Woke up this morning with a strong desire to make a garment: yes, from a pattern, which I normally detest. I’d been dreaming that I was doing invitations and calligraphy for a wedding, and I wanted to make a dress for it too. I was going to use one of my FabMo fabrics, called Navonna Shrimp (dreadful name, but beautiful material), though now that I’m awake I realize it would make a better clutch than a garment. I guess now that I’ve had a bit more practice with interfacings and zippers, I feel ready to tackle a simple skirt, and I’m itching to try…
But no. Calm down, lady. The Craft Happy inventory won’t wait. You know what you’ve got to do this week, and you know the consequences if you don’t get through it.
Lately I’ve been thinking longingly of the time when the show is over, and I’ll be able to get back to crafting at a more leisurely pace. I’ve really enjoyed the past week of working on the custom cash apron. I mean, I made some other things during the week, and did a whole lot of sourcing, but basically all my big-project time went to perfecting the apron design, making the first one, and then doing the custom one. And I enjoyed it, really quite a lot. I developed a new design and learned several useful skills to add to my repertoire, after some intensive design time (designing is definitely a different state of mind than just putting something together), and I made a sale to someone who was truly great to work with. I’d love to make this my regular crafting routine: a week spent playing around and producing a couple of pieces, then spending the rest of the month maybe turning out more of the same design or variations on it. I’d learn so much, taking this much time on my designs, and I’d probably produce much more beautiful work, too. Because I’d spent so much time thinking about and planning the custom apron, I took more time on the details: matching the top and bobbin threads to the fabrics, pressing every single seam (I do these things normally, but it was a higher level of OCD this time!). All this takes time, but it’s the way I’d prefer to work. After March 20 we’ll have to start crazily planning for our Hong Kong trip in early April, but after that, this slowed-down crafting pace will be my plan of action.
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Oh how I wish I could also return to the days of leisurely crafting. =) I was just thinking about that this morning too! It seems like there is always something that comes up though– which is great for business– but bad for stress levels. Can’t wait to see all your beautiful products at the show on the 20th!
Hee. That is a pretty dreadful name for a fabric 🙂
I know what you mean about longing for a more leisurely craft pace. Unfortunately, if I’m accepted to even the majority of the shows I have or intend to apply to, September will be my only month “off”, but even then I’ll have to start preparing for the crazy Christmas rush.
I keep fantasizing about the day that I feel comfortable enough to make this my only job. I could almost do it now, but since we’re saving up for a move and a land purchase, it doesn’t seem smart to ditch my other work, but man oh man, is it exhausting doing both.
Good luck with your show preparation!! I am so looking forward to seeing pictures of your booth and hearing how you and Jinny do 🙂
OMG, Mo — that’s a really, really insane schedule! I’m glad to know “quit your day job” is within sight for you, though. 🙂 And your move plan! Yay for dreams!