Happy New Year!
My blog writing dipped severely last year as I was rather busy with the littles, remodelling our little farmhouse and I went back to work to help finance the afore mentioned. I also chose the busiest year I’ve had to start a small business with my crafting skills. Do I take on too much for myself? Probably.
So , my small business is called Arlycrafts and I can be found on Facebook , not Snapchat or Instagram, nor on Twitter , because apparently at 47 years old, I’m too old to learn new tricks. Swiping up and down , adding a dogs tongue coming out of my mouth and only using 144 characters to say what I have to is beyond my capabilities. I like photo journaling and describing what I see or feel. A sticker or OMG just doesn’t do it for me.
Back to my small business. I started making hand made wooden signs and embroidered items. Then a Cricut Explore Air came into my life. Game changer. This little sucker can cut paper or vinyl from a design I make on my iPhone then send via Bluetooth to it!! Whaaaat? I still don’t understand how electricity works !!
I’ve been making decals, custom tee shirts and signs for a few months and really enjoying it. My only issue is that I’m a perfectionist and spend way too many hours perfecting the designs and cutting them out. At the prices I charge I’m sure to be making a loss. But…is that really the worst problem to have ? It does bring more than a little anxiety for me , but also a degree of pleasure and fulfilment. I believe it balances itself.
I’m a nomadic crafter. Let me explain. I have a short attention span and get bored easily ,so am always looking for new ideas and crafts. I get really involved in tee shirt production but the following week I’m making candles, then the next week I’m onto glitter covered tumblers. The amount of craft supplies I have is staggering. I am thankful for Amazon prime and Hobby Lobby coupons.
This week I’m back to the glitter tumblers that leave sparkles wherever I go. Even the dog was glistening yesterday and I brushed some off the counter she was standing under, hoping for a titbit. That may have her scratching for a few days, sorry pup.
I believe my therapy is my crafting. Rather that than medication , chemicals or electric shock therapy ( I have witnessed this and it does work , but that’s another long story !)
laundry and lemon curd 