I guess the idea is to hook up another domain with the Pattern Shop feature top gain more traffic, but I haven't done that yet. You can find me as myrosevalley.patternbyetsy.com for the moment. I'm just trying it out for 30 days (Free Trial) and then we'll see. Not sure I want to add another 15 dollar cost to my monthly Etsy bills...
For a long time I wanted a "real" shop where I could sell my Tilda yarn and as I have mentioned before I have been working on this quite a lot lately (read about my creative escape here). I really wanted a place for my yarn to make them justice and become more approachable for you all. But I have come to a stall... It is more complicated than I initially thought and to be honest I think my efforts sometimes just make things more complicated than they are.
I'm not a big business and I like it to stay small and cozy, personal and simple. I don;t want to feel pressured to produce tons of patterns to always have something new to offer my dear and loyal customers. I just want it to be my little Happy Shop Corner.
When I started selling on Etsy I did it because I loved selling what I made. Later I stepped into pattern design and it showed that you loved the patterns I made as much as I do. My Etsy Shop started to thrive. I started selling Tilda yarn in my Yarn Shop here on the blog because I love working with Tilda yarn, and so I was thrilled to make Tilda available worldwide instead of just available for us Scandinavians.
I started out from the heart and it became a success. Truly beyond my imagination. Little me selling patterns to near and far, seeing your interpretations of my designs in social media... It is the greatest feeling. I'm so thankful.
Small business and small blog grew big and I kind of lost control along the way. For a long time. My blogging mojo has been a serious roller coaster for such a long time and I've been so close to just call it the day and close down it all so many times.
It's like that crazy first love affair where you just dive in head first and after a while you start to question who you are, who your love is and what the hell you are doing because it grows complicated, big and overwhelming... Should I stay or should I go? And although it tears you apart at times you just don't want to let go. Because it fills you up with the greatest feeling at times. A feeling you don't want to loose.
Today I'm just letting it all pour out, frustration, fear, doubt and love. Because I don't know how to move forward. I'm in a bit of a tough place right now privately and I feel a bit stuck in a hamster wheel. I run and run and run, but I just don't get anywhere. And while running my To-Do list grows longer and longer and longer and I don't know where to start. Patterns are unfinished, photos needs to be taken, shop needs to be updated, yarn needs to shown, graphic designs are left half done, website is stuck, messages are to be answered, blog flow is frozen, the calendar is smock full...
So today I'm trying Etsy's new Pattern Shop feature. I'm updating my platforms with a new graphic design. I'm writing a little on the Maybelle Blanket pattern and that is good. I'm taking baby steps. And I truly think I need to do just ONE THING AT A TIME. Otherwise I will be stuck in that hamster wheel forever.
Now it is lunch time and kids are coming home any minute. So I will turn off Blogland for now and escape to Real Life Me. And be present there. Not in a million places at once. I didn't mean to write this. It was just gonna be a blinker about The Pattern Shop. Well, I guess my heart steered it in another direction this time. That happens... I think I boiled over a bit. :)
Thanks for listening and thanks for just being around. Always.
KĂ€rlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
I wish you luck whichever path you choose đ
ReplyDeleteJillxx
Thank you Jill. I'm sure this phase will blow over soon. We all have our ups and downs, right. Thanks for popping in and saying hello today. It warms my heart.
DeleteXxx
Oh yes, I know how you feel! I think I was in almost the same place about 6 months ago, working hard but seemly getting no-where and almost ready to jack in in entirely! I'm the same, I want to work on everything at once because I get excited by ideas and carried away with it all but then there's only one of me and I can only do so much and it ends up feeling like you're achieving nothing!
ReplyDeleteI think you are on the right track though, it is about doing one thing at a time. Setting yourself boundaries, not taking on too much and prioritising which ideas should be worked on first. If you work on one thing and get it done, then you feel so much better, something is done, now you can move to the next. Not at all easy though is it? I've managed to make a little space for myself lately though and it feels a lot better. I still get carried away though and have try and force myself to focus on a just couple of things rather than look at the whole list there waiting for me.
I hope you're ok honey. I'm always an email away :)
S x
I know, I know, I know... You are spot on. Like always. I'm so happy to have you just an email away. I'm sure I will email bomb you in the next few days.
