Beginning Again

Life as I know it has changed. Once again life has decided to throw another curve ball. Once I found out I was pregnant last January I knew that work wouldn't last too much longer for this long time working mom. I was right. I became a stay at home mom in February of last year. It was definately a change. I had time to myself but being pregnant it wasn't the normal day. I was sick for most of my pregnancy and then came the back aches and swollen feet which is the norm for pregnancy as most moms know. I found myself learning knew things and getting my online store functioning again. I finally had time to make soaps and scrubs and bath salts again. I even had time during my early to mid pregnancy to make some jewelry which was difficult to do when I was working strange hours and having to come home and do what moms do; homework with the kiddo, cook, clean, get the kiddo cleaned and in bed. In my last trimester I got a hankering for a new hobby. I learned how to crochet.

Crochet has become a big part of me ever since. I find it relaxing and it is great for your fine motor skills. I took to crochet much easier than I thought I would. I remember being a kid and my Grandmother trying to teach me. At 12 I definately didn't give a hoot about crocheting. At 12 you think that it is for old people. I learned over time the beauty of the craft and the satisfaction of completing something with a purpose. It is so enjoyable for me and I am glad I get to share my enjoyment with others. I realized that there was quite a market for crochet products and being that I think we should buy more locally and handmade instead of from some chinese sweatshop I decided to add the crochet products to my online store's inventory.

My daughter was born in September. In fact she was born on September 11th. I had made tons of hats for her little head while she was in my belly. I did find that I was once again pressed for time to do what I enjoyed since having a newborn in the house changes the whole schedule and it didn't help that I had to take my 6 year old to school each morning and pick her up in the afternoon. I found pieces of time during her naps when I was not able to sleep and once she went to sleep at night I would crochet for a little while to help calm me before bed. As my schedule finally got back to what was now the norm I had time to get everything done. I ended up putting a few crochet items in the Georgia National Fair and at the Georgia buildings store. This was my first test of selling my crochet. After the fair I was pleased to see I had sold many of my crochet items as well as recieved two awards from the Ga living competitions. I got a first place ribbon and textile of excellence award for an owl pillow and a second place ribbon for a cute little long tailed elf hat I had made for my daughter. This boosted my confidence enough to push me to do a few arts and crafts festivals.

In November of 2012 I did my first two festivals. They were not as lucritive as I had hoped but I was still learning. I am still learning actually. I enjoy what I am doing and it brings my family a little extra money. If not for my wonderful husband we wouldn't have a thing so he is the rock of the family financially but Mommy is the rock of the family for everything else. I sometimes look at my life and wonder how I manage to do it all. How do I get up with the baby everytime she cries and still manage to get my other daughter off to school, get the house cleaned up, do the dishes, cook dinner, take care of the animals and still find the time to crochet and dabble in the arts? I doubt that the answer is simple. I think women were just made to take the world on their shoulders.

I have however given myself something else to have to do. Homeschool. I will tell ya all about that next time!


Thanks for reading!
Ape




www.missred871.etsy.com