Anti-Climax

I DID do it, after all. I loaded up the stuff I've been working on and took it on down to the store.

And the owner wasn't there.

Note to self: call first next time. I got myself all lathered up over nothing.

Well, not exactly nothing. I did go to two other boutiques (wearing some of my clothes) and just inquired if they would be interested in seeing more. The first boutique--one of my favorites in Golden--said they would love to, but they are going out of business. They told me to sell in a street fair that happens in April, though, and they took my number to give to the next owner (who is going to specialize in handmade clothing. Watch out now). The third boutique also said they were interested, but I don't think it was my vibe.

Here's the thing. I don't know if I want to sell in boutiques. Because they have to take their cut, you know? And I don't want to jack my prices up super-high.

There's Etsy, I guess, but I'm nervous about learning to take good pictures and having to spend a bunch of time on marketing. I want to keep things light and fun and easy.

So, maybe the street fair will be the option.

Mulling, mulling.

A Not So Crafty Christmas

I had plans. Big plans. Everyone was going to receive homemade gifts from me for the holidays, and those gifts wouldn't be lame (like they have sometimes been in the past). They'd be nice. Things you'd think were bought from the store. This would be in keeping with my move toward consuming less and valuing others more with my time and energy.

And then, the last few months exploded, leaving icky bits all around. I didn't plan well enough for one of my classes last summer, and then when things got crazy in the fall with the snowstorms and the pig flu and the travel, that not-planning bit me in the ass (ouch!). As we speak, I'm trying to recover from the abject failure that was one of these classes this semester (the other one went fine, I think). Ick. Ick. Ick. Doesn't help that I have a big professional review coming up and am probably going to have to explain some baaaad student evaluations for this last semester.

So, I'm getting real. Taking a deep breath. Allowing moments of grace in. Like the fact that most of the adults in my life offered to not trade gifts this year, instead focusing our energies on the little ones in the family. That's a huge relief. Like the fact that I'm in a career that allows for some failures now and then. I'm probably not going to be fired tomorrow. Like the fact that I had an hour late last night where I could just sit and listen to my needles moving back and forth in the dark stillness of my house, without feeling pressure to finish.

I guess it's this: I love making things. But I don't like having to make things. For me, making things is a time to disengage from duty and responsibility and my incessant brain chatter. If it becomes obligatory, the joy goes out of it. I'm all about finding opportunities to feel less obliged. So I'm just going to respect that, and celebrate a less-hectic holiday, which is exactly what this one is shaping up to be.

Glory, Hallelujah (or Honolulu, as my girls would say).