We are not struggling to quick our day jobs-they quit us. About 2.1/2 years ago my husband and I were both working 40+ hour jobs. Just before Christmas we got laid off. We had been lampworking for about 6 months at that time-but never had the opportunity to do it full time. Our jobless selfs had to figure something out. So we decided to take our lampworking up a notch. We started selling here on etsy in January and Last year did over 20 shows. We were able to support ourselves and our two children. We are now in our second year of full time business. When you dream of quitting your day job-you aren't really quitting working, just switching jobs. We now get to work at home and hang out with our kids. We even have time now to go to school. I don't think we could work full time and still make our glass-we would be to exhausted. I commend all of you who create full time and work a real job full time. That is just AMAZING! Good for you!

Love this! I've been wanting to read some Don't-quit-your-day job stories (the reality for most of us)--this is a great one.

I left out the fact that I applaud KBShimmer for all of your hardwork! Your shop is amazing!

Great story, KB! Can I borrow your hubby?? :)

Great story!Thanks for sharing!

I am one of those artists that you said "deep down wants to quit their day job". I do appreciate my job SO much; it's a great place with great people and I'm thrilled I was kept here through three rounds of major layoffs, but.. there are days where I sit here and daydream about all my ideas and crave so much to be home painting instead. And once I get home in the evenings there is homework to help with, dinner and dishes.. so on and so on.. my art comes last. I wish daily I could find more time for it. Thank you SO much for such an inspiring story of dedication and hard work!! I am thankful for the insight from a successful seller who still is working the daily grind. Thank you thank you!

Wishing I could afford to quit, but reality hits... I have to pay for where I live!!! I'm going to do both for a while. Loved the story. XOXOX

Awesome Story! You are doing a wonderful job:)

Great article, very insightful and honest about the challenges and realities of balance. I also think these are the prettiest soaps I think I have ever seen!

Great story!! Thanks for sharing it:)

Great story!

Your soaps are really beautiful! Thanks for the informative article. We are a new shop. I lost my day job last Oct and its been kind of rough but we keep hanging in there and know that with our awesome products we just need to have faith and continue to improve our marketing strategies. Thanks for the inspiration and best to you! I am adding you to our favorites as I love your gorgeous soaps!

This was a great change of pace for the "Quit your day job" series. I can so relate to Christy's story and know that so many others can too. Kudos.

great story!

Great article. I too keep working my day job so that I can support growing my sewing business, without loans and partnering up with any one. I'll be sure to read your words of wisdom again and again, it will keep my grounded in the real world. Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa

Great contrast to the QYDJ series. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Christy. Your soaps are gorgeous!

Wow! I used to work as an Estate Agent - same job but different title due to me being in the UK! And I used to be shattered constantly sue to the hours and stress. You have managed to run a business on the side of this job AND with a family - I am very impressed and really wish you great success!x

Yay! Nice to see a fellow Crafting in Color Team member sharing her story!

Thank you for sharing! I'm a full time jewelry design student, but I fully support myself by my Etsy shop!

absolutely amazing. You must be a goddess!

Very inspiring! A wonderful story that I enjoyed every word of. Lovely soap!

I like the idea of these Working Overtime stories, hope to see many more! This was a great read and i love the photos too! Go Christy!

great story!

This is a great story! You are very fortunate to have such a supporting husband. Congrats on your success! I wish you the best & hope your shop continues to grow! Very inspiring!!

Great story! Continue with the hard work Christy, it will pay off for you someday. Kudos to your husband!

well,when you are in a situation of chronic bad health that you can not go to work outside the house, instead of lying in bed doing nothing, between the pains I take my pencils and inks draw from the bed, or knit, or needlefelt,trying to take the best from what I can do and not focus on what I can not do! My art and craft are helping me to stay vivid and a little bit help, my dream is to be ble to be independent even a little bit, and it will come one day!

I really admire your drive. I too have a family and a full time job, and have to create time for 'creating.' I'm always thinking about what to make next and sneaking something in - cutting fabric in 5 minute windows, etc... I really like hearing how others do it. Keep up the awesome work!

I would love to quit my day job, but I know it's going to take time and I also know I probably can't do it with my Etsy shop alone. I am working to develop three different streams of income so that I can eventually leave the daily grind within the next two years. Thanks for this inspiring article about how to balance everything that needs to be done when you can't quit your day job just yet!

This was a wonderful article to read. Right now Im having to work my jewelry job as well as my dayjob while my fiance fights for unemployment after losing his job, things are hard but I do find time management with my little family and work is the best thing for me. I also agree weekends are a great time to be productive. I do alot of crafting then, and my four year old son helps me and crafts with me. Its always so fun. Im glad you shared your story (and btw lovely shop)

This was great, I work part time, care for a child and run my business. It is a lot of work but very rewarding. And I am with you, I have a very supportive husband. He helps in any way he can. Whether it be turning items while watching a movie, cutting fabric or de-carding buttons. He is also such a good sounding board for ideas. He came up with the forms I use to cut my items, and they have saved me a TON of time. I don't think I could do it if he wasn't so supportive. Keep up the beautiful work!! I now have a new shop to heart!

What a great change this article makes!! As much as I love reading the quit your day job it is much more inspiring to see how people do both Etsy and a day job!! Its great to see what organisation and family support can achieve!!

Loved reading your story! I know so many will appreciate reading it! I am one of the lucky few who was able to quit my day job years ago when I had a bead business. Now with this new adventure, I hope to someday make soap as beautiful as yours!

Christy is the best! I don't know how she does it all. Wonderful story and write up!

Amazing colors!!! Wow!

Beautiful soaps - beautiful husband - beautiful story!

Beautiful products and shop! Wishing you continued success!

Way to go Christy!!! What a great article very inspiring!

Very relatable! I just wish my hubby was as supportive....

Wow, great story, items and a real blessing to have the support system that you have.

As a full time student and worker, I understand how life can be hectic, but crafting is such a part of our lives.. we always make time for that. And hey.. who needs sleeping? :) Great story!

Amazing team/family...gorgeous soaps...congrats

I feel lucky to have a day job I enjoy! It takes the pressure off my small business and allows me to play creatively without worrying about the next mortgage payment. Great article.

Great story, love reading about the ins and outs of other Etsy sellers days! I too don't want to quite my day job cause I am a SAHM, lol. But I love growing my business and seeing it succeed! Off to get some new yummy smelling bath stuff! The bubble bars look fun!

Great interview! Here's to your continued success.

I am a full time kitchen designer with I absolutely love. I also love the fact I work at my family's business, so there is a lot less pressure at my job. Crafting lets me unwind in the evening and allows me a hobby that is rewarding on many levels.

Wow, girl you got some energy and gumption! I totally admire your spirit and hard work! Wishing you all the success in the world making your purdy soaps!

