I was having coffee with a friend the other day and he pointed out that I have become the quintessential 1950’s housewife and we both laughed. I have known him since I was 20 years old, so we both remember my Beat generation, damn the man, I’ll always be a free artist phase. But when you have kids, things change. Some of us long for roots and security. A place for the kids to come home, some stability. My need to keep an organized life has come out ten-fold and I have heard a lot of moms say that. I strive to make their lives orderly and all-natural with great chemical-free food, because that’s how my kids thrive. My kids are not about chaos and rambunctious play. Every child is different, of course, but my life has become about grocery shopping for good quality food, keeping an organized house and making sure they have clean underwear. Like my friend said, the perfect 1950’s stay-at-home mom life. It used to make me feel anti-feminist, but now I realize I’m not being an awful female just because I chose a seemingly traditional role….but that is a whole other conversation.
Even though I am a stay-at-home, I am not the bored housewife portrayed in movies. I still have a little bit of the artist left in me. My creative soul is still alive and well- I am not JUST a mom. There are a lot of ladies out there just like me, or even more ambitious. I have met a lot of maker moms and it makes my heart swell with pride. I kind of feel that all of us girl makers out there are in this together. What about you?
Awhile ago, I was convinced to start an Etsy shop to showcase some crochet goods I make. I struggled with it, because I felt it made me even more of a cliche. A stay-at-home mom that blogs and has an Etsy shop are a dime a dozen. So I researched to make sure that, if I was to be a cliche, I would do it “right”. However, I immediately read all the articles and compared myself to others and began to overthink it. Instead of making what I love, I started to think in terms of “will it sell” and “is it useful”, which became very self-destructive. When you start questioning yourself, you start making things that have no love crocheted in to them and they don’t sell because people can sense it. And if it did sell really well? That would be terrible! Then I would be stuck making a ton of an item I didn’t really want to create in the first place!! Now, at my Etsy shop, Babbling Panda Yarns, I only have a couple of items but I am extremely proud of them. I can’t wait to add a couple more. Another difference is that I can’t wait to make more of them because they were so fun to create!
A product I am proud of!
So I have learned my lesson. I have a few great ideas that I am really passionate about selling. I’m ready to be more true to myself when I am being creative. Here’s hoping it resonates with others as well! I am always open to suggestions for selling on Etsy or business strategies that have worked for you. I am soooo… new to this that any advice is very welcomed. I feel so green and kind of lost at times. Advice and suggestions met with open arms, just leave them in the comments! And thank you in advance.
Do you make stuff or blog? I would love to follow you. Please leave your info in the comments!
Any other stay-at-home moms sometimes struggle with your role?
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