Here we are ready to celebrate Christmas and the New Year! I am so thankful for this year.  It has brought me a new business, new friends, and a new grand baby !  I am so loving this journey.   I could not have done any of this without the support of the most wonderful husband in the world!  Ben, I appreciate you allowing me to share my talent and make a career out of doing what I truly love. My siblings for pushing me to carry on what our grandmother taught us many many many years ago and I just happened to pick up a hook and make a business out of, and my Facebook family I really do look for those "likes", they mean a lot.

My business has taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to the task.  I have grown from knowing only a few stitches 3 years ago to reading patterns. I have to give shout out to +Teresa Richardson , +bobwilson123 +OneVirtuousWoman O.V.W and many more for their outstanding instructions on You Tube.  I have spent many hours up with these women pausing and going back to watch them perform the magic they make with yarn.  I really would not be this far without you.  I also have to thank +Liz McQueen from Playin Hooky Designs, Vita of  Mon Petit Violon (lives in Latvia) and +Kristi Simpson at RAKJ patterns to name a few !  The crochet community is the BOMB Diggity !  I love you ladies !  Oh, ! and of course the men in my crochet life +Michael Sellick at the Crochet Crowd and +drew emborsky of The Crochet Dude.  I love you all ! I would not be the crafter I am without their help and the help of many more.  I feel like I have the best teachers who teach me from all over the world !

I have met the most kind and supportive people at craft fairs. I really appreciated when a customer came to me at my last show and told me she had purchased my hat a month before for her son and she wanted me to know he wears it all the time and gets compliments.  I have also built several relationships with repeat customers(now friends) and contact people at some of the best craft fairs in the state !  Rene @ The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County.  I appreciate all she has done for me this year.  She is the best !!!

In the midst of this year our youngest daughter had a baby on 12-12-12.  What a joy to know that I am now in a position to help out if my daughter needs me to come give her a break, and I can spend time with the most precious bundle of joy.  I am one proud MeMe!  I also have to thank my new boss and my daughter's OB/GYN +Cherise Felix who gives the flexibility like no one else would.  There are not enough thank you's and I love you's for you and +Nina Shapiro.... 
 I know the New Year will only continue to build on the blessings I have started to receive.
Thank you to everyone for being a Big Part of my life !

Life

The past month has been a world wind!  I have tried to be there for my family. Going to doctors appointments and chemotherapy with a cousin, my mother in law and my sister in law.   I really feel blessed to be there for them.   I know for sure everything happens for a reason and I was suppose to be there for them.

I took a five day vacation to D.C. with my family and then on to my middle sister's wedding.   I often laugh at the dynamics of my family.  I am really going to sit down one day and write a book.  You can't make this (bleep) up!

Today I went to a funeral of a classmate's mother.  I know her mother was proud of her.  They were very close and her spirit was there with us today.  It reminds me of our aging parents and how precious life and our time together is.  My hope is to make sure as my classmate did that our parents are taken care of until they leave this earth.

I am not sure how to sum up my day except to say it is by his grace that I am a sane person.  There are times I really don't feel appreciated and then something happens to remind me that I am.

Much love to my family!  you humor me daily !

I have asked several crafter's for advice information on Craft Fairs.  Some are forthcoming some not so much.  I have nothing to hide because we can all learn something from it.  I want to share my journey. Here is my set up I did on my back deck to give me a visual of what I need and what I can do better.

Mixed Messages

I have always been one to ask God for specific things and own them.  When I am without a job I don't look for one I really sincerely wait for one to come my way.  If I walk in a building and don't feel His presence I will not take the job.  Sounds crazy but that is my relationship with Him and it works.

I have been fortunate in that either someone will tell me about a job or the company will find my resume on a site.  I have submitted several resumes to many places but I am only rewarded when the first two happen.

I am now home as you know starting my business.  I have said that the only positions I would be interested in are remote or part time...... guess what?  Someone called me about a remote position.   It is very interesting and I have had two interviews.   I would love to have the job because insurance is so High !! I want be able to help support my family. I could also do my crocheting while on the phone doing conf calls and what ever.   I would love this job so we will see...

First Steps

I'ts funny how people don't take you serious when you say you are starting your own business.  I spend several hours a day researching patterns looking up places to set up, looking for retail supplies or just crocheting to build my stock.  The first thing people assume is you have time do run errands for them..  because I'm not doing anything.

This is my passion and I am very serious about what I am doing.  Today I was up at 6:30 ordering my tent and preparing a mock set up to see what set up supplies I am missing. I was also at a yarn sale  at my favorite shop where I got 75% off my entire purchase.  As I advance in my crocheting the yarn I use is also more expensive because now I know the difference in texture and brand. Tomorrow I will go out and get a few supplies to tweek my set up.  Maybe I am not going to work for someone else...  I am my own boss so I wish people would realize when you work for yourself you can't hide from your mistakes.  I want this to work so everyday I do something to get me moving in the right direction!

Who said this would be easy?

I was laid off July of this year.  Fortunately I have been able to leave early due to staff reduction.  The goal is to start my own business and this would give me time to get my act together.

Well if I have not learned anything in the past few weeks I have learned that everything is done in Gods time. I have always been blessed to be available to my family when there is a major crisis.  This has given me the ability to go to chemo treatments and sit with family during major surgery.   I know this is what I am suppose to be doing because it has all lined up for me to be there for them.  

As for my business I have have taken my time thinking about products and when and where I will set up and display for sells.  I want people to appreciate the time I put into deciding what I will make down to the pattern and color.  I will not work shows where the treat my craft with disrespect.  I wont negotiate my prices because I have a lot invested and they are one of a kind and not mass market.

My other focus is to work with the youth to teach them how to create with their hands and be proud of doing something creative.

I am busier now than when I had a 9 to 5..  Hopefully I will share some of my tips for craft fairs with my fellow crafters and discovering and living your dream job for others.  I hope you enjoy my blog.  I will try to build from weekly to daily on my post !!!

Join Me !!

Transition

Today I am blessed to have the opportunity to leave corporate America and focus on my craft.   It is a blessing to have the support of my family and friends and to know that the Faith that I have has made all of this possible.

Happy New Year

I have not been the best at blogging, tweeting or keeping any status updates.  My goal is to do a better job of letting you in my life.   I am very appreciative to all that offered prayers calls to check on me and help while I have been out from my hysterectomy in November.   I have realized that it is when you are down that you see who cares and is willing to help and it also shows me how to be a better friend.   I want to be there for more people in the year of 2012.  I hope all will have a great year and many blessings.