I feel like it has been FOREVER since I blogged. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with things I just stop doing some things completely. My blog has definitely been neglected in the last month.
The reason why is because in the middle of February I finally did something that has been on my mind for 4 years. If any of you are friends with me on facebook, you know that I have been sewing for about 5 years now. Every now and then ill get the idea that I should open an Etsy Shop. A lot of my hesitation has been because of my own insecurities. (My stuff won’t sell. I’m afraid of putting myself out there. I’m not good enough... blah blah blah) Well, one day I decided, life isn’t about just sitting around waiting for the perfect moment. We have to make the perfect moment. (I think that’s actually a quote from someone.) So, I finally opened my own handmade shop! Here it is:https://www.etsy.com/shop/Manghammade
Please give me feed back! Email me. Message me. Its still new. Im new at this. The best advice that got me to finally take the plunge was to just START! The best feedback is definitely from friends!
So what changed? Last year, while searching amazon, I randomally came across this book called “Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon. I bought it and its follow up book called “Show your work” (hey if parenthesis and periods are in the wrong spots, I apologize. I’m not a writer)
The book sort of just has this “DO SOMETHING” feel to it. When I first read it, is when I started my own blog. I wasn’t ready for the whole open your own shop thing. One of the things that inspired me about this book was what it said that's at the top of this post. "Be an Amateur" He says "Don't worry, for now, about how you'll make money or a career off it. Forget about being an expert or a professional, and wear your amateurism (your heart, your love) on your sleeve. Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you" pg 19, Steal like an Artist
So here it is! Here's my start to this journey. I know ill make a ton of mistakes, but its ok! We need to continually educate ourselves and try to get better.
Here are some other excerpts that I have underlined that i love:
“School is one thing. Education is another. The two don’t always overlap. Whether you’re in school or not, it’s always your job to get yourself an education.” Pg 19 Steal like an artist.
"Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love and you'll attract people who love that kind of stuff. It's that simple. Pg 132 Show your work
" You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life" Pg 11 Steal like an artist
"In my experience, it's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are." Pg 27
The last quote is basically is the reason why I started this whole journey. Is that i'm trying to figure myself out. Who am I in this world, state, city, family? Don't get me wrong. I love being a Mom, but for some reason I keep striving for more. I found this quote while doing some bible study and I feel like it fits why i feel this way.
If there is something that’s stirring in your creative mind/soul that you want to do but you don’t think your ready. Read these books! It will make you want to do something! It will give you advice on what to do as well! They are also fairly inexpensive too, which is a plus! Let's create and do new things together!
My shop has been open for a month now! i’ve been pretty excited! I’ve had a few sales and it’s helped me keep going! This week i’ve introduced tote bags! Check them out! AND for the month of March im giving 20% off anything in my shop! Use code: birthday20