Awww, thank you all, both for the comments on my article and my soaps! I am glad you are enjoying my story. It is a rewarding challange to balance both my real estate job, and KBShimmer, but I love it!

Thanks for your thoughts, KB! Right now I'm good with my day job and making/selling handmade on the side but I hope when my husband and I decide to have kids that I'll be able to quit my day job and focus on making things.

My daughter and I absolutely love that soap!!!

My daughter and I absolutely love that soap!!!

I really enjoyed seeing this perspective. I love my day job and wouldn't quit it, but running a small business brings me a great deal of fulfillment that I don't think I would otherwise have. Huzzah for all the 40 hour a week + my own business on the side people. We rule ; )

Struggling to find a day job to support my shop. In school, and with very little money. And creating all the things I want to for selling is an expensive hobby! But, that's life and I'll keep trying :)

I hear ya, it took 10 years before I quit my job. I didn't want any loans or investors either. Good for you!

Great story! I'm not sure that I could quit my day job, because I do love it and I also love running my own little business. I'm afraid that if I was doing it full time it might not be as fun! I think the stress of my day job makes the creative process more enjoyable.

This is SUCH a great article, thanks so much! I know there are many of us here on Etsy who can relate to this story. I recently decided to greatly reduce my day job hours, but I did not leave my job entirely. Although I am swamped with my business, I feel there are some very important reasons for staying in the workforce. Just loved this article, one of the best I have seen here in a while. Fabulous!

Great interview! I am one who is very thankful for my day job, and don't think I will ever have my art be my full-time income. It's nice to see a feature on this type of perspective.

I hope that this article is the first of many of its kind! It's great to read about quitting your dayjob, but it's more relevant to most of us reading about people balancing in this sort of way, or overcoming interesting hurdles. Cute shop, great article, thanks guys!

Great article!! Thank you so much for sharing!

Dude! I want a room that looks like that ..filled with all those goodies!

WONDERFUL article, thank you Christy for sharing your story (your shop and products are awesome!!!) as I totally understand what your day to day life is like as it is like mine. I work at home as a medical transcriptionist, which is what I did before I opened my shop here on Etsy and I'm very grateful for my "day job" as I am able to work from home doing that job as well so I can work on my business (my office and studio have been combined at home) while on break. My goal still is to "quit my day job" but I need to hold onto that security for a little longer. Thank you Etsy for doing this type of article, it's quite inspiring..now off to check out Christy's fab store some more...

I have no Day Job to quit, I live in a very small town with very few employment opportunities for a person such as myself. I did not attend college or training school, I got married and had kids. I have always been a person who has to be creating something and now I am able to reach many people outside my immediate sphere thanks to the internet and especially Etsy. I would love for this to be more successful but I will take what I can get. I will never stop creating no matter what happens.

I love both my jobs... I get the best of both worlds! Love the colors and varieties of all the soaps. Beautiful.

Your shop is so cute and it looks like your having fun with your creations!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Inspiring to know that everyone runs into issues with starting their business. Helps me know that I will need to just keep plugging away!

Amazing story. Thank you.

What a wonderful story, and such beautiful photos!

Congrats KBShimmer on a fantastic store and story. I'm lucky enough to only have to work in an office 1 day per week. The rest of my time is divided between looking after myself (very important!), looking after my family, creating new items, sourcing materials, listing items on etsy and looking for markets in Sydney to sell my items at. So I've nearly quit my day job ;-)

This was a great read- thank you for sharing, your store is just beautiful and I think you're a superwoman for successfully managing family life, full time work and your amazing craft (some of your soaps look EDIBLE! Mmmmm....) All the best, I hope business booms for you in 2010.

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

thanks for sharing your story! inspires me to work even harder.

Great article. Thank you for sharing and good luck to you.

Very good read, thanks for this!

Ahhh!! i LOVE this new twist on the series.. definitely truer to more of our daily realities.. balancing the hectic multiples roles of student, parent, full-time employee, coach? So great to have a supportive spouse and to have perfected your product. It all looks so amazing.. and your workspace looks so organized and colourful.. and it must smell so dreamy in there! haha.. congrats on the success and the great feature.. ;D

It's nice to see others working the dual life! I, too, have a very full-time day job. I work with great people, have steady income and most important- health insurance for me and my husband! I can't just quit, it's too good. Although part-time might be nice ;) I get my sewing done on the weekends and I'm fortunate that my husband is as passionate about his saxophone as I am about my fabrics! Practice time = sewing time. Way to go Christy- your soaps are gorgeous!!

I love all your products the bright colors are so awesome!!! Good Luck!!!!!!

I absolutely loved this shop before, but think it is even more awesome after reading this great feature. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!

I understand how hard it can be to sneak in some 'creativity' when working full time. I love hearing how other people do it, and I hope to see more articles like this one. Great article, great store!

An amazing article and a great shop! I 'm in the same boat. There is no way I can quit my day job no matter how much I want to. But my day job gives me the capital to keep my Etsy shop running as it should so I don't mind. Being a book keeper really helped with the finacial side of runing my shop as well. I love the Quit your day job articles, but it is so nice to see these as well. Thank you Etsy :)

Beautiful shop and very inspiring article. Thank you for sharing:)

Awesome to see an article about someone balancing a day job and a successful business! Props to everyone who manages both, it ain't easy.

I'm a full-time student in medical school, which means that my day doesn't end at 4:00 when classes let out. I go home, eat dinner, and get right back at the books. I love the career I've chosen for myself, but my jewelry provides me with much-needed break time. It would be nice to have a bustling business on Etsy, and I am IMMENSELY delighted whenver I make a sale, but I am destined to forever be a hobby crafter. It is frustrating, though, not to be able to devote more of my time and resources to promoting my jewelry and my shop. However, I'm glad to be part of the Etsy community!

Thanks for the article, Christy. You have so much energy, wow! Right now, I don't have a day job, because I am freelancing in IT, so I do have plenty of time to knit and run my business. However, as much I love creating accessories with yarns, I couldn't just knit all day - not only because it does't feed me - but for balance - there is the intellectual/writing/research/IT side of me that needs expressed, too. They kind of bounce off each other, and keep me energised. I thought I would be happy just doing one thing, but I realised, I need balance to really keep going. Don't know if other people feel the same, ie that creativity sometimes gets stimulated by either other creative or non-creative work?

KB your soaps look good enough to eat, and I salute your successful balancing act. I work a full-time job too, as well as devoting time to my art, but I can't even imagine throwing kids into the equation as well! In some ways I think having a full-time job actually helps with creativity, in that you make far better use of the precious little spare time you do have. It's very rare that I find myself wasting time watching TV, etc these days...Free time=painting time!

A great story and beautiful products. Inspiring, thanks for sharing.

Inspiring. Thank you. We're working hard to build our business and this was very inspiring!

Love, love, LLLLLLOOOOOOOve this article, "quit the day job" maybe good, living dual life might better!! Good lucks for everyone who have same situations, we grow stronger!!

