I've loved making and selling handmade things over the past six and a half years, but it's time for a change! There are a lot of reasons for this but a big part of it is that juggling my handmade shop with my other projects means that one side of my business is always a bit neglected as there's just not enough hours in the week to do both - not without going crazy from overwork, anyway! Instead of continuing to not-very-successfully juggle both sides of my business, I've decided to take the leap of picking a side and devoting all my working time and energy to it.
Making a big change like this is quite scary (okay, very scary!) but it feels like the right direction for me at the moment. I love designing things and I'm excited about having more time in my week (and space in my brain!) to do this.
I'm still going to be doing lots of crafting, and blogging about it here... and actually I'm going to have more time for blogging than usual this autumn/winter, so expect more free crafty tutorials, book reviews and other fun stuff :)
And though I'm discontinuing all my current designs (all the brooches, headbands, masks & other handmade things I currently sell in my shops), I'll still be selling a few handmade things from time to time, as I'll have samples from tutorials that'll be in need of a good home.
There will also be lots of new PDF patterns popping up in my shop(s) next year ... including tutorials for making some of my most popular designs, like the British Birds. (Psst - if there's a particular design of mine that you'd love to see as a PDF tutorial, do let me know!).
I'm excited about this new direction, and I hope you guys will be too xxx
So, I'm having a big clearance sale to sell off all my current stock! All my handmade items (the brooches, headbands, masks, ornaments, etc) in my shops are now on sale - at least 50% off their original price. Hurrah!
The biggest range of stock is available in my Big Cartel shop, but you can also shop in my Etsy, Folksy or DaWanda shops.
Sounds to me that this really is the perfect direction for you. I hope that also means a bit of time for catch up in person ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you've made the right choice! :-) Designing stuff is the best part of all the process to me. Can't wait to read about and see all your new projects! :-)
ReplyDeleteI say..follow your heart and the rest will fall into place! I have been doing a lot of soul searching with my art and the direction I want to take it in as well as how I want to present it online. Also I've been thinking about other activities I feel are calling me. So I know what you might be feeling♥
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your decision! Definitely a great move for you....best of luck x
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you! I had an inkling that you might be going in this direction :) I know just how you feel though as that's where I'm headed with Tumus at the end of this year.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary and I'm not sure exactly how to go about doing what I plan/want to do but I have picked up some good mentors and am making connections I never dreamed of.
You've laid alot of ground work for this new direction and like I've always rallied on about, you have to know when to say WHEN :)
Feel free to drop me a line sometime soon and as always best of luck!
It looks like the right choice for you and I have to say this is a brave decision to make, I admire you for being able to make it. Very excited for you too!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone xxx
ReplyDeleteLaura - thank you! We must definitely try and have a catch up cuppa sometime xx
Manu - thanks! It is so much fun designing new things, I am really looking forward to doing more of that :)
Jennifer - excellent motto to have! I have thought about all this stuff so much this year, when you're doing something that's "passion" related like art or other creative pursuits, it's so important to listen to your heart as well as your business brain!
Tumus - Thank you!! This year has been so crazy, but I will be in touch sometime soon :)
A very big step - congratulations! I'm a bit envious - in the good sense - I'd like to be able to make a change like that myself. Reading about that was encouraging :)
ReplyDeletegood luck! I just saw that your folksy shop was closing, wondered why. I'm glad it's for a GOOD reason!
ReplyDeletebairozan - thank you! There is going to be lots of hard work to make this new direction go as planned but I feel great for taking that first leap of making the decision :)
ReplyDeleteHeather - thanks! xx I might end up re-opening my Folksy shop again in future when I've got a range of patterns for sale... it will feel strange not having one after all these years selling there!