like, half gone... oops.
I definitely meant to post these sooner but it totally slipped my mind...
In my defense though, I've been so busy acting out this months goals that I just haven't had time to share them!
Mostly.... 


To review, in relation to my March goals I was able to finally finalize and share my core values, which I'm pretty stoked about! As I mentioned on my Facebook page, I think it's super important to have core values so it feels really great having those all written up.
As for a few of my other specific goals, I've started the process of redesigning some pieces for the shop for spring/summer as well as fall/winter and will hopefully have some of those up by the end of the spring.
I also feel pretty good about my ability to maintain a good work routine, but still make time for fun and doing things I love that in turn motivate me to work.
I also feel like I had a lot of realizations as to what some good and not so good environments are for me that I have been trying to work in but haven't been working or have been working in that I need to work in more. (Can I say the word "work" more times in a sentence...?)
 And I've been waking up early again! Hurray!
So all in all I'd say March was pretty great.


My goals for April, as a whole, are actually really simple in and of themselves.
In fact, I'm having the overall theme be: Simplify.
Essentially I'm cleaning out/purging/getting rid of/throwing out a ton.
I could be super specific and detail oriented, in fact I have been, I've made very very detailed lists of how I want to do this and what I want to get rid of. However, I feel that sharing the fine details with you here isn't super neccessary. Not to mention I don't really think it'd be that interesting for you guys to read how exactly I'm dissecting my space up and cleansing it of junk and unneccessary things. 
Although to give you an idea, I'm known as somewhat of a pack rat.
Although I've gotten significantly better over the last few years, I have a lot of previous years of hoarding things that have rather done me in.
 I just have heaps and heaps of stuff that I just really need to part with.
It's honestly just gotten to the point where I'm like "Wait, why do I have this....?" And the answer is so often something to the effect of, "Well... because I've just had it for so long... I never felt like I could get rid of it".
It's a little ridiculous actually. And my overly sentimentality and nostalgia for things doesn't really help.
So overall, I'm just doing a bit a lot of spring cleaning this month.
The goal is to participate in a yard sale at the end of the month, after I try to consign/sell some of the nicer things, so that I can at least hopefully make some money off of some of the stuff I no longer need!
So, while I'm not sharing an itemized list of how exactly I'm cleaning out my space, I will share some inspiration and quotes that are helping me stay motivated in this process!
If you have any to share, I'd love to read them.


April | Simplify


Inspiration


Quotes


  • Collect moments, not things.
  • "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." -Confucius
  • "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" -Leonardo da Vinci
  • "As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness." -Henry David Thoreau
  • "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful." -John Maeda


Jon & Sarah | Engaged

Meet Jon and Sarah.

These two have the sweetest story.
I absolutely loved traveling up to Harrisonburg to shoot their engagement and get to know them better before their wedding in the fall!
It was a little touch and go with the weather all afternoon, but as it turns out the overcast lighting was perfect and it only rained when we were walking from spot to spot. As soon as we stopped to snap photos it stopped! So we definitely were super thankful for that.
These two cuties met at James Madison University, where they are both finishing up school. They even got engaged on JMU's legendary, "Kissing Rock" which you can see in the last few photos.
They definitely got hollered at (people still say "hollered" right...?) by a few students on the quad, which obviously added to the all around fun of the day.
Walking around and having Sarah and Jon point out some favorite spots of theirs around town was definitely my favorite though.
Harrisonburg is a super cute town that I've only visited a handful of times but I always enjoy it when I do.
Could not have asked for a better day or a cuter couple.
But, of course, you can just see for yourself...

//////////

Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Taking Stock

| Follow me on Instagram at @agirlnamedleney | 

 Inspired by Bridget, who was inspired by Sydney, who was inspired by Pip.

//

making: new pretty spring/summer things for the shop. cannot wait to share with you all soon!
cooking: kale. hello new love affair.
drinking: peanut butter and banana smoothies. can't get enough.
reading: love does by bob goff. everyone should read this book. no really. do it.
wanting: to see the baby cheetahs at our zoo already! i mean they're teenagers now. i need to see them before they're all big and old and not as cute.
hurry up: any time i finally get to go to the beach. i am so ready.
looking: for the perfect kimono. because, despite the infatuation i have for this one, i cannot afford it.
playing: these podcasts. love love love them.
wasting: isn't something i feel like i'm doing much of lately.
sewing: nothing at the moment. but i'm thinking about adding some leather things to the shop over the summer...
wishing: i could justify getting this dress
enjoying: time with family
waiting: to see how long all these plants i keep buying are going to live... #blackthumb
liking: this video
wondering: how people just don't eat donuts
loving: coconut oil. who new all of it's miraculous ways? not this girl.
hoping: i can stick to the early hour i've been waking up at this week. because it feels pretty fabulous.
marveling: at new beginnings 
needing: the newest best coast album on vinyl
smelling: rosemary
wearing: grey sweatshirts (i have like... 4... that's okay right...)
following: the adventures of julia and yuriy. always.
noticing: greenery and flowers popping up overnight. so much happiness.
knowing: the the mamas & the papas record i picked up at a vintage shop today will be playing on repeat for a while
thinking: about bleaching my dark blue converses. anyone done this before?
bookmarking: this post. for forever. such a heap of good words. and wonderfulness. please go watch the video that's mentioned here as well.
opening: a bag of banana chips cause these things are the best
giggling: at baby cheetahs. always.
feeling: anticipation 

Core Values

Photo Cred: Meagan Abell

So today I'm sharing my core values with you guys!
I posted them one at a time last week on my Facebook page, but I wanted to do a post with them all together here on the blog.
This is something I've been wanting to do since the beginning of the year so it feels really good to finally have these all written out. It also has just helped me a lot already in staying more focused and motivated when I do any sort of work for my business, I only wish I'd made them sooner!