Great story! Thanks so much :) It's truly inspiring as I'm in the same boat as you right now :)

as usual, it's another artisan that inspires me not to give up on the dream, to keep believing that i'll be able to leave the 9 - 5 and spend all of my time focusing on what matters to me most..thank you for sharing your story..we all need a positive push..this was a great one!

as usual, it's another artisan that inspires me to keep going..to not give up on the dream of leaving the 9 - 5 , and to believe that it's possible to focus on doing what makes me so happy. we all need a positive push,thanks for a great one.

Great post... Really inspiring to continue to move forward, even when time's are slow... Browse your shop all the time..

Awesome story! Congrats on growing. I balance a day job and building a business. It works for me right now since, as you said, I can work at my own pace and develop my business identity with my own money. Congrats again and beautiful shop!

Christy--really helpful post, and your colorful products are so funky! I work as a communications coordinator during the day and craft by night, in NYC. I'm moving at a much slower pace, but I'm determined to keep learning and working at my passion. I live with my husband in a one bedroom apartment in the city, so one thing I really struggle with is SPACE. Does anyone have this problem as well? It would be great to hear more about Etsy sellers struggling with keeping up shops while living in cities/small spaces.

Great article, KB! Your soaps are so beautiful!

purlsofcolour- I know what you mean about needing balance for the "technical" side of yourself! I feel the same thing working an office job. I like the data entry and paper work, even though most people would find it boring. And I can daydream about new designs while I work!

I worked full-time up until this past September 30th 2009 when I got laid off I had only 7 more year before I could retire and I had planned of course on doing that but that didn't happen I had always said once I retired I would do my business full-time. I didn't quit the job the job quite me so now since the oppurtunity has presented itself I'm now doing this full-time each and everyday and loving it. We are really trying to grow our business of course we would love more sales. I've always loved being at home and have always wanted a homebased business. Great article and interview.

Great article! I have shopped at KBShimmer before and love her bath bombs. How fun to see the artists behind my purchase.

I'm so happy to see an Indiana seller featured here. Congrats Christy! My husband is from Terre Haute and I'm from Indy (even though we are now in Seattle). Your products are gorgeous and your business sense seems right on track. Looking forward to seeing more from you. =)

Great story, beautiful soaps. Congratulations.

Quitting my day job would be a dream come true. Being a single mom, working a full time job, a part time job and running a small business is really hard work. Getting up at 5am and not being able to settle in until 11pm six days a week is quite grueling, but I love making jewelry, so I keep doing it until I can finally quit.

What an inspiring story - I wish you every success for the future. I'm in the process of moving to Scotland and left my part time joy at Christmas which enabled me to concentrate on my jewellery!!! My husband believes in me too and is so supporting. It is'nt easy being a one woman band - manufacturing, marketing, selling, stockchecking and blogging!! talk about a massive learning curve...I've just joined the etsy team and hoping for that first sale, but one thing I've learnt is keep believing in yourself and your products, in the UK we have a saying if at first you don't succeed, try, try again so true

What a great story. I love you husband saying: "you can make that!" Hello from an Illinois transplant! I quit my day job as a tv/movie costumer. I just visited a set yesterday to drop off an order. I was so happy to be able to leave and go back to our shop! I can't say I'm making movie money here on Etsy, but I love every day of it.

Great story! Thank you for sharing!

Your soaps are gorgeous! The colors are absolutely inspiring!

This is a great series. I'm sure all of us want to quit our day jobs but the reality is our day jobs support our creative pursuits. KB is a great shop to feature first for this sort of thing. It's nice to know many Etsy sellers are not alone with having to keep a 9 to 5, support a family, keep sane, and still run a business.

Inspiring and realistic story...I can relate. Beautiful shop!

Great store, and great photos (and shop, of course!)

smart choice! sage advice for many of us.

a great article! I love that you balance family, FT employment and ETSY. Very inspiring b/c quitting my day job is not an option at this time. More stories of Etsy sellers that balance both, please! :)

Thanks for posting this sort of story. I love my day job and don't want to quit. I just want to make both my day job and my Etsy shop part time. Splitting my week between the two would be just perfect.

I quit my job to jump head first into this soap and candle world. I opened a small kiosk in the mall at Christmas and I'm still going strong... It's a lot of hard work, 16-18 hour days but right now it is worth it. I love being able to be creative 24/7... Good luck to you!!! Congrats on your success

You're doing a great job- keep it up! You have delivered some sound advice to grow within your means and at a steady pace. The realism in your story is what is most inspiring. I will never be able to quit my day job either as I'm stay at home mom to a handful. Thanks to my supportive (and working!) husband I am able to do two jobs I love!! Cheers to all fellow etsians doing what they love.. even if while doing what they "have to"!

Wish my studio was as organized! You've inspired me. Thank you!

I don't have a choice - HAVE to work, cause my hubby has been laid off 5 times in the past 6 years! We have a big 'ol mortgage, 2 teenage boys, 8 animals (including 2 horses) and everybody has to eat! Now we're both working, plus my 2 etsy shops, and things are looking better. But it is my dream to quit my day job and do my "other job" full time. Love to read these articles!

I'm also lucky enough to have a super supportive husband who is always ready to help out when he can. I agree that sharing stories that most of us can relate to is a great idea.

I love seeing a series that focuses on people who run an Etsy business almost full time ON TOP of another job too. I teach full time, and so often get asked how I have time to run my jewelry business. I joke back..."I don't have kids yet!" I sometimes wonder if I would be more or less creative if the jewelry business was my only pursuit. What I do know though, is that sometimes while it can be like another full time job, the hours can fly by working at it. Congratulations to Christy on managing her time well (In your photos you look very organized by the way!) as well as to all sellers who manages to successfully juggle two things. It's inspiring to know there are others out there who can do it! :)

Christy, thank you for sharing! Very inspiring...and I think that so many will relate to you. Beautiful soaps!

ahhhh....reality. What beautiful soaps you make...you are so obviously committed to quality! Thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing a story that so many of us can identify with...working to pay the bills whilst whistfully dreaming of quitting our day jobs (say that fast 5 times!). With 2 jewlery shops, a supply shop and a bath and body shop coming soon, I too struggle to balance life as we know it. It's hard at times, but nothing beats being able to make the decisions to grow at a pace that is comfortable for your situation. Many kudos to you KBShimmer! Your shop is fabulous and an inspiration!

Congratulations fellow INCrowd member! You're doing such a fabulous job on finding such a healthy balance between home and two jobs. And I absolutely love your bath bombs!

Great story! By the way, I love the photos!

Thank you soooooooo much for such an inspiring story! I love that you don't have to quit your day joy to succeed! I can use all the help I can get!

I really appreciate reading your story. I'm not exactly in the same boat but I can understand why you do what you do. I wish you the best!!!

wow...what a great story...i love hearing how you balance you work, family and home business...way to go...

