Character Bags, the beginning

About 4 years ago I made our first character bag. It was a jack-o-lantern bag. That one was pink and purple for a friend's little girl. I had a pattern for that one. Little did I know that that little bag would be the start of Wear Creations becoming a reality. Now we design all kinds of bags. First we were asked to make a snowman, and about that time we were working on a cat. From there it has blossomed into the majority of our work. Designing and selling these bags has given us the money and courage to branch out and try more things. It has taken us from a few local craft fairs to starting our own website to getting our stuff in a store in Reno, NV to getting on Amazon. The last half of 2015 and the first couple of months of 2016 were really rough personally, but for our business they were exciting times. We got all the paperwork done for our business license. We got our stuff in the store. We were accepted by Amazon. And to think we owe it all to a little jack-o-lantern bag. All that we have now started with that little bag. Each year we do better at each of the craft fairs. And I expect that this year will be no exception. Last year we actually had a customer come looking for us. The year before she had purchased a pumpkin bag. Last year she purchased five more bags, and put in her requests for this year. Thanks to her, we are designing a Santa bag and a witch bag and a few others. 

Locally we have found our little niche. It may take us a few years to find our niche in our other ventures, but just like our little bags made our place here, it will find us. And when it does it will probably take us by surprise. 

The exchange of energy

This weekend Lisa and I got to spend some time with a friend who we have not been able to see for almost 2 years. Long story short He was in an accident where someone died and he was found responsible. We were finally approved for visits, so we went just as soon as we could.
Last night I was thinking about how odd we were in the visiting room. Most of the others were talking non stop or when they were done the visitors left. Lisa and I stayed the WHOLE time and we talked but we also just sat together. As I was thinking about it we were talking the whole time but not with words. Our energies were mingling and making sure that he was okay. We left with a feeling that is unlike any other. We knew we would be there for him no matter how long, but now we know that this is doable, and that he is still him, while this has changed him he is growing from it not sinking in it. He is using the situation to make him a stronger person and is looking back on what happened with clearer eyes. Seeing what he did and did not do that led to the accident (and I am not talking about that night but other things that he did not see as an issue then, but now can see it was the first step that led him to the choices that led to the accident).
The part that makes me sad is that his partner of MANY years is not able to see him. I know that she is upset that we can and she cannot but I don't think that she knows that we wish she could. I hope that we can find away to get her approval also. I know that would help both of them.

Thinking about the energy has given me a new way of thinking about talking and while I have known about this for a long time and am a firm believer in its use. I have a new understanding of it. Energy is alive, it is a thing you can't 100% control. But intention is everything. If you are doing something that you do not want to be doing your energy will tattle on you, if you are resistant to what is going on your energy will show it... If you are doing something for the right reasons your energy will show it. This unspoken language is something not everyone can listen to, and the amount that a person can read varies. I am reasonable but I am not an expert in it, I am still learning, growing and experiencing. While we were visiting I saw people who were there because they felt they needed to be there, those that were doing something because they felt bad for the person, and people who were there because they wanted to be. Those that were there for the right reasons were more animated and seemed to have fun. Their energy was bubbly and happy, not sullen and grumpy. we made those that were not there for the right reasons a little more uncomfortable.. oops... we were not trying to, but our energies were more dominate in the small space.
As I try to type out my thoughts on the use of energy for communication, I am seeing that they are not yet solid, but they are coming together. I think I need to spend more time on this thought before it is something that I can explain to others in a way that is understandable. So there will be more to follow on this when the thoughts gel more...

Dolls, books and our crazy life

Last week I needed a new project, and I have been wanting to make a doll. A few weeks ago I was in our favorite locally owned book store and found a book called My Crochet Doll. It has one doll pattern and then all kinds of outfits for her. Our 2 year old thinks everything we make is for her (her 4 year old brother thinks the same thing) and the new doll is no exception. At the moment we are making her a St. Patrick's Day out fit. I usually do the crocheting and Ellen puts it together. Well we had the doll with us when we went to see one of our doctors. We found out really quick that she collects dolls, so we are going to do a doctor outfit and doll for her. As with most patterns we are already modifying and changing this one to fit our needs and make it easier for us to make. It has been years since I have followed a pattern exactly as it was written. I have even started writing my own patterns. One of these days I want to work on nothing but design for a while. For now I am happy to modify others pattern, as I don't have the time to really concentrate on design. Life has a way of steering me where I need to go. 

The doll and her book got me thinking about all this and how recently I have been steered back to where I really want to go. Last year at this time I was not really being creative. I was struggling to organize my time so that the household did not fall apart. It felt like there was so much to do. Now, just one year later, the house may not stay spotless, but at least it isn't a disaster most of the time. I spend at least a little time each day creating. It may only be one row or a few lines of a pattern written, but its something. Wear Creations, the company I dreamed up as a teenager and named way back when, is a reality. We have a business license and all the proper paperwork. Our creations are in a store in Reno, NV called Buy Nevada First and on Handmade by Amazon. Those two have happened in just the last three months. 

