Did I really just quit my job?

It’s been 4 months now.

I’m 1/3 of the way through my first year.  

It’s been 127 days since I started.

 I can package it many different ways, but no matter how I state it, the clock is ticking, the days are flying by and my savings are shrinking.

It’s hard to believe actually that this much time has passed since I started working for myself.

 A lot of things have changed and uncertainty and surprise seem to be my constant companions. 

I am not where I had hoped to be, at least not as I had originally pictured it, but I have made some positive strides - none bigger than starting to think beyond my original plan.

July and August were very good months for sales and got me started with a lot of momentum. After that though, things began to drag. I had this idea that if I had time to make more diploma frames and kept adding them to my shop the sales would continue to grow.

That hasn't really happened.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about my approach to this and what my goal actually is (was). I've come to realize that my goal is not to sell diploma frames. My goal is to earn a living, working for myself, doing something I enjoy.

Coming to that realization has opened me up to a much larger pool of options.

While I will continue to sell diploma frames, I plan to add a large selection of picture frames and will soon begin to use pre-cut molding in addition to milling my own.  I've signed on with a wholesale picture frame molding company that provides me hundreds of choices and opportunities to increase revenue, while becoming more efficient.

Not only will that help me increase what I offer in the way of frames I make, I will soon start to “retail” the pre-cut molding through my DIY picture framing web site, so  DIYers can buy nice molding at a reasonable price to make their own frames.

I have just taken on a large project with a local chapel to make hymn book holders for their pews. Working for the Lord has to help, right?

And of course, I've been gearing up for the holiday crafts shows. I have a table at the St. Greg's show November 28-29 and the Heim Middle School show December 6-7.

Whether these things help or not, we'll see, but I know the odds increase as more things are tried.

One thing I said at the beginning is that faith has to play a big part in this. I truly believed that one way or another, things would happen and opportunities would present themselves.  I wasn't sure how, and until I was forced to think beyond my original plan, I didn't realize just how many opportunities are missed if you don’t open your mind.  

So, until the next installment, I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open for the opportunities that are hiding, in plain sight, all around us every day. I hope you do as well.

Al

harvestwoods.com

Buffalo Etsy Team Interview: Sinthea from Knit•Laugh•Wine

 

MOTHER OF INVENTION

Sinthea and artist-husband Justin opened their Etsy shop, Knit•Laugh•Wine, in December 2013. In addition to running the shop, they both have full-time jobs outside the home, and run around after four young boys ages 2, 6, 8 and 12. Dissatisfied with similar, commercially available products to prevent the inevitable baby boy peepee spray, she designed a knit version. In June, she applied for a copyright for her unique pattern.

With four sons, your knit specialty was born out of necessity. Was it after the first one that you thought "Enough is enough" ?

>>>  Honestly, I didn’t learn to knit until after boy number three, Grady, was born.  We started using cloth diapers to be environmentally friendly as well as to stop using disposables because of harsh chemicals. With cloth diapers, I needed diaper covers to stop any type of leaks he had. The wool covers I bought were hand-knit with hand-dyed wool. They were beautiful but very costly. I was paying for yarn and a knitter to make them. I finally said enough is enough and learned to knit. It was only after I learned to knit that I saw adorable Pee-pee TeepeesTM and I thought man, what a great idea! I’ve been getting sprayed for years! I saw teepees that were made of fabric and sewn. I thought if I can make them myself by knitting them it would save me some money — plus hand-knit goods, I feel, are always more durable than goods made of fabric, especially when it comes to urine. I’ve been knitting them ever since and they have really come in handy since we decided to add to our family. Of course we have yet another little boy!

How is your product different?
>>>  There are many products you can buy that are made with fabric that will shield the urine spray, but my hand-knit ones feature:
• AIRFLOW  Tiny holes help with airflow, for a more comfortable baby.

• BETTER FIT  Due to the nature of yarn, our covers are very stretchy for that perfect fit. Fabric covers don't stretch, and fall off when baby moves.
• COMFORT  Our covers are knit in a circle, so there are virtually no seams to cause irritation.
• DURABILITY  Acrylic (if you choose our acrylic) is resistant to moths, oils, chemicals and deterioration from sunlight — unlike fabric. Fabric covers become thin and fade after a few washes. Handknits last a very long time and can withstand years of use.
• UNIQUENESS  You can find sewn covers everywhere, but hand-knit ones can only be found through Knit•Laugh•Wine. You will never give the same gift as someone else at a baby shower!

Do you ever make anything for yourself?
>>>  Sometimes! With four little boys, most of my knitting is for them. Winter hats, mittens, scarves... they pretty much lose them as soon as they put them on! When it's time to knit for myself, it's usually a decorative cowl or small scarf. If I am feeling up to a challenge, I will knit myself a pair of socks. There's nothing better than the feeling of hand-knit wool on your feet, but they're very time-consuming so I only have a few pairs.
 
I've heard knitting described as a portable craft. Where's the most unusual place you've knitted?>>> The most unusual place was at an annual, worldwide event called "The Big Latch On." Mothers who breastfeed try to break records for the most women breastfeeding simultaneously. It's fun to be part of it, and my son Sullivan and I have been in the world record two years in a row for "most babies nursing at the same time." I have knit there while waiting for the event to begin. I knit little hats that looked like breasts to bring awareness to breastfeeding in public. I gave them away for free at the event. The mamas loved them!

You also offer knit wine glass cozies and boot cuffs in your shop. Any new products on the horizon?>>> Due to the season we will, very soon, be adding lots of reusable, environmentally friendly, hand-knit market bags. I use them all the time at farmer's markets and the grocery store. I get many compliments on them! They're so handy... they're small and compact yet stretch a ton — plus they are durable and machine-washable. Keep an eye out for those in the very near future.

One last question, just for fun: Do you and Justin own anything fragile?
 >>> Absolutely not! We discovered that sofas and box springs are fragile, even though you wouldn't think so.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/knitlaughwine

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/knitlaughwine

Twitter: knitlaughwine@twitter.com

Instagram: Knitlaughwine

Wanelo:  www.wanelo.com/Knitlaughwine

Many thanks to Nicole Johnson of Mealy Monster for initiating the original Buffalo Etsy Team interviews!

Until I ask questions again, this is Carla from 716 Buffalos wishing you a happy summer and loads of Buffalove!