Friday, April 10, 2015

thoughts on closing up shop



Several months ago, I transitioned from selling patterns through Etsy to selling exclusively through Ravelry. There were many factors that went into this decision, one of the major ones being the fact that I knew, come Spring, I wanted to close up shop.

Let me back up a little bit here. For the past two years I have really enjoyed selling my handmade items. I did this a bit through both Etsy and Dawanda, as well as at shops and events here in Marburg. I also worked on a lot of custom orders over the past few years- working with friends and family to design something specific for their loved ones and then knitting it up for them. Though I had many positive experiences, my heart just hasn't been in it these past few months. 

And it just became time for me to face the facts and be honest about that reality. 

I put so much time and love into everything I make. This is not unique to me- the nature of knitting (and crochet) requires it. Our stitches create the fabric that becomes our finished items and those stitches are created using nothing but our own two hands. 

For the past few months, I dealt with a lot of stress and anxiety in relation to knitting for others. I worried the entire time I was knitting that the recipient wouldn't like what I had made. That it somehow would fall below their expectations and they would send it back. And my worries were not groundless- this did happen. Several times I got sent back the items I had worked so hard to design and make (that, after the cost of wool and shipping, I had made no profit on...) asking if I could just tweak this or that, or alter the item in some way. 

Obviously, this is no one's fault. I am simply not a machine that can crank out items left and right with no end. Neither am I a big box department store, with unending options for size and color all for the lowest price you can name. I am just me, sitting in my tiny living room studio with my yarn and my needles, producing made by hand, time and love intensive, uniquely designed pieces. This is what I have to offer. And I've come to realize that there is nothing wrong with that at all. Some people just aren't used to buying handmade and that is ok. Everyone needs to start somewhere. To be honest, the bigger hurdle is that I just don't feel that selling the items I make fits with what I want to do anymore. 

During the Fall and into the Holiday season, I missed knitting for me. I missed knitting for Waldi (who has worn every single imperfect thing that's ever come flying off my needles and landed in his lap). I missed having knitting as a creative and meditative outlet. And I knew that something had to change. 

So for now, I've closed up shop and am not taking any custom orders. I'm still making the occasional gift of course but they're mostly unexpected gifts that come from the heart. I am really thankful for all the experiences of the past few years- some were absolutely lovely. And I may very likely re-open the shop at some point. 

But for now, I'm just here, trying to keep it real and do what I love. 




Just as a side note, I will continue to sell patterns, and even have a few new designs in the works. You can find them all through RavelryWhen I transitioned from selling on Etsy, somehow the cowl shown above got lost in the shuffle. It was the first item I ever designed and the first pattern I wrote up to share and it has a special place in my heart. So it's been re-released today (under a new name!) and is now also available as a free download here. I know it's not the season for knitting cowls, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyways. 

9 comments:

  1. I had a similar experience a few years ago and have to say that I have rediscovered my love for making, now it is just for fun. For me the solution was to find a job I love that has nothing to do with making but does allow me to buy what I need to be as creative as I want at home. I hope you find a solution that suits you soon! And thank you so much for the free cowl pattern, I think your designs are lovely :)

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    1. oh, I'm so happy to hear that you've rediscovered your love for making- in the end that's what it's all about! Thank you so much for your kind words about the pattern. I hope you enjoy it!

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  2. So sad to hear this! I can relate to your story a lot.. lately I've only been crocheting projects for others, and there is no relaxation in it anymore. Instead of wanting to knit or crochet, I feel like I have to. I'm also thinking about going from selling handmade to selling patterns and writing more blogposts. I hope it works out for you!

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    1. oh, I'm sorry to hear that! It really can be so stressful to be constantly making for others and that's hard because craft should be something we can fully enjoy. I hope you find a solution that works for you. Selling patterns has been really great in my experience, though I've only very minimally done so but I know some people are hesitant to share their designs.

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  3. I'm sorry to hear you are closing up but I understand why - it's hard to have a business and sell on Etsy. I have my photography priced for profit and still, with fees and all I often barely break even. Having to deal with customers and the pressure can really take the fun out of it (ask me how I know - I went through a pretty dark time with my photography last fall). I hope you are rediscovering the joy of making things just for you because the most important thing is to love what you do :)

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    1. thanks Kristina. Yes, it can be so hard- your Etsy shop is beautiful and it's very obvious how much time and work you put into your photos, and I hope that you too are able to keep loving what you do, even as you work with the pressure of customers and pricing!

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    2. Thanks so much Ruth! Thankfully the bad phase has passed now and I am back to being in love with photography :) I think a few ups and downs are normal, but the downs aren't fun.

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  4. It’s too bad that you’re closing up shop. Though it might be the best move to make, given your situation. But it’s good that you're still selling patterns, so your online market presence does not completely go away. And should you decide to sell some of the things you’ve created later on, you won’t have to start from scratch again. Anyway, good luck on your future ventures, and I wish you all the best!

    Darin Norman @ Nova TP

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  5. I had thought of selling my knitwear on etsy simply because I love to knit but I don't need tons of scarfs cowls and hats. But I just haven't been into it. Some people have seen images on Instagram and bought from me but I much prefer to knit for those I adore and for the homeless. After one guys complaining and frankly his ignorance of handmade knitwear I've just decided that road isn't for me. It for sure isn't the reason I learned to knit and fell so in love with it in the first place.

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