I have heard it said that it’s good to make your hobby your job – to do what you love, to make money from it. Do you agree with that? Sometimes I do, and other times I wish I felt free to just design and sew for pleasure, for me or for gifts.
I have been working outside of my home for the past year, and it is harder to find time to sew enough to make real income. Often, I am just too tired to go into the sewing room! If you work outside your home — or if you have a high-maintenance household (children, for example) — how do you keep the joy in creative work and actually make time for it? Is it all about organization? Self-discipline?
Can creativity be accomplished on a schedule? Obviously, you can allot a certain time frame for the actual work, but can you be creative like that?
There are several ladies on etsy who make good money with their sewing. They are very talented, efficient people, and I hope their ability will rub off on me. Check out the Quiltsy listings!
Share your thoughts… how do you do it all?
GloryQuilts 
Hi Cathe!!! Happy New Year! I had a very hard time being creative when I was working. I’ve just started reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, and it looks really good – she insists being creative is a habit, and that it works very well by using a routine. I always thought I had to be “inspired” to start something…but I’m learning that if I am just faithful to show up, the creativity happens.
I’m going to try to turn my hobby into a business this year. It’s the only way I can keep it as a hobby, anyway – there’s no extra money to keep going unless I do that. See if your library has this book, I think it’s going to be a great one, I’m only one chapter in and I’ve already learned a lot!
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Thanks – I ordered that from the library!
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Okay, I read your book, Allie. It’s sort of the opposite of what my life looks like; the author is a single, childless woman who believes you should “live your art” and totally immerse yourself in it. She is a choreographer. She has no other responsibilities or job! She had some good ideas, though, and I have been thinking about them. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have been good about sewing lately, because I am preparing for and arts and crafts sale. That always gets me moving. I won’t sell a thing, but I get exposure and will have more stock to sell on etsy!
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