I've mentioned this before, but I figured I'd go ahead and share this again for you first time readers, I think it's really important to have core values.
Not just for your business, but for your personal life as well.
It helps remind you why you do what you do and keeps you motivated when things get crazy.
Mine end up encompassing a little of both my personal and work life.
Partly because what I do is so much a part of my life, and partly because I put so much of myself into my business and it really is an extension of who I am in so many ways.

They're a little lengthy, but hey, why not be as specific as I want to be, right?
So, without further ado...

// My Core Values // 

1. Do everything with Passion. 
Do my best in whatever situation I'm presented with. 
Stay tremendously interested in things. 
Above all point back to my creator in all that I do because He's the source of all things good. 

2. Be in a state of constant Exploration. 
Seek adventure not just in traveling. 
Challenge myself. 
Always be willing to learn new things. 
Observe the world around me. 

3. Love.
Fall in love with people. Their stories. Their uniqueness and individuality. Love them where they're at, wherever that might be. Fall in love with work. With what I get to do for work. With the process of things. 
Be in love with my life. 
And above all: Remember what love is. 

The simple. The routine. The ordinary. Because there's beauty in all of it. 
Live in a state of thankfulness. Have it be a part of my lifestyle, not just a list. 
Collect moments not things.

5. Create. 
Whether that's knitting a sweater, taking a photo, building a new relationship, or learning how to make really amazing guacamole. 
Make more. 
And in the making, don't be afraid of failure. 
Remember that no great thing is created suddenly. 

6. Dream fearlessly. 
Do not let the world's standards or definitions of what's possible define who I am, what I want to be or where I want to go. Have vision and drive for doing and being better. 
Never settle. Aim high. Go confidently. 

7. Inspire. 
Help others discover their dreams and passions by simply pursuing my own. 
Pursue excellence. 
Encourage and motivate others to be the best that they can be. 

8. Be Leney.
Authentic. Confident. Unique. Genuine. Whether that's the donut obsessed Leney, the avid picture taking Leney, the never not knitting Leney, the Leney who likes to dance to cheesy pop music or the Leney who likes getting on buses alone to find a new adventure at the other end. 
Remember that comparison is the thief of joy and to not let my vision of who I want to be obscure my view of who I actually am. 

///////

What about you?
Do you have any core values? 
Whether they're personal, or for your own business, I'd love to hear them!

Megan & Joel | Engaged

Meet Megan and Joel.

This couple initially contacted me about doing their wedding because they loved all the pictures of Richmond that I've been taking lately and, being in love with this city themselves, they wanted their engagement and wedding photos to reflect that.
And, if I may say so without sounding too conceited, I think I'm definitely the perfect person to help them achieve this. Because if there's one thing I love, and that I love taking photos of, it's this city of mine.

We weren't able to shoot at the old GRTC bus depot, like we originally wanted, so we opted for walking around The Fan instead and shooting at pretty spots we found along the way. 
I could not be more in love with the results!
Of course this is mostly attributed to these two being so stunningly gorgeous together, but of course it helped too that I got to shoot in one of my favorite places.
Inspiration always strikes more frequently when you're in surroundings you love.
And oh RVA how I love you.

Can't wait to shoot your wedding Megan and Joel!
Thanks for choosing me to be a part of it.

♥

//////////

Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Recipe | Kale Chips


So I made some kale chips yesterday.
And they were delicious.
And because a few of you asked about it, I thought I'd share the recipe with you today!
It's so easy it doesn't even really need a recipe.
Disclaimer: I am by no means a cook/chef/baker of any kind, but I have been getting better at 1. Eating healthy as I resolved earlier this year and 2. Actually practicing my cooking skills/make things from scratch more often.
I have to say it's been a lot of fun and I really have been loving learning how to make new things and experimenting while I make them.

So here's a recipe for kale chips.
I combined a few of the recipes I found.

| You will need |
Kale
1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (I used this kind)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Parchment paper 
Large bowl
Baking sheet


1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix ingredients in a large bowl
3. Tear up kale into whatever size pieces you desire and put them into the bowl
4. Work the ingredients into the kale with your hands until they are good and covered
5. Spread evenly on the parchment paper covered baking sheet
6. Put in the oven for 12-15 minuts
7. Take out when they're done and good and crispy (they'll be dark green, a little brown in some places. You might need to put some of the leaves back in for a bit if they are still floppy)
8. Let them cool
9. Enjoy!


I think my next venture is going to be Quinoa...