Friday, June 12, 2009

The Part Where the Author Shares Some Good News

As I mentioned yesterday, the Farmer and I see his impending unemployment as an opportunity to explore some new possibilities. Our retirement plans have been affected by the downturn in the economy but we've always been the kind of people who can adjust their expectations. We've had many discussions along the lines of, "Our retirement probably won't look like this, we'll probably have to scale down our plans."

Believe me when I say that this has saved us a lot of heartache. You definitely need to have dreams, and it's good to dream big, but you should never be married to your dreams. That can create disappoint as big as a mountain.

I'd like to thank everyone for your words of encouragement and tales of similar experiences. Isn't it good to know that we're not alone in our struggles? It's a wonderful thing to know that you have a well of wisdom to draw from. Thanks also for telling your friends to come and read. I appreciate it.

Last fall when the herb business sold, the Farmer and I had a clue that things would take a different turn. At that time I had a seed of an idea. I've been selling my aprons and handbags locally and for a short while I had an Etsy shop. The problem was that I didn't really need the income and there was no sense of purpose behind my efforts. Nothing is more motivating than the thought that you've got to put some bacon on the table!

I made a plan and used my small advertising income to buy my new sewing machine. I put things in motion and next Friday I'll be unveiling my new Etsy shop called, "Farmer's Wife - At Home". I'll be offering my aprons, handbags (with a lucky penny tucked inside), some cute little wallets, cotton dishcloths, vintage linens and whatever else I can dream up. I fully expect the Farmer to serve as a consultant and I don't intend to pay him a penny!

This endeavor reminds me of all the women who've gone before me. There are so many fascinating stories about women who've taken the initiative to help their families and improve their lot in life. My Aunt Em worked in the Mars candy factory and a school cafeteria to help put her children through college.

My neighbor Margie has lived on her little farmette for over 60 years. In my eyes she was a homesteader! Her and her husband build their small house. They had electricity but no central heat. Margie tells a story about scrubbing her kitchen floor and her hands and knees. In the winter the water would freeze before she finished the task. Her husbands salary was stretched as far as it would go. Undeterred she got a job and bought that furnace.

Let me know if you have an Etsy shop or sell something online. I'd love to do some reviews and feature women who are entrepreneurs.

Thanks again for taking time from your busy day to stop in and visit with me.

25 comments:

Michelle said...

I think it is wonderful that you are so positive and taking the initiative with your Etsy shop. I can't wait to see all of your items. Best of luck!!

Anonymous said...

Suzanne-I can't wait to see your work. I agree with you about the dreams. So many times folks have big dreams and when they don't work out they have such great disappointment. Our son that is on his way back to the country today had a big issue with that. He played for a long time and then is his early 30s decided it was time to grow up, put himself through college and found that 'dream' job. The economy has put a hold on that dream and it was a very hard task for him to decide to return to his roots and start again. Those dreams are there to make us reach for them and strive for them, but they can also be changed and moderated. If I couldn't dream I don't know if I could handle the 'challenges' of life, sometime those challenges just make us stronger than we thought we were. I know that your new endeavor will bring you success. Go for it!

Thirkellgirl said...

No kidding, I was folding some vintage linens yesterday (I unloaded the huge linen closet in my laundry room, the out-of-season storage closet, and the hunting closet, and had a huge pile of everything everywhere, but I digress) and thinking, "I wonder if SUZANNE makes tablecloths or table-runners..." Can't wait for your Etsy shop! You are SUCH a perfectionist when it comes to sewing!

You need some of those little printed tags that say "from the sewing machine of the Farmer's Wife" or somesuch...

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

I don't have an ETSY shop but I blog with Michelle and have bought 3 bags from her.
http://sugarcreekstuff.blogspot.com/
She is a stay-at-home Mom who is trying to help out the home financially.

Ang. said...

*clap-clap-clap-clap*

Bravo for forging ahead! I cannot wait to see your shop. I have been trying to uncover my sewing table so I can get back to what I love. I am sure drooling over your beautiful creations will give me some incentive.

Anonymous said...
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Lisa said...

I am so excited to see the grand opening of your shop! Aprons, handbags, linens....can't wait!

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

Do you know what I love about you? You always say things I need to hear at the exact moment I need to hear them...

Steph said...

Those cotton dish cloths sound right up this cotton farmer's alley! :)

JC said...

I hope your esty shop goes well for you.

Heidi said...

