I started my little business in the spring of '09. And since then it's been steadily growing and making a decent contribution to the household. More than that, I'm able to do what I love and share it with the world. As I sat pondering between shoppers yesterday, I thought, would I be just as happy making only for myself and loved ones? And truly, the answer is no. Sure, my children love my toys and end up with a good many of them, but they only need so much. Even if I were to make toys for every child I know, a) that's actually a lot of expense that rests on me and b) I've got a lot of ideas that I want to create and still, children only need so many toys. So I create for your children (or you) and I'm able to work out all the many variations that are bumping around in my head and making for profit pushes me to always be coming up with more and I love that! I love the creative process. I don't love, however, that I'm about to spend this beautiful day making 33 tiny gnomes...
Now, please don't get me wrong. I love what I do and the fact that my business is growing and I can make this financial contribution to my family. I just also am wishing I had more time for said family. Some days I feel like putting my needles away all day so that I can take walks and craft with the girls, or perhaps even use those needles to make something for my children. It's really been quite a while since they've had any new mama knits.
I'm not thinking of closing shop. I'm trying to think of different ways to achieve a little balance and make more time for the things that are really important to me. Right now I'm leaning towards a very set computer time schedule and maybe nixing 'made to order' from the shop. You would still be able to purchase the items I make now, but not until I'm ready to make them up and relist them. I don't know, I think it may work. Shop owners, how do you do this? What works for you and what is maddening?
2 little girls I met at the Big crafty selling their handmade potholders.
Obviously, there is no giveaway for today, but I do have winners of last week's giveaway.
Terri Sue
and
Star
I've already emailed you both. Get back to me with your pattern choices and I'll send them to you right away!
Terri Sue
and
Star
I've already emailed you both. Get back to me with your pattern choices and I'll send them to you right away!
Logging you in...
Lenka · 699 weeks ago
I get a lot of advice about how to grow our business. And I say, "thank you.". And file it away for another day. It's hard for people to believe, but we don't want to keep growing. We're happy being small. My family and my health comes first. And if that means we sell a few kits a month, that's fine.
Balance is a challenge. Our crafts feel our energy, so it is important to keep the crafting fun and not a chore. Good luck with your decisions. For us, less is more :)
Best wishes!
Lenka · 699 weeks ago
Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} · 699 weeks ago
Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} · 699 weeks ago
When my dad got sick with cancer I shut it down completely so I could be with him and I actually haven't reopened yet. There are days where I miss it and the money and I know I will start again at some point because I really did love and do love doing it but for now I'm continuing to keep it closed and pour my craftiness out on my family :) Your heart will lead you to what is best for you and your family :) As for the made to order orders those can totally suck! LOL. I always let them know that it was going to take a few extra days to get something made or up to a week if it was a really large order and either they are willing to wait the extra time or not. I found I had to grow a tougher skin and not be in a total pleaser mode all the time so I could think more about myself and what I could do *grin*. That's to bad about the craft fair to :( I wonder if it is to do with the economic times because it seems to be really slow around here at the fairs as well. Hopefully the next one will be a big hit for you! Hugs.
Sarah · 699 weeks ago
I am frantically prepping for a craft fair this weekend while simultaneously filling orders and trying to do personal Christmas crafting . . . it's getting stressful for sure! But, like you said, I love it, so how can I stop?? Sorry to hear your fair didn't go so well. We all have those and then we have great ones to balance it out - remember that!
Tricia(CrunchyMomma) · 699 weeks ago
katieh · 699 weeks ago
but anyway...
I've done made to order, and I've done sell what i've got, and although I do the odd custom order now, I really won't go back to making to order - it was a background buzz of stress for me, even when I didn't have children. Now I'm a parent to littlies I just can't be sure that that block of time I think I have is really going to be there.
weirdly I dye more when i'm working only to my schedule - probably because i can order things logically and not have to jump through dye hoops to get an order out.
but your mileage might vary. obviously.
Huggermugger · 699 weeks ago
In the past, I would only list what I have already made, but also mention in the listing that I'm willing to do custom orders for specific colors/quantities/etc as time permits, and that people interested in a custom order should convo me. That's got me the occasional custom order, but mostly I just sold things I already had on hand. It does mean you have a pretty big inventory taking up space in your house if you want to have a good variety in your shop, but it also means you don't get stressed out all the time like you are now.
You could always try a combo strategy, like having quick-to-work-up items available on-demand, and more complex items only listed when you have them made up already.
Laura · 699 weeks ago
Autumn · 698 weeks ago
Brandy · 698 weeks ago