This year has already started out on a positive note. More on that in a bit.
As you know if you've read recently previous posts, I have started a new business called Spinning My Wheel Fibers. It just felt right. I love what I'm doing (the creating part of it anyway) and I was so hyped up at first!
Then, the wind went out of my sales because I had spoken to a few people about going into business as a newbie to spinning. I also had done some research/reading online and started feeling like there are a LOT of fiber artists out there - everything from people who spin and want to sell their yarns, to amazing fiber artists that create amazing works of art using all sorts of mediums, including fiber. After all of this happening, I sort of felt like I was going to get lost in the crowd, not stand out, mainly because others told me that you have to be traditional and fit in. Not exactly my style. So, I listened to my gut, and shut the negative voices off in my head.
I focused on what I want to do and what I want to be and how I want my art to be created. Yes, that's right. I focused really really hard on those 3 things. I know I want to be different, it's just who I am. I want to be someone who knows how to listen to the materials I'm using, and create what they want to be. I want to stand out, be me, and be true to myself. I know I want to create what comes from my heart, and feel my art.
When I figured out the answers, it came - just like that - it came. I'm going to do what feels right to me - no, my yarns won't look like they came from a mill. No, my yarns won't be traditional and perfect. I'm anything but traditional and perfect - why should my yarns be? And YES, I know in my heart of hearts, there is a place for me, and my fibers, in whatever form they may take.
Instead of starting another website just for my own things as opposed to the www.cottage-artists.com website where I share my art with two of my friends, I decided to start a Facebook page. I just put it up and I have 36 Likes already! I'm pretty happy about that - but if you want to go check it out and Like it, I'd be even happier! :-)
My brother, bless his heart, posted my new page on his page. Someone he knows, has been thinking about using hand spun yarns in her new venture with knitted sweaters. This person is a Master Tailor and has been creating her own clothing for 40 years. She is now starting this new venture with her sweaters and wants to have something original, different, non-traditional. Well, I fit the bill! At her request, I contacted her, and we made a deal on some yarn I already have, and she purchased it. Whoooohoooo!!!!!
I got to use my Pay Anywhere App on my IPhone too. First time for that. I wanted to be able to swipe a card, but seeing as this customer is in Utah, and I'm in Virginia, that wasn't going to happen. Pay Anywhere was awesome - I called them, they told me what to do and walked me through the entire thing. Not that I couldn't have figured it out on my own, but I was SO nervous! Now, I'm an old pro - ha ha ha.
I look forward to my customer using my yarns, and if she's happen with it, then we will be doing business on a regular basis.
After taking care of all of that business, I spent almost 2 hours on Paradise Fibers website to find some new fibers that I thought would interest my customer. She's looking for natural, and also for different. I ordered a Yak and Merino blend. THAT should be interesting! See, different and non-traditional. I hope I'm good enough to spin the different fibers I ordered! I also ordered some organic cotton and I'm anxious to spin that also. I also suggested BFL to my customer and she hadn't heard of that before. I told her how nice and soft it is, and pretty in it's undyed natural form. She sounded happy about it so I ordered some of that too. I should have some fun stuff arriving soon. I got a good deal - spent $150.00 and got a $50 gift card to go along with it to use on my next order. Yay!
I also spent several hours photographing yarns, processing the photos (had to do lots of digital fixing as I can't seem to get my photographs to turn out well), and a lot of time on the computer yesterday. I know it takes a real commitment to keep a business going. Website, social media, blogging, photographing, accounting (ICK), labeling, packaging, and on and on and on. It's especially hard since all I really want to do, is create! But I know in order to be successful, I also have to do all the mundane boring work that goes along with the creating..........
Here is a photo I took today.
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| Red and Purple Fun Yarn with sparkle! |
I'm going to work on making a light box, diffusing the light, and see if that helps.
If you have any suggestions for me, please let me know - I'm really having a time of getting my yarn colors to be true. VERY frustrating!
So the beginning of my new year has been quite adventurous and I'm pretty happy. I have to remember to keep the vision, be true to myself, and work from my heart, and believe in myself! I know if I can keep those things in mind, and live in the moment, I'll do well, and be happy.
So Happy New Year to my followers. I wish for you, a joyous, prosperous, and great 2013!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing my journey,
Martha
