I consider myself a creative person. There have been times in my life when I haven’t had an outlet for my creativity, but lately that hasn’t been the case. It hasn’t been the case for years. I write. I take photos. I sew. Yeah, I sew… I mean, I can sew. But, I don’t like to. At all.
When Q was a baby, he drooled a LOT. I designed special bibs for him and he wore them around the clock. All day. Everyday. I loved them and he never seemed to mind them. They kept him dry and everyone was happy.
Soon my friends started asking about them and I eventually started taking orders for baby showers and Q’s friends. It was really cool that people saw worth in something I had created – from scratch. My brother built me a website with eCommerce and orders came in. A lot of thought had gone into them and I appreciated the recognition.
However.
I didn’t like making them. I didn’t enjoy the process. It was time-consuming and I was on maternity leave and wanted to spend time with Q.
Eventually, I went back to work and it all fell by the wayside. But, I didn’t forget about them. I still make them for friends and family on occasion.
It nags at me, though – something in me wants me to make it work. To make it happen. To suck it up and look at the process as a means to an end. Maybe I could learn to love it. Maybe.
I’m torn. I am sitting on this great product – a product of my creation. Sitting. I feel like I am wasting it, but I am unsure what to do with it.
So, my trusted friends. What would you do? What do you think I should do?
I love your bibs, and I think that if you could get them out there it would be great, but if you hate doing it it will become a chore and not at all fun!
Though, since I now have a drooler I have a few ideas for you!!! Shorter ones so they are like little collars only so that if they are wearing a shirt with something on it you can still see the shirt. And other shapes. I saw a site with homemade bibs (claiming the same sort of idea) with fun shapes…..
I don’t know what I would do honestly. I personally steer away from things I don’t like to do – however I do have a garden because I like to watch the flowers grow but I do NOT like to weed….
Great analogy about weeding. It does feel like a chore.
Thanks for the ideas – I will hit you up if I do decide to pursue it.
It truly looks like a great product! And those are some awesome pictures of Q! I understand why you feel torn, but if you truly hate to sew why would you do it? You don’t seem like the type of person who would do something you hate just because it seems like the right thing to do. Hmm… do you have any family members who love to sew? You could take the orders and run the business and they could sew the bibs! But you probably wouldn’t make much money if you actually had to pay someone to help you (unless the person enjoys sewing so much that they don’t want to get paid – how lucky would that be!!). If not, I think that occasionally making them for friends/family is plenty. The fact that you created this product and made it yourself (even though you don’t enjoy it) makes the gift that much more special!
Ok, that was long-winded!
Thanks, Shannon! MIL has suggested I find people who are willing to make them for me, but you’re right, I wouldn’t come away with much.
You are also right (and astute), I am not someone who does things I don’t like for the sake of doing it. And, I don’t feel compelled to make them except the fact that I designed and created them – and I’m actually pretty proud of them. I just wish I could snap my fingers and there they’d be.
First of all, that looks freaking brilliant.
But if you don’t love it, I don’t know… I don’t think I’d pursue it. I was actually talking w/ hubby over the weekend about how I’m not crafty. And he goes “but you’ve made quilts!” and I replied “but I hated every minute of it”
So I don’t do it any more. I can, but it makes me miserable to be up to my elbows in thread and bobbins and material that takes more patience than my three year old.
Could you sell your idea to someone? I wonder…
Good luck. I probably didn’t help at all, but I kind of know how you’re feeling.
Thanks, Corinne. I was wondering about selling the design. But, I wouldn’t know where to start to investigate that. I get emails from people wanting to sell them… I just have no desire to make them.
I’m not sure you should do it if you don’t enjoy it, especially right now when you have so little time to spare for all the things you do enjoy. But I agree it is a bit of a conundrum, because the are an awesome produce (wasn’t I suppose buy some?) and with the right work, I think you could take it somewhere.
And sew man, I can hardly thread a needle!
I know, the timing is off. I do have a lot in the works at the moment. I just feel like I’m wasting it.
Yes, you did place an order. I am, um, working on it.
I don’t think you should waste your time. I’m a big believer in not doing things just because you’re good at them–especially if they’re soul-sucking.
Exactly! I think I wanna do it ’cause I am good at it. That is a bad reason. You’re right.
The envious part of me is (that wishes I could craft – you got skills!!) is all – get your ZEN on lady and DO IT. They are so awesome and you could learn to love the process. Or at least not hate it.
BUT. What is your goal? Ideally what do you want out of this situation, and for your life? If crafting sweet bibs is in no way a part of that picture then don’t.
Wish I could though.
If you’re not loving making them, don’t do it. It will feel like a chore. You’ll resent every minute you do it. It will grind you down. (Does it sound like I’ve been there?)
What you *can* do is create a pattern, with photos, and sell it for a dollar or two or three. There are lots of folks selling patterns for things, knits, crafts, sewing.
Then, focus on something you love, do it with passion, enjoy it.
I was going to suggest precisely what Merlene suggests – make a pattern, and sell it instead. Go so far as to make it a pdf that you email once you receive the $$ and then you don’t even have to print patterns. Sure there is the risk that someone will pass along the pattern, but…
I think that you need to love something if it takes that sort of time and creative energy.
(But they are AWESOME. Maybe you could sell the idea to someone? Someone who LOVES SEWING?)