Christy, great to see some well-deserved publicity! Congrats :)

Awesome story, KB! And...in my eyes you will always be the Swirl Queen! You rock!

I LOVE this new take on the "Quit Your Day Job" series". For so many of us, quitting our "real" jobs simply is not an option for reasons such as security and health insurance or we may simply not WANT to quit our jobs because we either like them (me - a preschool teacher) and/or we prefer to keep our Etsy money in the "extra" category and not have to use it for bills. I hope Etsy keeps publishing more of these stories as I truly feel that they more accurately represent the struggles with balancing work, life and business that most of us face. =)

Thank you for sharing your story. your routine sounds so so so familiar. It is very good to hear that I'm not the only one out there pushing one day at a time at my dream too.

Congratulations to you and wishing you a lot of success in the future!

What gorgeous soap and such an inspiring story! I also work outside the home since it's a necessity for our family and luckily I have a job I love. Hopefully I'll be able to retire in a few more years and just play with clay.

I've been self-employed for several years now, but my Etsy shop is still only an additional income, although I need the money I make from it. Where I live is rural & job opportunities are scarce, so most folks make their own by setting up a business of some sort... mainly servicing the tourist industry. I love creating for Etsy, but I also really enjoy my "real" job, which is driving a taxi. I wouldn't want to do either without a break, but the two are so different from each other that each keeps me sane when the other threatens to drive me crazy! My better half drives for our taxi business, but he also has other means of creating an income... we feel more financially secure by not having all our eggs in one basket. None of the things we do would pay the bills on its own, but the combination not only keeps food on the table but also gives us variety. We'll probably never get rich, but we're definitely happy which is MUCH more important!

Doing the same here, so this was such an inspiring story, thank you for sharing and having such fantastic pictures!

Your soaps are beautiful! I love seeing all the colors stacked up. High five!

Congrats on your success and wishing you all the best!!!! Cheers Bonnie GwenDELICIOUS

I literally just quit my day job and need to move across the country soon. I hope to one day make this my day job and plan on putting in full time once I get to where I'm going while I look for a job. Thanks for this story, it's inspiring!

Congratulations!! When we moved to Florida there were no jobs in my field but I had to do something to add to the family income. A friend suggested Etsy and 2 years later this is my full time job!

This was an amazing feature, so realistic and reflective of the hard work, determination, team work and balance needed for most of us to do this. I really admire your commitment and your sanity!

Great story! I balance a day job, full time school, and 2 Etsy shops...but my shops are far from as busy as Christy's! I admire her for being so dedicated.

great story! thanks

Great story! I balance a day job, full time school, and 2 Etsy shops...but my shops are far from as busy as Christy's! I admire her for being so dedicated.

Christy, I am so very proud of you and all that you and Jason have accomplished. Your passion and creative ability shows in the quality and appearence of all your products.

What a wonderful and inspiring story. The soaps are gorgeous.

I love the story, Christy-- You deserve success-- I know how hard you have worked!

Congratulations on successfully managing a full-time career and an amazing Etsy shop, not to mention being a mother and wife! Your soaps always look good enough to eat. :-)

This is such a great true-life story. Thank you so much for posting this, and congrats to Christy for putting into words what many of us are going through right now. My full-time job is as an administrative assistant for a busy sales office. A lot more often than not, I am a "human blackberry" for my boss, who is frequently on the road, calling in via his hands-free cell phone to have my coworker and I read his emails to him as he drives to his next sales destination, and type back his replies via dictation. In between all of this, there's always customers calling in, and they take priority over the boss. One of the "perks" to my job is the location of the post-office - right across the street from my job. So shipping out Etsy orders via face-to-face service is definitely a highlight of my average workday. When I'm not at work, my "free time" is split between spending time with my husband and family, running my Etsy business, and volunteer artistry for a renaissance recreation group and participation in that group. It's a juggling act that doesn't always have a common pattern, aside from my family coming first. There's always time to work on my Etsy shop, prepare business taxes, and plan for upcoming shows. Production time is squeezed in when I am not working on my calligraphy and illumination pieces. I couldn't tell you outright that there's one true method to budgeting time for everything. For me, there's an instinctual pattern. My artwork for the renaissance group has deadlines, and I check my Etsy shop probably a bajillion times a night when I am within range of the computer room (sort of like a really strong magnet, it's often hard to pull myself *away* from my shop). Else, I am still seeking the secret to keeping my desk clean during all of this. Clutter is part of my production process, and housework is best done on weekends or immediately after work - but otherwise, the jewelry clutter helps remind me of the things I still need to do, and the joy I find in creating beautiful things to wear. A clean desk just doesn't happen all that often as a result.

Congratulations! This blog is a nice change of pace.

Great story and wonderful products. Well done and good luck.

fantastic article and congrats! I'm jealous of your organizational skills!!!

I think that I enjoy having multiple jobs and multiple things to juggle at this point in my life. However, I really really really like that I can work from home on my business. And, I'm learning so much from it, it's like a new kind of self-education. I think it is important to note those supportive partners in your life. They can really make or break the business. If it weren't for the support of my mom, who sometimes helps me garner supplies, and my fiance who helps with things now and then, I couldn't do it. But I am jealous of your cooking husband, Christy!

This is a great story! I too dream of quitting my day job! Dreaming of that is what keeps me going! I love the flexibility of selling on Etsy, and the connected community that always offers inspiration! Thanks again for the story.

deborahjean28 Christy, I am so very proud of you and all that you and Jason have accomplished. Your passion and creative ability shows in the quality and appearence of all your products. ___________ Thanks Mom (((Hugs)))

great story, wonderful products. Im with you, some day, some day. Hang in there

Thank you for the inspiring story. I love the colors in your products.

I really like reading an article like this which is the experience many Etsy sellers (myself included} live daily. Working at an outside job, AND striving to run a business, and a home during the rest of our waking hours. It is a challenge and mostly fun. Thanks for the post.

This story really hits home with me. Working full-time, being a mom to three little monkeys, a dedicated wife, and with all that life entails, I also struggle to find enough time to put into my shop, and to work towards my dream of fully becoming my own boss one day. I am very lucky to be married to such a wonderful guy who supports me 100% (not to mention, who is willing to emboss my envelopes, round the corners on my cards, etc., so I can focus what little time I have on packing up order, or creating new illustrations). I love hearing the success stories, and I hope that one day I can become one of those too, but I especially enjoyed this post because it is so realistic. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

This story really hits home with me. With working full-time, raising three monkeys as well as being a loving wife, and with all of the other stuff life entails, I fully understand how difficult it can be to find enough extra time to put into your shop. I too dream for the day when I can quit my day job, but right now it just isn't possible. I love reading the success stories, but I really appreciated this one because it is so realistic. Thank you so much for sharing! I wish you the best of luck!