I still have dreams for the future. But I am on my way, and if this is as far as I get to go, if I get stuck here, then I will be happy. I believe in dreaming big, but taking baby steps to get there. Shoot for the moon and if I miss then at least I will land among the stars.

Long week.. lots of ideas..

This week has been a long one, the house got sick and anyone that has kids understands what that means.. thankfully we are on the mend, but yuk!!! So the to do list this week has gotten longer and longer not shorter...
I dislike to do lists, but if I do not have it written down I will not remember that it needs done. I have used apps on my phone, and even an old palm(tm) to keep track.. but I keep going back to paper.. for some reason seeing things marked off on paper is more satisfying than having them disappear, or get checked off on the phone. I find that paper also helps me to prioritize better. I know people that the apps are better for them, that is good! find what works for you and run with it!! there are many things in life that there is no right or wrong ways to do, but each person has what is best for them.. from my years in retail I can say that 2 or more people in an area with different methods is normal and can cause a headache for the boss. But when they work together and find a method that can work for the area, then the real work starts to get done...
Hmm.. that gets me thinking about how people work together, and the learning process that can be. We live in a "unconventional" household, several generations, single, married, kids... but I think that gives us a stronger foundation to work on. oh yes, we have our disagreements and the one thing we always say is that we will work together to solve the issues, some issues are with 2 members others with 3 and still others with 4 or more. But the family we have here is stronger for us all being here. My mother also lives in a home like that and the same thing works (the process is different, but the outcome is the same). There it is again.. the process is different.. each member of the family has to keep growing and learning to keep the process going. The day one stops is the day that the system starts to fail.
Food for thought.. what have I done today to keep learning and growing? is it a new skill? a new way of looking at an old problem? a book that made you think? something someone said that lit the bulb? the options are limitless, as long as we are looking to grow and learn for ME.

Epiphany

After several nights of not being able to sleep, I wasn't exactly thrilled at another sleepless night. My back was acting up again and nothing I took put the slightest dent in the pain. So I went trolling around on pintrest to see what was new. There wasn't much except an article about how we are killing crochet. With all the free stuff online it's getting harder and harder to make a living in the craft world. Instead of paying for a class you can go on YouTube and learn the techniques for free. As for patterns, you can find almost anything online for free. And don't get me started on all the people that undervalue their work.
I didn't agree with everything the article said, I am more of the opinion that the craft business community needs to adapt to the availability that the Internet provides. Classes can focus on a project or on design. Books and patterns need to be multifunctional to appeal to those of us willing to spend money on such things.
It may take a new generation of crafters to see these changes made. But we crafters are a hardy lot. We will survive. We will adapt and change and grow.

Thoughts

The last few weeks I have had lots of things running in my head..
With both Lisa and I loosing our dads with in 6 months of each other, my outlook on many things has changed. I am wanting those I love to know it every day, I cherish the days I have, and try not to put off things that are really important.
This last month I have had several conversations that have helped with some things I wanted to make sure were clear to all, I have been working toward several things I have wanted most of my life...
The day coming up this weekend is one of those that most people like to go out and buy things to show their love.. I have issues with this, not that I dislike getting things or buying things for others. but that people think that is what they should be doing. I like the special things that are done anytime, not because of a day. My dad liked to get Mama flowers, and he did it most Fridays, but I know that there are times he would just because.. now that he is not here us kids are trying to do random things for Mama, just so she remembers that we care, even when she is feeling the worse. Those are the things that speak to love, not just one day a year (or 2 or 3 if you count birthdays and other special days).
This year John, Lisa, and I are planing on getting away for a day or so for this holiday, but more that it is a reason to, not that we think we have to. But I am working on plans for things that I can do all year long to show my love. Right now I have knitting projects for some people, and other ideas for some. There are still those that I have no ideas for, but I will keep thinking...
My challenge for this year is to find little ways to show my love all year..

Creating vs.Depression

I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few months. It all started when my dad passed away in July.  He loved working with his hands. I guess that's where I get it from. And then today someone in one of the facebook groups I'm in asked about personal passion and how other busy mothers fit that in. My thoughts went all over the place. One thing that stuck me was that when I don't follow my passions, if I'm not creating something, with my hands or with my mind, I sink into depression. In our house we make time for creativity. It may not be much. It may be 5 minutes between chores. We always have something with us when we go to the doctor. Those dead times are perfect for working with our hands. There are times when I have a ball of yarn in my pocket or bag and my knitting needles or crochet hook in my hands. That works for times when standing in line is necessary.
The holidays were a rough time in our house. As I mentioned I lost my dad in July. My sister found out in November that her father had stage 4 lung cancer. So the holidays were spent traveling back and forth. And in January he passed away. Our minds have turned more and more to our creative sides. That is what we both learned from our fathers. Both of them had careers that were mainly intellectual, but they both enjoyed working with their hands and creating things. They put so much love into things they created. Whether it was something they wrote or something they built, they put so much of themselves into it. It was just part of who they were.
Now we both feel like that part has passed down to us. Our creative outlets may be different that our fathers were. But we still carry the tradition on. Creativity is in our blood. It is part of who we are. Without it we are only half a person. I think that is why I have to be creating something or I start sliding into depression.