***BIG HUGS*** I will put a link on a blog for you, but I think you send me half of my traffic so - people will be looking at you twice!! LOL your a great seamstress, so I am sure you will have plenty of business AND if you are ever in the mood to move... there may be jobs up here in the big woods!

Michelle said...

Suzanne, have you ever read, "The Alchemist"? Wonderful book about the changes in life and how they really work in your favor to point you in the direction you are meant to go.

Heather said...

First of all...LOVE the new layout. So cute.
Secondly, I am truly sorry that the Farmer is losing his job, but so proud of how you are rolling up your sleeves and moving on with things. You've inspired me! And lastly, I can't WAIT to see your Etsy shop!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry about your husband's job but I am glad you have another outlet to hopefully make some money. I am excited to see your etsy shop. I keep telling myself I'm gonna teach myself to make an apron. Maybe I'll just get one from you instead and save my fingers. LOL Good luck!

Sabina said...

Suzanne, it was so good to see your comment on my blog. I love your writing voice. It always feels as if I am in the room with you as you tell your funny/interesting/real stories.

I can't wait to check out your Etsy shop!! Dreams keep us going - that and paying the light bill.

Take care!!

Unknown said...

Thrilled! I am so thrilled! that you are going to have your aprons and such for sale on Etsy! When I first read your blog, you had an apron or two featured. I always thought they were terrific. Now I will have a chance to buy one and MORE! (My birthday is in July!) Bravo for your tenacity!

Ruta M. said...

So sorry to hear about the Farmer's job. It's scary how much our lives can be changed by one event. But you have the spirit to see that there are ways out of every situation. Lack of financial security can be very worrying and in these difficult times it is very hard to find a way to earn an income but happyness itself is not dependant on income but upon outlook and you definitely have a positive outlook on life. Hoping all goes well with your new venture.

Kitty said...

I look forward to seeing your Etsy shop and all of your "creativeness"! I wish you much success!
Dreams are good and money is a neccessity but spending time with those you love is priceless. Plan ahead, dream big, but live for the present and find happiness where you are. To quote a Sheryl Crow song "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got".
Good luck with all your endeavors!

life in red shoes said...

So inspirational!
Do you read Homespun Living's blog? She sells her wares through a shop on her blog, not nearly as consuming as ETSY. Seriously Suzanne, people know you, I think they would be more apt to buy from your own website! I love my calendar, keep making those and selling your wonderful photo's.
There are actually some reaaly good things coming out of this downturn, it makes you really think about how you spend that hard earned dollar.

Debbie Linkous said...

Suzanne - my heart goes out to everyone who is struggling in today's economy. Those whom have lost jobs are especially unfortunate because there just aren't that many jobs out there to be had. While I don't have an Etsy store (yet...haven't figured it out) I do have an online business at www.debralinkous.com. I started out as a professional photographer, and it's evolved into this and I'm so enjoying it!

Julie H said...

Good luck with your Etsy shop I'm sure you will be a big success!

Granny Jan said...

Suzanne - please let me know when you open your Etsy shop. I lost my job a couple of years ago. While surfing the internet, I saw a sock monkey and just had to try my hand at making them. I was hooked! I've now made over 100 of them (and sell them on Etsy http://yackyjan.etsy.com), created a web site to "give them a voice"...they actually write the stories on the site and just a couple of weeks ago, I opened my second Etsy shop...The Side-Tracked Crafter (http://sidetrackedcrafter.etsy.com) for all those crafts that get me side-tracked from making sock monkeys. I love Etsy and bet you will do well there.

Jan

Mary said...

Suzanne, I'm so sorry to hear about the Farmer's job. These are scary times. I'm really terrible when it comes to writing something from the heart, but please know that I'm thinking of you. I'd be happy to put your link in a post, if that will help at all. Let me know. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing your etsy shop. :)

Oh, and I love the new look!
xoxo,
Mary

J'Ollie Primitives said...

I'm an accidental entrepreneur. Our online business evolved from a little classroom project to a full-time job. I thank God daily for it.
I worked as a nurse and for our business, both full-time jobs, concurrently. Just before Christmas, when the website was going gangbusters, I was laid off from my "real" job. Interesting timing.
I'd love to link with your business through our site...or support your venture in any way possible.

Marfa (Formula For A Life) said...

Ohhh...I really like your ideas. I can't wait to see you create your things and put your plan in action. Since you mention it, I also have an Etsy shop. So far I'm selling jewelry and a sugar body scrub that I make myself. You can go to my etsy shop by going to www.designsbymarfa.etsy.com