Monday, February 10, 2025

Payment Processing Platforms For Small Businesses

 


Payment Processing Platforms For Small Businesses


Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! POS systems, and different payment processing platforms for a small business has been a topic discussed quite often lately with different Facebook groups. Mostly in the groups for vendors. 

I have seen that most of these systems charge about the same for fees. Sometimes you’ll find a service that has a monthly charge. Some of the services are good for accepting credit cards which customers do tend to spend a little more when they can use a card. Many sellers have seen more sales with card payments accepted. Some people still like to pay with cash too. 

Some of your platforms to consider for use with card payments, and some also offer keeping track of inventory for you too. Square is used by quite a few vendors. There is also Shopify, and Stripe too. Another one that has been around for a long time is PayPal. PayPal has Zettle that accepts credit cards too. 

Some vendors will only accept cash, and checks from those they know too. If you don’t want to carry cash, but still pay with it. You might consider using Cash App, Venmo is also popular, and there is Zelle too. 

With some of these payment services you will have a device, and the docket with it to use. Using these services you can use these readers that are handheld, some of them you will swipe the card, and some of them have the touch and tap feature too. You can also get the small readers that connect into your phone to use too. 

Long time ago I had bought the device with the dock from Square. Unfortunately, since we have moved I am not sure where it is. I have seen many people use Square, and Cash App or Venmo. Shopify, and Cash App or Venmo too. There are some who like to use PayPal and Zettle, and Zelle or also Venmo too. Some of these are capable of accepting Apple and the wallet too. PayPal, Zettle, Zelle, and Venmo are all connected some how, or a part of PayPal. 

I pretty much am starting over with things. I am hoping to do some vendor shows more towards Fall, and seasonal times too. Since I’m not sure where my Square reader and deck are I have chosen to buy the reader and dock with PayPal Zettle. That should arrive next week for me. I will also offer payments of cash, and to use Venmo too. Another thing to keep in mind is that some of these services require you to have a business account with them. After all these years with PayPal I finally turned it on for business. No extra charge for it. a 1099 form will be received at the end of the year from whatever platform you chose to use. You can print or send receipts, you can invoice, and etc. 

I have enjoyed your visit at LilacsNDreams today. Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you again. You are always welcome to leave a comment, share something, and message me too. Thanks again everyone. Take care!





Monday, February 3, 2025

Repurpose Reuse Restyle Upcycle Handmade DIY

 

Repurpose Reuse Restyle Upcycle Handmade DIY

Hello to all visiting today! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! My first of the year plans have not gone completely like I was wanting it to be. I was hoping by now I would be creating, doing some handmade items, repurposing and restyling a few pieces. Instead I have been going through things in basement. Slowly donating some things, some containers have gone to storage, and  have been posting things on FB Marketplace too. I’ve had a couple of items sell within about 5 minutes of them posting. That feels good when that happens. So I have been dealing with downsizing, and organizing of things right now. 

I have ideas of what I want to craft when I am able to work on things. Do some handmade, do some repurposing, and just sit down to create things. A lot of thoughts on mind, many notes made, and wishing I could wiggle my nose to make everything else be done so I could work on making some things. Get my crafting on!

So, what I mostly have been working with…besides the organizing in basement and donations…is with my blog here, following different FB groups that deal with crafting and vendor fairs, and watching my domain renewals. What to keep, not keep, or start up. I have been reading, and following what people have been doing with organizing their booth layouts. Also, things shared about payment services used, any issues, and questions being answered by many. It’s nice to see the input from so many others, and the sharing from everyone. I like so many things other crafters are sharing with items they are creating. They are doing so well! It seems like many people have been making a lot of the same things. It’s great, love it, but I also want to be able to incorporate a few things of my own too. Putting my own touch to things making it just a little bit different than what others are offering.

Below is a picture of a divided dish pedestal stand I had made. I really did like making these along with angels too. Many have been making angels, and I love them! Many are using all the same products to make the Angels, very close to same designs, etc. This is where again I would like to add a little of my own touch that they would stand out a little more for being just a little different. Making them a little more unique. This is where thrifting comes in very handy, and prices are reasonable that I can acquire a few more pieces to mix, match, and work with.



