Life Update & Shop Redesign

 

I've spend the last few days redesigning my shop aesthetic and logo... Check it out! I used a website called Canva to design them and I really like how they turned out. I felt like my old designs didn't really fit my personality anymore so I feel motivated by the change to focus more on my hobbies and art.

It has been hard for me to find balance in the last year and a half. I am a first time mom and really had to put my hobbies aside to focus on figuring out how to raise a baby! My daughter is growing up so fast and I have learned a lot in the short time we've been together. She just started sleeping in her own room so that has definitely given me the opportunity to focus on my interest during naps times and after shes gone to bed for the night. I feel like this redesign is perfect to give me a new start. 

I think I have also progressed from novice to an intermediate level in a few on my hobbies. I'm thankful for the break I took from posting my stuff online because that gave me the opportunity to experiment with new projects and designs without the added pressure of making perfect finished pieces. I am extremely confident in my crocheting abilities and feel as if there isn't a project I couldn't tackle. I've taught myself to be proficient in reading shorthand and my tension is consistent.

I've taken up a new hobby: sewing! I have yet to master this craft but I am enjoying the journey of learning. I started by making lavender sachets and dresses for my daughter, then I tried quilting, and now I am currently designing my own shell/stone collecting bags. My mother gave me her sewing machine which is a 1973 Singer Scholastic. It is super loud and a little rickety but it sews just about anything! My goal is to save up enough money for a new sewing machine because it does have an issue with the bobbin tension.

Here is my stone collecting bag 3.0. I will make a separate blog post talking about how I designed and sew it so other people can make them as well. I would also like to sell a few of them on my Etsy shop once they are perfect.

One of my goals for 2023 is to set up a table at a local craft fair. I became a little discouraged when I saw some of the vendor fees but I'm not going to let that get me down. I found a smaller venue a few towns over with an affordable fee and less strict set up perimeters I've set my sights on. It is in the spring so I am going to focus on making things I think could bring joy to other people.

Overall I am optimistic for the future and excited to continue perfecting my craft. I would also like to design my own toddler dress to sell as well as make more affordable crochet objects like pumpkins and scrubbies so that there is something for everyone's price range.

Last but not least! I got a new puppy in October! Her name is Rainy and she is an American Eskimo and Pomeranian mix. Shes a quiet and reserved dog until she gets comfortable around you and then shes super playful and happy! One of the reasons I got a dog was to have her bark when people were at the front door...turns out she is the quietest Pom-mix dog that has ever existed and only barks every now and then. It's a blessing to have a quiet dog with a baby though. I have been training her and she already has a few tricks down. I feel like its really hard to open your heart to a new animal after losing a friend of so many years but I am happy she is a part of our family.

My next blog post will be about the things I have crocheted since the last time we talked and my sewing projects! 

♡