Before we started this business, I had what I like to call my rotating obsessions. . . reading, writing, photography, baking, gardening, crafting, decorating, sewing. . . aaaannnd repeat. When I was into one I was ALL in. Hence the term "obsession." But then I would get bored and move on to the next one. I was not the best mutlitasker.
I often hear you should try to do something you love so your job doesn't feel like a job. This is true. . . unless you have hobby ADD like I do! Now I can't get bored and move on to my next interest.
But somehow I still manage to be ADD in my job. It just took on a new form. That is part of the reason we don't make one thing. In fact, we almost never make the same thing twice! Which is why making a gazillion Christmas ornaments is taxing my patience. I love them, but I can't sit and finish 24 of one item. I rotate.
I rotate EVERYTHING, in fact: Paint furniture, make pillows, craft ornaments, sew an apron, make a wreath. . .aaannnd repeat!
This ADD in crafting leads to a lot of one of kind pieces, because even though I love it, and it may sell the day I put it in the shop, do I go make three, four, a dozen more? No. I find something else that looks fun to make.
Hence the plethora of unique one-of-a-kind pillows that have rotated through our booth/etsy store/ bazaar.
{Muslin pillow back, Muslin pillow front with gathered swirl, White felt flowers on cream cotton}
I like pillows.
{White and cream felt flowers on white cotton}
They are quick from conception to completion and I love instant gratification.
{Black painted Virginia Woolf silhouette with box pleat ruffle, Jane Austen painted silhouette with gathered border, white flannel rosettes on white flannel}
Plus, they are like little statement pieces in a room.
{White felt flowers with green felt leaves on cream cotton--top: box pleat white cotton ruffle; Bottom: white cotton piping}
And when you get bored with that statement, which you can bet I will, you can change it with little time or expense.
{Ruffled cream muslin}
It might be a crazy way to run a business, but luckily I have Lisa to keep me on track. And it works for me.
{Gray felt dahlia flower on white cotton with gathered border, white felt flowers on white dot cotton fabric, bead embellished embroidered snowflakes on gray and white felt with gathered white cotton borders, gray painted bird on branch silhouetted on white cotton with gray piping}