So, with a little imagination some of the old items can be like new again, and once conventional things can  become unique. I’m hoping for us all to learn some things, share some things, and be inspired with Repurpose, Reuse, Restyle, Upcycle, Handmade, DIY with LilacsNDreams.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visit, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and be safe!






Monday, January 27, 2025

Repurposed Upcycled Restyle Reuse Pedestal Plate Stands

 


Repurposed Upcycled Restyle Reuse Pedestal Plate Stands

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I wanted to share some pictures from when I first started to repurpose, and upcycle things. The Pedestal Cake Plate Stands were some of my first items I made. There are so many uses for these items! Cake Plate Stands, serving plate stands, jewelry dish stands, soap stands, bathroom organize stands, office stands, kitchen stands, decorative pedestal stands, candle pedestal stands, and the possibilities are endless! I used different sized plates, and items to make these stands. Dinner plates, sandwich plates, dishes, bowls, etc. A lot of the bases were made from different candle holders. To be a little more creative for the bases I would also use decorative coffee mugs, a lonely vintage glass goblet, sometimes a decorative bowl too. Sometimes I united items, and offered them as is. Then, I had other times that I would be creative, and add a little lace, ribbon, use some sheet music, maybe add a glass globe to the plate stands too. Possibilities were endless, and so much fun to create too. It all depended on my inspiration at the time of creating such pieces. I even started to dabble a little bit with 2 - 3 tier plate stands too. 

I enjoyed making these pieces, and am happy to say I had some happy customers with their purchases too. Back then you didn’t see a whole lot of these plate stands being made. Due to circumstances with health, and family I had gotten away from these creations for quite some time. 

Since I have been trying to get back into crafting again I have been researching, and looking around to see what a lot of popular things are being made. I have seen many using dollar tree items to make these plate stands. I have seen dollar tree selling the tier plate stands too. I have made a tier tray using the round white plastic lattice designed tray, and I made another pedestal stand using a white ceramic candle holder with a round white plastic lattice tray that I added a piece of material to the flat tray area. I really like creating these pieces, and hope to incorporate a few in with other items I make. 

With this smaller pedestal plate stand I also made the decorative little balls with it. Customer loved the extra touch I included with the stand.

My first 3 tier plate stand I had made using some extra vintage plates that I had

The bottom bigger plate in this stand came from an estate of a woman who had received this as a gift with their wedding

I used a different pedestal. A metal candle stand I painted white to blend in with the season


This was a fun fall pedestal plate stand that I had made. I am selective with my pieces, and this look like new when it was done

Red glass candle holder used with this plate stand

I used a wooden candle holder, cheese plate with the glass dome. Painted the wood black. Around the middle, and on the cheese plate I added some old sheet music. Around the neck of this stand I did add some white satin ribbon too

I sooo loved this pink glass plate stand I had put together. Pink glass candle holder, and a squarish pink glass plate were united making this beautiful piece. I know a business bought this from me so they could use it in their business with some of their displays in the store.

This was made from a vintage plate that I had, and a vintage perfume bottle that had no topper to it.


This was 2 matching glass designed clear glass bowls united together, and then united with a glass candle holder making this a unique bowl stand. 

Great pink glass bowl pedestal stand. I was excited when I found the pink glass pieces to unite making this  unique stand

This was a small christmas sandwich plate united with a green glass candle holder

Small christmas plate united to a red glass candle holder

Small pink rose vintage dish with a chubby clear glass candle holder for the base

This is the finished product, and below is a picture with the lace cover pulled up to show the pieces united for this. Glass fish bowl, glass candle holder, a wide lace ribbon, and then a thin pink satin ribbon latticed around the neckline that was then tied into a simple bow


Small blue glass candle holder united with a small blue and white dish

This is another picture of the black and glass cloche stand I had made shown in one of the above pictures. Here I decorated it a little bit for inspiration for it’s use

