Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Meet me at the crossroads

Boxes

Thirteen months ago I took a redundancy from my job and decided to stay at home for at least three months and live a more creative life. My aim was to ultimately find ways to live creatively all the time, rather than just during annual leave or on weekends.

I sewed a lot and started an online shop. I won't lie - it was hard. It was very lonely working from home in the middle of winter, with only ABC local radio for company. I found that as a naturally anxious person, I needed to schedule my day or else I'd get bogged down in irrelevant stuff, forget to go to the post office, or forget to eat lunch. But the shop was also a lot of fun, and I thrived on the interactions I had with my blog readers and the people who purchased stuff in the shop. I learned a lot - about pricing, marketing, branding and communications. I learned to control my anger when people bought stuff and then didn't pay. I learned which post office in the inner north was the easiest to use for international postage (Lyneham, and you can pop next door to Tilley's for a latte when you're finished).

But mortgages need to be paid, and I was craving human contact outside of my friends and husband. So I went back to work as a contractor and stayed in that job for eight months. It was a great job, but the long hours, the long commute and an unreasonable amount of stress heaped upon me took their toll. I left, with two more months of work on offer. I just couldn't do it any longer. I hadn't crafted for months, my husband had forgotten who I was, and my friends were very worried about my mental health (and don't worry - I'm not going back there.)

It's been six weeks since I left, and I've hardly raised a finger to find another job. My excuse was that I was sick for three weeks, so I didn't feel I'd had enough of a break. My CV is in with my pimp (also known as my agency) but jobs are light on at the moment. Honestly, I also don't think I'm ready to return to office work.

I realised today that I have unconsciously been ramping up production at Buttontree Lane. And I realised something else when I was packing up some bags to be sent out, filling in custom forms and writing out addresses I- figured I needed to start taking this thing seriously. Actually, I need to start realising that I have been taking this thing seriously for ages, and hadn't understood it until that moment. I have a box of 100 postpacks in the spare bedroom. A box. I have labels, and Moo cards, and a pile of custom forms and air mail stickers in a box. In a couple of months a gallery in Braidwood will be stocking my bags and brooches. I've just bought a whole wad of fabric for the shop. I'm about to embark on some sponsorship and advertising. I am applying for an ABN.

When people ask me what I do, from now on I'm going to tell them I work from home. I'm not being up myself about this, and I understand that I'll have people trying to knock me down a peg or five. I know I will never be able to make a huge living from this, but I can try really hard to contribute to the household expenses. And if I do get a job outside the home, I'll be a lot more careful to consider the time it takes to keep the shop going, and not go AWOL like I did last time.

Now, what are the chances that I'll get a phone call from my pimp tomorrow about a job?

26 comments:

  1. I'd say a high chance you get a call - but because you've committed to something else you can ask for exactly what you want (or need) like three days a week, 10am-3pm, and if they don't accept then you can walk away. Just because they call doesn't mean you have to take it.

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  2. Heh, you probably will get a call. But now you are in a position to say no. And not feel bad about it. Unless it's your absolute dream job. But it sounds to me like you've found your dream job already. And I think that's fantastic!

    (also - congrats on getting a shop stockist, that is very cool!!)

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  3. Wow, what a great post Michelle! So proud of you for realising where you're at and what your needs really are. And you know, I get SO many compliments on my Sunnyboy (especially at Brown Owls) - your work is beautiful, high quality stuff and yes, you probably will get that phone call tomorrow now...

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  4. Good on you Michelle. Your stuff looks like its of the highest quality and you look like you thoroughly enjoy it. That should be all that really matters. Work around that and everything will fall into place.

    All the best for the future.
    Nikki

    (I randomly found your blog, and have just been catching up on your posts.)

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  5. Congrats on the shop stockist, that is awesome!

    Have you thought about a stall at Handmade?

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  6. Michelle, how scary and exciting for you all at once (and of course you will get a phonecall from your pimp tomorrow)....
    Can I say I am a teeny bit jealous? but there will be no knocking of pegs from me - I am off to buy a sunnyboy right now to celebrate !!!

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  7. Congratulations on getting the gallery to stock your work. You deserve it as your bags are gorgeous and well made . I love them. I stay at home and when people ask what I do I say washerwoman.