DeleteXxx
Hi Annette, love your stuff and have loved seeing your little business grow. It's so easy not to see all the stuff that needs to be done behind the scenes - sounds like you're doing well juggling so much stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Becca
DeleteThat is exactly what I need to hear. That I'm doing good. Thank you for that!!! And thanks for sticking around in my roller coaster.
Xxx
Trim down for a while and see how it feels then you know what you miss. Maybe you could do some crochet writing and designing in another place to give yourself a rest from the everyday but a real focus on what you want to do in the allocated hour or so. Don't give up though, your thoughts are too precious. Jo x
ReplyDeleteHi Annette. Slow down. Take deep breaths. I get the exact same thing and I just crochet as a hobby! I think why do I bother? The stress of finding the next project and colour planning. It's all madness. That and paranoia about cleaning! By the way I am not Michael. He is my scaffolder husband and we run our own business too. You just have to keep to your limits or else it all goes wrong. Believe me! There is no rush to get your shop open. We are not all going to stop reading your blog and get angry. I have enjoyed all your patterns. Just work on one thing and stick with it. The shop will get done when it gets done. It's not a matter of life or death. Why don't you try and sell your kits via an online wool shop. Love Crochet or Deramores. They all sell Scheepjes and other global brands now. AcScandinavian online shop that shops worldwide? Lots of bloggers now do this. Attic 24 a prime example with Wool Warehouse. I'm sure they could all get Tilda so then you just design kits. And then sell them. Just an idea but perhaps not fior you. Whatever you decide make it for yourself. No rush! Lesley.
ReplyDeleteHi Lesley
DeleteAll good pointers. Yes. Why do it ALL by myself? Why not co-operate and release a bit of the pressure I put on myself. Great ideas. And the world won't go under because of me not meeting my own deadlines.Who cares at the end of the day. I should chill out more and bring back in the fun factor of things instead of pressure.
Thanks for popping in here today and cheering me on. I really needed it.
Xxx
All I can say it take care and send you a cyber hug. The world will not crumble if you don't get everything done. Concentrate on the things that are important to you and we will still be waiting here in blog land when you want to post. xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Annette, I totally understand where your coming from, I could have written this post, it sounds like how I feel at the moment too! I'm trying to find the joy again. Maybe it's just a part of the process that happens when a hobby becomes a business, and as one man businesses it can easily become overwhelming when you think of all the roles you have to play: designer, marketer, admin, accountant, salesman, social media, etc. No wonder we sometimes feel like we are not getting everything done! I am going to try and concentrate on one thing at a time, I think that's great advice, and I'm not going to get too stressed if i don't meet my self imposed deadlines, there is always tomorrow! Have a great day and enjoy the time with your family. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie xxx (little woollie)
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeleteHey,look at all the joy you bring even with just this blog. So many times I have been feeling down and then I go into my e-mails and there are your lovely bright coloured photos. All your stories about your family, your trips to beautiful islands, the gorgeous flowers in your garden, the lovely colours of the yarns and of course those wonderful patterns. As just one person you bring so much happiness to me. I, as I'm sure many people do, struggle a lot of the time with personal things, work, juggling things and making time. Try to make just a little time to set aside for your self in a day even if it's only half an hour, shut off from everything else, clear your mind and do something you want to, a walk, a book, do a crossword. As most posters have already said just get one thing done make a list and cross off as you do them, but celebrate the tasks you have completed and not dwell on those you still have to do.
I'm sending you a huge hug xxxxxxx Julie
Hi dear Julie, so comforting. I'm wiping a tear from my eye (I'm an emotional person ok...) because this touches my heart full on. This is the reward. Spreading joy, not my miseries. Let me continue to spread joy. Thank you SO MUCH for writing me today. It hit the right spot. Lets do some color pop therapy to turn this greyish, sluggish feeling around shall we?
DeleteXxx
Annette
Hey little lady the colors are amazing.....therapy indeed. Lets roll around in in giant heap of yarns!!! Ok a little over the top perhaps!!!
DeleteHugs
Juliexxx
I love how you blog! Your mind works just like mine. Thanks for the information about the new pattern shop! Please keep us updated on how it works out for you! I love your patterns and think they're so creative. It's awesome to know Etsy is expanding and making it easier for shoppers and sellers to get what they need.
ReplyDelete