Sometimes you just need to ask for help...

You know, owning and running your own business may seem like a fairy tale dream come true, but I have to admit I'm absolutely exhausted! Not only do I run Flying Cloud, but I'm also a maker, selling my wares at a few local shops and online, I  work part-time on an animated television series and I volunteer as President of the Hants County Arts Council. So when I woke up with a cold the other other day, I finally took a much needed break (only my 3rd day off since March!) and started to think "maybe I should ask for some help?"


Going into the Self Employment Benefits program I was confident that thanks to my extensive background in various forms of production, I had a good handle on everything that needed to be done to open and run my business. Perhaps I was a little cocky, but for the most part I was able to identify everything that I needed and wanted to do and was pretty sure I was capable of doing it all myself... but the reality is I only have two hands and there are only 24hrs in a day... and my to-do lists could keep 3 of me busy!


The key to the success of every business I've worked for in the past has been the strength of their teams. Here at Flying Cloud our team is pretty small, other than the help from a few of my loyal friends (I'm not sure I can actually count the cats - although their companionship and undying love does help float me along), overall I do most of the work myself. 


That being said, I have a pretty long list of things I'd like to accomplish each day. I'm quickly finding out that what ever is currently a priority will always bump the best of my intentions to the bottom of the list - one of those being blogging on a regular basis and keeping you all up to date with the on-goings here. I just have to say that lately I've felt like an old friend that meant to write you that letter but just kept putting it off... so I apologize for not keeping in touch and I promise I will remedy that!


My ideal would be to update you daily about each and every one of the fabulous artists currently represented in the shop and the creative products they have come up with... and I'm sure that soon enough I'll get into a routine where I can find the time to sit down daily and share a bit of the Flying Cloud world with you all... but in the meanwhile I'll ask that you all bear with me while we work through our growing pains and I finally ask for some much needed help!


The top item on my to-do list as of late has been the planning of our grand opening and  our first summer party. One longstanding task on my wish list has been to convert our garage doors into a fantabulous mural of Blomidon with Sylvia flying through the sky. Seeing as I'm not much of a painter myself I have asked a few of the talented members of the Hants County Arts Council to join me and show off some of their mad skills. 

Jaki Durocher from Inspire Art School will be on hand providing some tips for working on larger scale images and bringing out the subtle details in nature. Accompanying Jaki will be the fiery Kelly Mitchelmore, who I'm hoping will bring out her knives and work a little of her magic. Also on hand will be Carlos Da Rosa, who is known for his vivid landscapes, as well as water colourists June Brown and Dora Davis - who I'm sure will bring their own sense of tranquility to the project.


Throughout the afternoon Patricia Dillon will be holding workshops for children demonstrating her beaded mosaics and at 2pm we are lucky enough to have Christina Martin providing some musical entertainment.


So far the 23rd is shaping up to be a fantastic afternoon - and all I had to do to make it happen was ask for a little help from my friends :)


So next time I find my aspirations seem a bit larger than me, I'm just going to remind myself it's okay to ask for help. 

We have lift off!

As the first grandchild I inherited the Reed boy's dinky collection. My number one favorite vehicle of all time instantly became, and remains, the Volkswagen Camper.


My miniature van was silver with doors that opened to reveal a orange table with benches, an environment I could easily picture myself traveling the world in. 

Since my early days spent dreaming of exploring nature via my tiny home on wheels I have been captivated by small metal living spaces. 

During elementary school my neighbour had a giant metal Winnebago toy that I overly coveted.  As a child of seven I  made myself the promise that one day I would own my own (and I wouldn't be nearly quite so rough on it). 


I have yet to find my Winnebago replica, but I've come across something even better!

At long last I am able to share something I've been working on for months... years even! This weekend I will be going to collect the latest addition to our family - a 1955 Flying Cloud Airstream trailer. 

She's an absolute beaute! This shiny vagabond allows for me to fulfill two of my life long dreams at once... over the next few  months the silver lady will be in the hands of the very able free-cycle carpenter Gary, where she will be converted into a whimsical Nova Scotia Art and Artisan Boutique.

Yesterday I received a long awaited phone call from the government of Nova Scotia announcing that I have been accepted into the Self Employment Business program; starting this Sunday my business has lift off!

The program will allow me funds and access to valuable workshops to help ensure my business venture is a success!

I've got a massive amount of tasks ahead of me over the next few months. The application process took much longer than I had anticipated, so I'm already over a month behind on my schedule. Luckily almost every project I've worked on over the last 5 years has been that way, so I'm a pro at getting many things done at once with minimal time... I love a good challenge and I've been waiting for this one for quite some time - so bring it on! 

I'm excited about this new door that is opening and all the amazing people I'm going to meet along the way. I plan on sharing the entire process with you all as we grow and evolve. 


I'm so thankful for this opportunity and hope to prove that I am proof that if you follow your heart you can make your dreams come true. I know that sounds really corny but I've always had faith and known what I've wanted for myself and have been fairly confident that it would happen - now I just have to jump aboard and live it... it's all right there in front of me. So what do you say, wanna come along for the ride?