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  8. Have you also considered having stock in the Craft ACT Shop?

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  9. I think you should take the phone off the hook so that the pimp can't contact you for a little while!

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  10. Wow - you sound so settled and happy, and decisive - congratulations!

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  11. I don't care if the pimp calls. When he says that he has some supreme, dream joblet you just say NO. Because you, just made an extremely important DECISION. It may have been wafting in the wings for a while, but it hung around until you were ready to see it. If you don't give it a right good go then you'll have to answer to the 'What ifs?'.

    Sorry, I come over extremely pushy when it comes to leaps of faith!

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  12. How cool that you have a shop that wants your stuff. I knew they would want it, we all love your stuff.

    With your ABN you can get some sweet deals on an iPhone, and be able to claim it on your tax!!

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  13. How exciting... and ABN makes it seem so 'grown up'.. I know you'll do super well (coz your stuff is ACE) - Serena

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  14. Oooh, you give me hope!!! I think that's wonderful. (My first thought, though, upon reading was REALLY? It's been 13 months?? Where did the time go?) I used to work from home, although it wasn't my own business--I was a telecommuting employee. I loved it. It was my favorite job because I am quite hopeless when it comes to dealing with stupid office politics and busywork just to put face time in. I like being in charge of my own time, and was always quite efficient. If/when the time comes that I, well, have time of my own, I hope to do something like you are doing. I'm so glad for you.

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  15. Go for it. What a great post. It sounds lovely and you know the winter will end and it will be spring and you'll be doing what you want in cherry blossom time. Wow. That is happy, happy times.

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  16. Hurrah!
    I'm so excited for you that you have decided to take that next step!
    You know, I think we spend way to much time worrying about what we aren't doing/being, instead of celebrating whate we are!
    And I can't wait to see the goodies you sew up for the shop - you always choose the bestest fabrics!!!
    xo

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  17. No taking of pegs here, in fact I'm standing by to hand you a few to step up on because you're brave and talented and in charge!

    Go Michelle!

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  18. Congratulations on making a life changing decision. The phone can ring all it wants, but if they don't agree to your terms then maybe it just isn't worth it! Looking forward to seeing more boxy, sunny boy goodness.

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  19. Good on you for working from home. I have been a SAHM for 7 years now, nearly 8 and it is very hard to get back into the workforce. I too suffer from anxiety and it can become very isolating to say the least so the more interaction with people (in a good way)is always good for the soul. I hope your endeavours do very well in your box bags which I absolutely love by the way and have bought too. The sunny boy bags were a big hit too last year for xmas presents so I say just get to making more as they look fantastic. I hope you find a job that you really love next time but perhaps this one from home is the one!

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  20. I work from home for my normal full time job and have done for years so i know how isolating it can feel. I have though never felt any further from isolated since joining this blogging community that takes so much time to support and encoutage you. Good on you I think for embracing who you feel you need to be. You spend more time at work than you do with your family but people dont put anywhere near enough thought into it.
    I am so vague, I have been at Quitling Mick thinking "where is she" so glad I have found you again!

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  21. Well done on your decision. I'm glad you've figured it out that the 'work from home' model is a good one. I'm looking forwared to reading more of your adventures.

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  22. Sorry for posting a comment so long after you posted this Michelle, but I couldn't read and not comment.

    Your post really made me smile, you sound so confident and content with the direction your life and business is taking you at the moment. I'm really really pleased. A big congrats on getting a stockist, and if you ever want/need anyone to do some scoping of potential stockists down here, just say the word.

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  23. What an absolutely wonderful post Michelle. Good for you. I hope that all your dreams come true.

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  24. Wonderful post, have blogged about the link, all the best, Laurel xx

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  25. Sorry I have been rather absent of late, hadn't realised you'd moved blogs (duh). Have updated my link. ANYWAY.

    Congratulations on making this decision. As someone who has worked from home for nearly 12 years, and has an ABN, I can honestly say that - while it's hard, and sometimes tedious, and my income isn't crash hot - I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being my own boss, being able to be creative, and being responsible for what happens in my professional life. I'm sure you've made the right decision!!

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