This story really hits home with me. With working full-time, raising three monkeys as well as being a loving wife, and with all of the other stuff life entails, I fully understand how difficult it can be to find enough extra time to put into your shop. I too dream for the day when I can quit my day job, but right now it just isn't possible. I love reading the success stories, but I really appreciated this one because it is so realistic. Thank you so much for sharing! I wish you the best of luck!

sorry, I really didn't mean to post that three times. something is wrong

Love your shop.

Great story!! Congratulations on your determination, creativity and hard work.

Where there's a will there's a way! That's what my Mom always said. You do have the will,Christy,Congrats!

I loved reading this post! I'm in school full time and just started my Etsy shop to help out some. I'd really love it if I was successful enough to do this full-time after I graduate! But for now it's nice to see others who are working overtime!

Thank you for your great story. I am a handicap but my life is total independent. I also hope to quit my day job and have free time to run my craft projects, because I love it as my life. Enjoying life and creating craft are my life. "Live to create, create to live"

The information is great. My day job takes time away from my Esty shop and makes it seem like forever to get items photographed and posted, everything is one of a kind because it is all vintage or reproduced vintage with the exception of some jewelry. But my day job allows me to buy more vintage, which I now have a good stock of that needs to be photo... and posted. Then there is the creative side, sewing, crafting... As for space that SEVGI was referring to in an above post, my space is tiny, but most times my sofa is free to sit on. When my youngest son moves out this summer, I get his room and can spread all my lovely things out and create. I probably have thousand of vintage patterns and 12 huge tubs of vintage fabric, I raised six children and did a lot of sewing. Somewhere on Etsy is a forum that Etsy sellers post pictures of their studios or work spaces, somehow I got access to it on my flickr. I love seeing others work spaces, it is very inspiring, Thanks Christy Rose!

An inspiration! Thanks for sharing your story.

how inspiring! and i love the colors of the soaps, especially the swirly ones.

Hi Congrats! Great story. I wish you the best! Very positive!

Thank you for letting us have a peek into your life. I am sure there are days when you feel overwhelmed by all the things you have going on, both with work and family. It is so good to hear you have an encouraging husband - what a blessing! Keep up the great work!

Thanks Christy, for sharing your very relevant story, and thanks to Etsy for presenting a different (and I'll wager, more common) story than the "quit your day job" scenario. It is a lot of hard work, but when it's your passion, you find a way. For me, the major turning point has been better time management and discipline. I'm almost always motivated and inspired to create, but in order to grow my vision, I had to start becoming more organized and calculating to make it work around the "day" job I can't yet afford to leave. I, like many who've already commmented here dream of just working for myself, and supporting myself on my creative income alone. Having been here for over a year now, I'm learning things about myself and my work and what people may get out of it that are helping me get better and get closer to my dream. Not meaning to sound like an Esty spokeswoman, but I've developed and grown as a businesswoman since I started here, and that trickles over onto the other venues where I offer my work. Here's to the great pursuit!

Wow, I have purchased your wonderful products so it was great to have a face and an inspiring story to put with your shop name! I loved it!

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing

WOW WOW WOW thanks so much for an inspirational read! Looking at people like you making it is what I find insprirational. It so nice to put a face behind the name! You go girl!

We started almost the same - my bf had a day job, and I was a freelancer, We used our earned money to finance our business and experiments. After about 2 yrs, we finally decide to quit our day job. Though it's still a long way until we can pay ourselves 'decently' but we are lucky that we don't have too many bills waiting to be paid. :) Thank you for sharing, and best of luck to everyone! :)

Gosh, you work hard! Fantastic work and you obviously have a lot of love for what you do. I shall be keepng my fingers crossed that one day you can do it full time - and maybe have a few days off? :)

Fantastic! This is what I think I have been needing to hear. Stop killing myself, forgoing sleep, obsessing on my shop. It'll happen-if I keep letting it happen. And I have a job I love until then. Thanks, great post!

An inspiring story - you work long hours Christy! Lovely products. :)

This is a great story. I am new to ETSY and until I make my first sale, I don't think I could think of quiting my day job. It is wonderful that you and your husband have the same goals and have the opportunity of working together. Your product and your shop are beautiful.

I think its wonderful that you can fit everything in :-) Congrats on your wonderful shop. Being a mom of 3 and beading keeps me so busy, I couldn't imagine having a day job :-)

Oh I so much relate to this story!I work full time, I am up at 5 am as I live 1 hour and a bit drive from the office.My days are long and demanding, my art is my secret garden where I can let go and express myself. I suspect that,if I was to do it full time as a job, with all the pressure that comes with uncertainity, it wouldn't be so enjoyable anymore. I will quit my daily job when I win lotto, so I will dedicate myself to my art without worrying about not having enough sales to pay those bills for.... I know, I am very optimistic!

Thanks for sharing, you basically work 24/7.....you have to love what you do! And it helps so much to have a partner share the work load, your husband is fab! Much success to you and that you'll make your dream come true.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Sounds super busy...yet very rewarding. Your soaps are beautiful! I am not sure I could bring myself to "mess" them up by using them!

Great story, and a fantastic shop!

It's great to see a local girl doing well....

What a refreshing story! I think a lot of people face the predicament of giving up a steady income and have to make the choice to keep their day job. Sometimes it is simply the smartest business move to make!

I hope more articles like this are on the way. I work part-time at a job I really don't like anymore. I'm starting to train myself to think of my art as my "day job" and my part-time desk job as just a means of support, although not much support! It's nice to see how Christy balances her time because that's the part I'm struggling with right now.

What a great story! How wonderful to have such support and help at home! I love that she is building her business without any loans or investors. I wish Christy all the best of luck :)

As a budding craftsman on Etsy, (I got set up this morning!)this was a great timed article for me. I applaud the efforts of all craftsmen and craftswomen. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to share with others. The stress of the daily grind is unbearable at times and making jewelry relieves the stress. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful community!

Way to go Christy!!!!! And if you haven't yet tried her "single serving" sugar scrubs, they are most awesome and adorable to boot! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36199575

Thank you, I enjoyed the article. It's always inspiring to see how others are managing their lives with their business. I'm not struggling to give up my day job, I wish. I had to give it up. It was a sad and horribly difficult decision. I loved my job and coworkers. Fibromyalgia and major flare-ups took over my life for awhile so I couldn't work. PickleBerries is the business that I created for myself from that experience. I've reclaimed my creativity with glass and it allows me to work around good days and bad days.

Thank you so much for very inspiring article. I learned fromyour scheduling tips. I tried doing my biz during weekends, vacation leaves etc, but I lose my creative momentum. And the result empty shop, inconsistent marketing etc. So, I decided to work part time try to work on my schedule. We are struggling financially, but it is worth the sacrifice. I believe, this is just temporary phase and a worthy investment of time and money. I wish I have your energy!!!