One of my first pedestal stands using a small vintage pink rose plate united to a glass candle holder, and a pink ribbon bow tied into the center

2 small vintage pink rose plates united with a glass candle holder in the center making a 2 tier plate stand

Designed glass bowl united with a glass candle holder for this bowl stand

Round glass bowl united with a wide base glass candle holder making another pedestal bowl stand

This unique pedestal bowl stand was made uniting a designed glass bowl, and a square shaped glass candle holder

This vintage dinner plate was united with a blue glass vintage bowl for this pedestal stand. I loved making pieces like this because you could use it as the plate stand, or flip it over to use the bowl base as a candy dish, candle holder with flowers arranged around the plate, and so on. Many many possibilities with bigger bases that could be used for something too. Just flip it over, and be creative

This tier stand was done with 2 plastic lattice trays from dollar tree. A ceramic candle holder was used to unite the pieces.

Another white plastic lattice tray with a cloth cut, and attached to the center. Ceramic candle holder was used for the pedestal stand

Sorry for so many pictures. I really did enjoy crafting these pedestal stands. Could make them plain with decorative pieces united, add some lace, add some cloth, make 2 and 3 tier stands, the possibilities are endless. One of a kind pieces for your homes, and given as gifts too.

 I do hope you enjoyed what I shared today. I take pleasure in sharing , and I have hopes maybe it will help to inspire you with your own creativity. Remember, if you do not want to create it yourself you can always search for someone who does make things like this, or what you may want. Adorable unique pedestal stands that have their own uniqueness. Being creative is fun, and I take joy in making others happy too.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you, and hope to see you again. Take care, and have fun with everything.







Monday, January 20, 2025

Space Above Our Kitchen Cabinets What to Do

 


Space Above Our Kitchen Cabinets  What to Do

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Lately I have noticed different discussions, and articles about that space that is above the kitchen cabinets. The gap that is at the top of the cabinet, and to the ceiling. Most kitchens have about a 1-2 foot space. 

You can either leave it empty, look at it, look at it again, wonder what to do, and think about it. You might look around the internet, or some of your facebook groups for some answers. No rules what to do with that space which is great. There are so many choices, and possibilities to do. Do as you wish, and what works for you that you will be comfortable with.

Many people will use it as a storage area. Items not used often, or mostly for like holidays or special occasions. Some choose to add decorative shelves, some will add some cubbies, and many will use it as an open display area. Show some cookbooks, display some decorative dishes, different vases, some of your collectibles, plants, baskets, and decorate with items that will accent your kitchen decor. I have seen different lighting added, remote control candles, shiplap added, a backsplash added, or some decorative wallpaper too. Another idea I have seen is with some wood beams that looked really nice. You don’t always have to do anything. You can decide to do nothing too. 

Do something simple

Show off some of your favorite things

Displaying different plates looks really good

Incorporate some of your baskets, trays, vases, add a few cubbies spaces to decorate

Show off some of your collectibles

No certain items. Just a little of this, and little of that

Show case some of your collectives from travels, different visits, special times

I Love the look with the wood beams! You wouldn’t have to really decorate with anything else. Depends on the space that you have.

Great for seasonal holiday decorating with remote candles too

Christmas decorative with some lighting looks very nice

All the pictures I am sharing with you are ideas from FB Groups, google, and Pinterest is another great place to look for things too. I wish I could find pictures of how I had ours done years ago when we lived on an acreage. I had so much fun with it! I had some colored wooden folding shutters with some of my vintage cans, and vintage cheese graters displayed. Then on the other cupboards I displayed my different Pyrex bowls of different sizes I had. The empty wall at the end of the cupboards I then had all my old enamel pans hanging that are pink, and the aqua colored ones. I am sooo sorry! I really wish I could find these pictures to show you, but I think they were on my computer that had been stolen back in that time frame.

So, if you have cupboards like this, and not quite sure what to do, I hope I was able to give you some ideas that could lead into other ideas too. Be creative, show some of your creations and crafts that you have made, your collectibles, and so on. The possibilities are endless. Have some fun!

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Have fun with all you do! Take care, and see you again soon.