That is how my brain feels...jumbled. On top of that, I'm still a little sick! Unfortunately, I also made Eric sick. It's just a cold but he felt so bad yesterday he had to stay home from work. I got up and made him some yummy chicken soup in the crockpot and baked a fresh loaf of bread to go with it. It was nice to have him home on a day I was off of work but not under the circumstances of course. I tried to be motivated enough to work on projects for my business. I finished one whole set of items yesterday and started on a second set. Lately, I'm beginning to wonder if it is really worth all of my time and effort. Handmade items are so time consuming. On top of that, have you priced craft supplies or fabric? They're not cheap! Put those two things together plus the fact that people don't like paying a ton of money for something they can buy much cheaper at a store - how is anyone supposed to make a profit? Oh wait, maybe that's why it's so difficult to run a business...
Despite my indecisive feelings about continuing down the road of selling handmade, I've finally decided to start selling gift sets in my shop. I've already been making these for custom orders anyway so it makes sense. To keep them at a somewhat reasonable price, I'm going to charge $50 for the set plus $10 shipping (I mail everything USPS Priority Mail which is not cheap) and hope to God they sell. Sets include a simple cotton + flannel blanket that's approximately 40x40, a burp cloth and two bibs.
I'm sort of starting to think that I'll continue to make these until I run out of fabric and then I'll quit selling online. I will definitely continue making custom orders for friends and family members. Although, I'm not sure what I'll do with all the blankets and such that won't sell on my website. Gift them, donate them, etc.? I'm just too far in to quit right now. In reality, I've just purchased too much fabric (whoops). Eventually Eric and I will have kids and then I can use some of that fabric to make nursery items, toys, clothes, etc. but there's only so much fabric I actually need for that kind of stuff!
Lately, I've been more into needle arts than sewing so I'm going to have an abundance of knit/crochet items lying around. I've decided to open a second Etsy shop (what?! I know...) to put those items up for sale. The difference between this Etsy shop and my current Etsy shop is that this is more of just an outlet for me so there's no pressure to create anything. I'll just put new items on there as I complete them - if they sell, great! If not, I'm not sweating it. Which is such a relief from the way I feel about my other shop. My awesome sister-in-law, Kelsey, is currently in the process of making me a neat little logo for this shop. Basically, it's going to be my catch all. I've already technically opened the shop but there is nothing for sale yet. I've actually almost finished the very first item I'll list on there.
On another note, it's already July which means I should be fully focused on creating all of my Christmas presents. In short, that is not happening at the moment. I have three gifts partially started but I have made no real progress in weeks. This is what happens when I take on too much, want to give too much and then realize I'm in over my head. Eventually, I'll get them completed but I would rather that be sooner than later since we will most likely be buying a house in a few months. I always tell myself, next year I won't take on too much! And then I do...story of my life.
I think change is coming although it may be slow and I must be patient. I forgot to stop and appreciate all of the wonderful things I do have: a loving husband, a wonderful + loving family, great friends, a stable job, a really nice apartment, a drive to always create and learn, money to do things we enjoy, money to visit those wonderful family and friends and so much more.
That's all for now!