What a fun read! That's just awesome you're able to balance both jobs and have time for your family. It helps soooo much to have a support system too. Congrats to you! :)

Awesome story and very inspirational! Your soaps are so pretty and colorful!

inspiring story, thanks for sharing

Thank you, Christy, for sharing your story. It was very inspirational and has made me think about some changes that I need to make. May continued success be yours!

I am really in the same boat at this time. I want to quit my day job but at this time I need it to grow my business. It is slowly getting busy and of course the more I sell the more I need. It is not self supporting yet but I see it coming. I have been approuched by investors but haven't delved into it. A little scary with it being family. I now know who else is up with me at midnight listing and working. Great job and great story. The best to you!!!

I have really enjoyed reading this realistic story of hardworking people trying to make a living. Thank you, Christy, for sharing.

GREAT STORY!

Lovely story, I too am keeping my day job!

Great story! It gave me the shot of inspiration I needed today! :)

This is a really inspiring story. I consider my Esty shop has a hobby, but I'm going to finish my classes soon, my husband found a job and my litter daughter is going to school soon, so I am going to have plenty of time to make it my "full time" day job. Like KBshimmer said " this is my passion".

WTG Christy!! proving it can be done, sometimes we just have to work much harder at it. And the fact that she doesnt let her quality slip despite how hard she works at TWO jobs, is a testament to her skill as a soaper.

Great story and wonderful inspiration, thanks Etsy and KBshimmer.

glad it's worked out for Christy! finding your groove is so important and going at your own pace is the only sensible option. I have been trying to 'get a day job' for the past two years!!! with no success! (yet) so my etsy shop has been paying for my bills, (when it can).

Great story, I would love to quit my day job too but must balance both.

This was a lovely story, your products are brilliant and I can really tell that you just love what you're doing, I think that's the best part of having a business on the side that is solely your own. It feels like play time even though you're really working.

Right on! I really identify with your story and appreciate you sharing it!

I love your story. Congratulations on such success.

I found this story inspiring. I am trying to build up a business for supplimentary income to my day job as a waitress in an arts /crafts cafe in Northumberland Uk, but mainly because I love sewing and crafting. It's good to know that others can managage this and that it seems to add to the general quality of life.

Great story. Your soaps are beautiful! Congratulations.

What an amazing story! Congrats!

great story!I like your soaps

great story!!What an inspiration!

I love your soaps. They are as beautiful as your story

Yet another series I am really interested in! I have the same situation. My husband is currently working to build his biz, so I am the one with the stable job. Right now, quitting my "real job" is not an option. My biz has started taking off, so I choose to continue my super hectic schedule of working 40 - 45 hrs a week at my "real job" and then to come home and work 30 or more hours a week on Purple Lemon. I would love to know more about people out there like me and how they do it all. Thanks so much for this inspiring story!

What a lucky lady. It's gotta be great to have a supportive partner, wish I had one. You Go, Girl!

Enjoyed reading your success story combining a day job, family and etsy. Love your soaps too. Wish you continued success.

I was struck by the love and support you have as well as your acknowledgment of the importance of this in your busy life juggling everything. Hold on to your dreams and the day will come when the dreams will become your reality.

I must say I enjoyed the dual life quite a lot, though I wish I have more time to create my Wired Chinese Knot jewelry. Orders been flowing in since the day I went on press then TV, but I know deep down inside - if I put myself in that boat whereby creating jewelry IS my ONLY thing in life, I won't be able to see things and feel things the way I am seeing and feeling right now - which, contributes a lot in inspiring me to create. I have imagine myself sitting and creating day and night, but I'd rather visualize myself being out and about and create as and when I have great idea. :D Happy creating peeps, and HAPPY EASTER! Corra from de Cor's

Great story...I really appreciate the "real" people out there who work hard, reap the benefits and don't complain!!

This is so exciting. What a GR8 Business ! Love your operation: Studio and most of all your joy in Creating your beautiful bath and body product line. Continued success to you and yours.

Wonderful article and congrats! I like seeing not everyone who has a day job has to quit their crafting job. Lovely shop, just might have to splurge on some nice soap. :)

Great to hear a story that's close to my reality. Congratulations for managing to make a success of everything, it must be incredibly hard work!! Like many of us on Etsy, I'm struggling to break even with my art. It would be fantastic to start seeing some success like you've achieved. Thanks for telling your story :-)

wow so many stories of working double time and reasons for quitting/not quitting day jobs! i love reading them all and thank you all for sharing your realities. christie has really found her groove and that is so very inspiring. we all have a lot on our plates and need to hear these working overtime stories too! i have a summertime job in a field that i LOVE and a huge family (8 kids) that keep my husband and i busy all year long. i'm feeling that a few more rounds of tweaking and i might just get my groove too. fingers crossed!

Great real story, thank you for sharing.

Great post! I love the photos of the soap being made.

Thanks for making an article about a seller who has to juggle the day job with their dream job. I'm in the same boat, navigating the same choppy yet fun waters. My day job is what is feeding the whole family and keeping a roof over our heads right now, as well as helping to pay down the debts incurred when I relocated at my company's request a couple years ago. Etsy sales are what helps pay the bills and I'm so thankful! Sometimes I daydream of having more time to make things for the shop (instead of squeezing it in on my lunch hour or for a couple hours at night after dinner) and that's why I'm grateful for the mom and sister that make things and really keep the shop stocked with new listings. I love all the support from my family but couldn't live without the day job. Thanks for the boost, KB - it's nice to know there are so many out there balancing in their own boats.

I can definitely relate - full-time job, 2 kids, 3 dogs, housework, long commute... it can be exhausting, but its not the right time to quit yet. Soon...

Wonderful that your husband is so supportive in your endeavors KBShimmer! That makes all the difference! Best of luck to you both - and your soap is lovely!

Awesome story, Christy! Congrats!

I love reading about people who can do it all! Congratulations to you and your husband for being able to balance life and a growing business. I was sort of forced into my little jewelry business when my parents passed away. I had taken time off to take care of my Dad who had terminal cancer. Then my Mom passed away just 2 months after that. Sad, but they both gave me the push and inspiration to carry on, so here I am trying to make a go of it. Life is good and I'm so happy to be involved in such a wonderful community like ETSY and have the opportunity to hear about success stories. Congrats again and best of luck to you!

Congrats Christy!

I love your marbled soaps -- they are beautiful! Congrats on finding the balance. I'm still working on it! :)

This is an inspiring story. As I start my own etsy business, I wonder if I can do it all. Thank you for giving me the courage to keep going!

Wow! You make beautiful soap...I know it because I purchased some cool soap from you...long-lasting and great smelling! I am so happy to see you featured here! Well done.

I think this is what Etsy is all about. Beautiful people creating awesome things and supporting the world-wide community of artists. Pat on the back Christy! Hard work pays dividends, and you're now on my favourites too. Such colourful soaps, they're wonderful!

