Catablog · Etsy · me · new puff quilt design
Important Life Changing Announcement Here…
I don’t know how to write this post. This my third try. It’s a hard thing for me to say, since I admitting it to all of you will make it more final. So I’ll just put it out there:
I’m closing my shop. Indefinitely.
This has been something I’ve been considering for quite some time. The fact is, I am enjoying my work less and less. And I feel like I’ve been doing a bad job at being a good mother and supportive wife. My kids need me. My husband needs me. {{And my house really needs some cleaning.}}
And most of what I’ve been giving them is the in-between work moments. If my only job was to work, I’d do it…I’d just focus my energy on it and do a great job. If my only job was to be a mom and wife, I’d do that great too.
But I’ve given myself two full-time jobs and I’m afraid I’m doing both halfway.
I started my Etsy shop to give myself something to do, and a way to share my creativity with the world. For the first six months I didn’t really push it, but once I started making the onesies I started getting really busy. It picked up so quickly that I was not prepared for the huge juggling act that I’d just brought upon myself. And things only got busier with the addition of my second child and my puff quilt promotions. I loved it at first, it gave me a sense of self and accomplishment. And I loved becoming part of the craft blog community.
But I’ve been stretched too thin for too long. My business has grown to a point where I have to decide if I want to be a designer or a manufacturer…and I’ve always preferred designing. So closing my shop will allow me time to design more.
I really feel like I’ve learned a lot and gotten what I wanted from it. But more importantly, closing will allow me the time that I need so badly for my kids, husband, and God.
My family is entering a critical year in our life. For three years we’ve lived in a two-bedroom apartment while my husband attends dental school. But heading into his fourth year will bring a lot of transient changes for us, with lots of travel. My husband has some serious work ahead of him for his career path and will be extremely busy trying to complete the necessary requirements. And I want to do my part to help our family out during this time by being completely present.
My hope is that I can re-open my shop for selling patterns. But I’m not sure if that will happen. Life throws changes at us and nothing lasts forever. I have loved having my shop and part of me is so sad to close. But the bigger part of me knows I have to. And I’m excited to see where my life goes and what I make of it. And to continue to share my journey with you.
I’ll still blog–that’s not going anywhere. And hopefully I’ll have more time to do some awesome crafts and share some great tutorials. And I will definitely still be finishing my current orders (so don’t worry if you are one of my customers with an order!) Please feel free to write me emails if you have any questions whatsoever.
I have loved working with all of my customers and couldn’t have gotten where I am today without any of you. Thank you so much.
Now to figure out what to do with 500 brand-new business cards…
Save them for later! I'm graduating from dental school in 4 months (yikes!) and I know I couldn't have done it without the generous support of my husband. So I have great respect for the husbands/wives carrying their spouses through this mire. You'll see the end of it all and one day I bet you'll have a little more time and can pull out those cards! Thanks for all your inspiration!
I've been a Dental Hygienist for 6 years and trust me when I say, Your husband needs your support and your doing the right thing for your family!!! Now worries though… never say never! I'm sure when the time is right, you will be back at it! Good luck :o)
I've also been contemplating closing my shop for (most of) the same reasons as you. I feel as if I have been neglecting my husband, kids and house much more than I should, and yet. And yet, I love to create and love it when others love it enough to buy it! Such a hard decision and yet easy enough to do at the same time. Anyway, good luck and I'm glad you'll continue to share you tutorials!
Congrats on making such a huge decision! I turned in my resignation last Monday after 3 years of being an office manager for a pediatric medical clinic to stay home with my 3 kiddos. It's a hard decision but something I'll be rewarded for in the future!
It's gunna be a brand new lifestyle for me after being in work full-time for the past 12 years, but my babies need mommy and my husband needs his wife back.
So brava mama! 😉
Wow that is a huge decision! Good for you for deciding what really matters and where your time is best spent! Best wishes!
thinking of you!!
I feel for you. I keep thinking I need to reopen my shop and make things for it, but everytime I'm about to start, it just looses the fun-ness. Crafting is supposed to be fun, right? You are 100% doing the right thing. Although I'm glad I got to see your work! You're puffed quilts are great. But I agree, it's much more fun to make stuff for friends and family than feel like a one-person factory!
You have to do what's right for you and your the only one who knows what that is. I'm with Abby. Save those cards. You never know when you'll want to pull them out again. Who knows what the future holds!
I completely admire your for knowing what it best for you family, and having the strength to just do it…As for the business cards, I used to love building card houses with my dad's old business cards when I was a kid, it used to entertain me for hours
Your great! You are doing what is best for your family… and you! That is what matters, that is what is most important!
What a crazy time, huh? So many changes for all of us. I sincerely hope you find the joy in just being. It's not always easy to let go of some of our dreams, but in the end…. sometimes it's just necessary. I sure do admire you and hope to see you sometime this week. Later Gator!
Heidi, HOORAY for you! I am so glad you have the strength to do what you need for your family. You are so very creative and you can build this again but you cannot ever turn back the clock. Your family is truly blessed.
May your decision be blessed. I have been told A Business can bounce back (so can a blog) but your children and family if that shatters its a more complex recovery. I think it is a wise investment you are making. All the best in the journey.
GAH, such a big decision! I applaud you for making it though. Im sure it wasnt easy. And your crafts will be missed! I was definitely waiting on tax time to order a whole bedroom set for you for my baby! 🙁 So I will embark on the challenge on my own with the use of your tutorial! Glad you will still be blogging. Goodluck with everything! Your kids will look back and thank you, and at the end of the day, thats all that matters! X's and Os
I shed a little tear but understand completely. I just did the same…I will miss seeing your new puff quilt creations…they were without a doubt my favorite…I'm going to keep reading your blog and hoping your new blog does just as well! 🙂
I'm sure you made the right decision, Heidi. And I'm sure you also will have plenty of chances to enjoy designing and blogging still. You really have 500 business cards?!
Congratulations! Making a decision like that is a BIG deal! I love your blog and am excited to see what new things you come up with when you have "spare time" to create! (And I think the decision you made is a wonderful one.)
i admire you for taking this huge step! i can understand how difficult this was for you but i think you made the right choice. nothing is more important then your husband kids and most importantly God! great choice!
Well, congrats on taking the leap! I started following you after someone featured you as a blog to watch, and you mostly were showcasing your applique templates. It has been fun to watch your readership grow and you to thrive in the crafty competition as well!
I have bookmarked and am planning to attempt a puff quilt for my little one as soon as we find out the sex and I decide on the color scheme, only 3 weeks! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us, they are so lovely and we'll continue to read even without the quilts!
🙂
Erin
LTC
So proud of you! I had to make a similar life decision several months back. I really struggled with it. Now I look back and wonder why it was even a hard decision.
Congrats on a new life focus! 🙂