Etsy

I haven't blogged here in a very long time. For a while, I thought of just closing this blog down but I'm going to keep it and attempt to update it more often. I can't believe what I've done in the last few months. I was so terrified of opening up my Etsy shop but it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I haven't made a huge amount of sales, only about 7 so far, but opening up my shop and continuing with it has made me realize that this is something I should be doing. It feels so right, and I'm so happy about all of the positive feedback I've been getting. I'm happy that people want to buy my dolls to begin with! I've been branching out from monkeys and now have sock bears, dogs, elephants, and one lonely monster up in the shop now. It's been a wonderful journey so far. I shipped out a monkey to the U.K. a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't believe it. It felt great! I can't wait to see where else my little shop will take me, and most importantly, I'm still having fun!

My first sell!

Neon went to a good home today. My friend said that the woman who I made him for fell in love with him and her whole face lit up when she saw him. I have to say that I'm a little sad to see him go but knowing that somebody appreciated him so much makes me feel so proud. I didn't start sewing with the intention of selling my creations. I started out wanting to feel closer to my mother and grandmother, and needing the creative release of doing something with my hands. Now that I'm learning more and people are interested in what I'm making, the thought of opening up an Etsy shop enters my mind more and more. It feels so nice and refreshing to make some money doing something that I love as opposed to working at my dead end job. I feel inspired to keep working on these monkeys, as well as the other projects I have going on right now. I'm so used to just giving something up when it doesn't work out the way I want it to, but this is something that is quickly becoming a passion of mine.

A Day of Crafting

I learned how to blanket stitch today after studying the wonderfully photographed tutorial on Futuregirl Craft Blog. I love learning new sewing techniques and plan to practice them more as I think that's the only way I will get better. I was lucky today because Anthony was in a great mood and let me sew to my heart's content. I finished up Neon, the Sock Monkey and plan to give him away to a good home on Monday.

The Holidays

As I was trying to set up this blog a little while ago, I realized that I miss my old passion for blog keeping and graphic design. I used to be able to sit in front of a computer for hours working on numerous digital art projects and my old website (becoming-visible.net). I realized that I don't really have a space to call my own anymore, and maybe this can be a haven of some sort for me.

Yesterday was a hectic holiday, as most holidays usually are for us. Ever since we had our son, it seems that the holidays are even more stressful what with having to travel to three or four different houses. I was feeling under the weather so that only added to the frustration of the day but we did manage to sit down with our families and eat some delicious food. Last year I was on a diet and didn't get to eat much of the Thanksgiving goodies, but this year I went full force and blamed it on the little one in my tummy. I'm sure she was having a great time in there!

On the last stop of the day, Andres showed off one of my sock monkeys to his family members. One of his aunts is a professional seamstress and she said she was "amazed" that I could sew so well, after teaching myself for the past couple of months. I took that as a huge compliment. Everyone kept telling me how great my sock monkey was and that I should sell them. I keep hearing this but I think I have a lack of faith in myself. Plus, I get so attached to the little creations that I make that it would hurt me to part with them. Andres said that can only be considered a good thing, that I put so much love and care into each of them that they almost become a part of me. I still want to get better, and learn more sewing techniques though.

Sock Monkey in Progress
Originally uploaded by unraveled

I'm currently working on a neon green monkey for someone at my best friend's job. He's coming along rather nicely. I just wish I could find the time to work on him non-stop, but that isn't possible with a wild 19-month-old running around. He's down for a nap now, so I better start working on finishing this monkey up while I do have some peace and quiet!