Another great article! Christy, you warm my heart- I, like many others , am a Job Juggler, too. I was able to drop to 4 days at the "day" job, by penny pinching a bit. This has helped a bit. The dilemma always is: need money (from the "day" job) to pay the bills and need time to create in order to grow the business. Did I say I need sleep, time for family, etc, etc?? Thanks, Etsy for the spin on "Quit your Day Job"

I work full time, too, while starting my etsy shop...I like the total control to go at my own pace and not have to take out a loan. Slowly, but surely...I'm hoping. The energy levels for me are an issue during the work week. I guess you just do what you can. Very pretty soaps!

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. My Youngest daughter is Autistic so someone has to be home in case the school calls for problems. Both my daughters are in school full time so Mon-Fri I have time to take the kids to school, do housework, work a bit, pick the kids from school and make dinner etc...etc. Saturday Mornings I work while kids and hubby:) watch cartoons and the afternoons is family time, unless they are with nana. Sunday morning kids in Sunday School so time to work. It is very busy and I don't think I could even dream about putting a even a part time job on top of that and I commend you all who have a day job and do your business at home.

I am a soap-aholique. Love this article.

Very inspiring. I also work full time ten hour days as a nurse and am putting my husband and daughter through college. Not willing to go into debt, I just spend every spare penny on supplies and every spare minute designing pieces. But it's what I love. Your soaps are so beautiful, with your talent and drive you deserve success.

I am so happy to see that it's not all about quitting your day job. sometimes I feel mislead by the grandeur that others have been able to procure in quitting there day jobs.

So inspiring! I too think about the day when I can quit my day job and sell on Etsy full time, to do what I really love and what makes me happy. My Fiance is also my biggest supporter, he is a singer songwriter so as a fellow artist he knows how hard it can be to even get seen with so many other people trying to do what you are doing. Keep up the amazing work, LOVE your shop!

Beautiful write up and congratulations on your success. It takes dedication and motivation, but there is no such thing as an impossible dream. I feel the same about taking out a loan...so my business grows slowly, since I don't buy what I don't have cash for. But, I know in time, I too can quit my day job. I love Etsy. So many great opportunities and so many great stories.

Thanks so much for the inspiration. I used to sit in my cubical at work and daydream about being home and crafting and having a successful business on etsy. Then, last September came, and I lost my job-when I was 3 months pregnant. I went to etsy every day, and made some purchases, but just never got around to getting started. Our son is now here, and with my husband's support (he sounds a lot like yours), I have slowly begun crafting again. I just officially began selling items this week, and I don’t have any sales yet. Right now, I am in the process of developing a marketing strategy and building an inventory. Of course, money is TIGHT, so I am not able to purchase supplies, like I’d like, for all those visions dancing in my head. Best of luck to you, and I will definitely be visiting your shop!

WOW! so much Energy! Very inspiring! Great picturs!

What a great post! Lovely to read of someone achieving creative satisfaction while juggling everything else in life - well done :)

I loved reading your story because it probably is more the reality for most sellers on Etsy - though I do read the "quit your day job" ones just so I can continue to dream. I'd love to quit but, like you, it is what affords me to be able to buy supplies to create without having to take out a loan. I struggle daily with time constraints as my job is not 9 to 5, but I'm working whenever there is an assignment and/or whenever I can find front page photographs. But I have dreams and someday it will all work out. Wonderful to "meet" you and I wish you luck in all you do :)

Wonderful real-life story which inspires of all at this dual stage of working both as artists here on Etsy and elsewhere! Etsy has been life-changing for me and your story really hit home along with so many other Estian's comments here. Keep it going and love what you do!

Great story......you are lucky to have such a supportive husband. Mine is not artsy at all, hates craft shows etc. I did have a window treatment business at one time though. I am still determined to make my etsy shop work and knowing that it is possible keeps alot of us working toward the prize. Thanks!

Great article. So true to life..well for most of us. Thanks!

Wonderful, inspiring, interesting, and more! Loved reading about you and your shop. Your soaps are gorgeous, your family a great example of love and support. Congratulations on this feature article, and may you have tons of success in the future!

Beautiful shop and an inspiring story! My crafting empowers my disabled body to reach new heights---and I too have a very supportive husband! Your soaps and blend of accessories are really amazing and enticing. I appreciated your comment about "falling in love" with the craft---and your passion shows! Wishing you every blessing on your continued success and many blessings to your family!

Your shop is well merchandised, inspiring, and very enticing! Product is beautiful with much candy for all the senses for everyone! "Falling in love" with your art is important and it shows! Being disabled, my craft often inspires me to reach new heights and achieve more than I thought I could. Of course, I am blessed as are you with a supportive husband. That is a gift! Many blessings to you and your family on your continued success! Your shop and your story are wonderful!

My Day Job was already based at home. After a lay-off about 4.5 yrs ago I opened a boarding environment for rescued greyhounds. Wanting a bit more to fill my days that first slow year, I opened Greyt Escape( Accessories) here on Etsy. Because I've always been creative, I expanded with Chella Bella Designs also here on Etsy. Both donate to Greyhound Rescue. My days are never the "same." Some are full of clients coming in & out, some are creative days. I squeeze in a show here & there and every day is full of housekeeping! LOL But, with all the work, I still love it! Your product is quite eye catching....looks almost good enough to eat! These stories of balancing more than one job are reality to more people than not and very motivational to read! Thanks!

That's great how you have such a supportive hubby-it seems rare from what I've heard! Aw I would love to make candles and soap too but it seems like everyone has a soap and/or candle company on etsy!

KB - such positive spirit and lovely thoughts to follow thank you for this insight! For me, crafting sharing upcycled wonders and saving the earth a little at time as well as restoring sanity is a very good place to be! Being a new Etsy seller lets me have some craft time and focus creative juices to save myself from the "numbing" of corporate life. I wish you much success!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I find it truly inspiring to see someone who works a day job, but does the crafting by night. I find this more relatable than trying to quit my day job, which is a student, so impossible. But anyway, thank you so much for the story and I hope there are many more to follow!

Wow, wonderful article/story and an inspiration to all of us who cannot quit their day jobs. In truth, I love my job. I am an archaeologist so I spend most of my days hiking and digging holes in many beautiful places across the American West. My partner, Avery, is a wildlife biologist and also works in the wild places of the West. These places inspire us and are where many of our pictures are taken. Cheers for keeping your day job!

Love the story and the reality of having to keep a day job.

Wonderful story! I'm glad everything fell together for you the way that you wanted. It's so important to have a supportive home base and helpful partners. Balancing a job (an easy part time one at the University library, but I digress), a full college load and big crafting business dreams takes a lot of energy. When big assignments come around, all I want to do is craft. I'm running on reserve energy all the time, but the feeling I get when one of my cross stitching projects is completed and framed is unlike anything else. It's that feeling I continue to chase after and utilize. I hope you all have time to tap into that reservoir and do what you love; it makes my life worthwhile.

great story, thank you

Great story.

I like your story, thank you for sharing. I work 2 other day jobs and find the security of those wages paying the bills. Its also like an insurance that if you are off ill you still get paid. Working for your art and passion still needs to pay the bills and can take time to bear fruit- until then be wise everyone, keep the day job!

I like this story. Initially when starting my business I was foolish enough to quite a well paid job because I hated it... I now work part time to pay my bills and any money from Etsy sales goes straight back into my Etsy business. The dual life can be difficult at times, especially because I don't have set days at work. But it is just even more rewarding to be selling... I feel as though the hard work is worth it. I love KBShimmer soaps! I wish I could make soap, but alas, I am rubbish! Well done to KBShimmer and thanks for sharing your story!

Ah finally, a counter-story to the Quit Your Say Jobs series. I work a full-time job next to the Etsy shop too and enjoy doing both.

Having an Etsy shop is a great way to supplement retirement income too. I took early retirement to pursue developing a home based business involving crafts. Inside me there was an artist crafts person wanting to create. Having an outlet to sell these creations is wonderful as it give me an excuse to make more things. We hunt rocks and have polished drum after drum of beautiful agates, chelcedony, jasper, and petrified wood. My Etsy shop gives us an outlet for selling these too.

Very enlightening, Encouraging, We just started rearranging sparse space so our home accomodates our neverending hobbies, ~ He digs fast cars, automotive antiques, Myself sc-fi art, Nautical clocks which I have purchased through Etsy, theater costumes, some of my small collections which unfortunately due to tuition needs had to be sold, pinup art, books of all kinds, This article does teach the optimism of persistance with family blessings, cheerfulness, resourcefullness ~ Thankyou

Great article! You have a beautiful shop and your soaps are gorgeous too!

Wonderful article about a wonderful person. Her soaps and bath bombs are a work of art. Christy is truly an inspiration who graciously shares her techniques with others both on Etsy and on the soapers forum. Thanks KBSHIMMER!

I love homemade soaps...Wonderful article and Shop.

Great story, congrats! I wish I could quit my day job too, but I can't afford it for now. I work 6 days a week and it is quite difficult for me to balance work 1 and work 2. But your article gave me optimism and if I want to everything possible. Thanks for sharing and good luck!!!

I find myself just amazed with the beauty in her soaps. I think she should sell art prints of the soaps as they are so colorful. Great job!

Great article! Between my day job in a business I already own, my Etsy store, being active in the art world, gardening, taking care of a home, and pets--my time is very full. It is an exhilarating thought that I could support myself solely with Etsy income and work from home. Fortunately, my day job is still thriving in this economy for now and I can supplement my income a bit while indulging my passion for beading and collecting baubles. Congrats to all who are making Etsy their primary source of income--you are courageous in imagining that your world can be different!

Very inspiring and relevant story! Love it. I'm so glad that Etsy started to take notice of people who are having both a day job but also selling online, because there are many of us out there who are "double-hatting". I'm not sure I consider myself "struggling", but I think I am thankful that the day job provides the income to fund my business from the start. I'm very happy to say that after 1 year of hard work, I am already mostly funding my business out from my own profits made from my business, and do not really dip into my savings. I do habour thoughts that someday, I may be able to quit my day job and just craft full time. But right now, it is still quite a long way to go for me. Please continue with these series to find more of such inspiring people who can share with us tips on how they make it work!

What a fantastic and inspiring article! Congratulations Christy!

I quit my day job SORT of...I have been layed-off 5 times in the first have of my "career" outside the house life. The last time I just decided to make a go of it. I have 3 lives: mother of 3 (wife too), web based mail order business (minidolls.com) and My jewelry that I sell mostly on Etsy. It is not easy being self employed. I work out of the house and get lonely(even with the chaos around me) and sometimes do not leave he house for days. but could I go work for someone. NO!

Christy - gorgeous soaps and great article!! Thanks for the inspiration - I am slowly learning the balancing act between building my own business and working full-time in the corporate world... Congratulations and continued success to you!

It's very refreshing to read about someone who works and does art at the same time! Keep up the great work!

Thanks so much for your great story! I can reallllly relate. BTW I Love Love Love your Beautiful soap!

What a great article.... I can totally relate. I am not struggling.... not in the financial way as others may be in this enconomy. My struggle comes from within - I am too scared to make that jump - I think, "Will I be profitiable?, my sales aren't there yet, I need my steady paycheck." Left brain - right brain - so to speak - they just don't get along. I am sometimes at my job thinking of designs, and find myself trying to stay focused on what it is I "do for a living" - insurance I work for a fortune 500 company, and found the job there after college, thnking it is a good job, good pay, good deal, right. Well, I live for working on my small business, my passion, my Etsy shop I dream of quitting my day job to become fulfilled in a career - a life - I feel destined to do. Sometimes its pain to wish I was home beading, running my own business errands, etc. and maybe one day, I will get there, or possibly work part-time in the corporate world.... then, I can have more time with my jewelry business. I too, have a very supportive husband, and feel lucky with all that we have - sometimes selfish for wanting more, much more of this "creative" life. I'd love to read more in a series like this.... it is inspiring, and somehow some way might keep the rest of us, who can't quit our day job (whatever reasons they may be) to keep on trucking.

Excellent story. I've been lucky to have a husband who is very supportive of my ambitions outside my day job (ambitions that are focused on writing right now). He too has been working full-time while running a fine art photography business, but he just found out that he is being laid off at the end of June, so he will be quitting his day job, like it or not. He's always made enough money from photography to buy his equipment, but now he's trying to do more than that. He recently opened his own Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenBay) to find new customers. I will remain at my day job and look forward to helping him grow his photography business.

This is very inspiring.... it is soo refreshing to know someone else out there, has the same struggles as you. I love it. I dream of quitting my day job, so I can become a full-time Etsian, and jewelry artist... but in this economy, and the fear of leaving my steady paycheck, keeps me stuck in the middle. I am thankful that I have a supporting husband who understands this, and realizes I have this dream - we've even talked of part time for me, so that I can have more time with my small business and make it grow. Right now, I am thankful, that I have a job, because I feel like its the investor of my business. It helps me pay for supplies, etc, because it isn't quite so self supporting on its own. I dream it will be, and I am passionate about it becoming one day a full time gig for me... I love my creativity and freedom I have with it, and only want more. If I could quit my day job, and work more more hours with slightly less pay than what I make now doing my jewelry business, I would.... and I wouldn't even think twice about it! Great article!

KB< thank you for sharing such an inspiring story. By the way, congratulations on such beautiful products.

Very inspiring story, your soaps are beautiful and I particularly find your color-coded container fascinating! I'm always interested to look at artists' workstations :) I would like to read more 'don't quit your day job' stories too. Because let's face the truth, some people can't afford to lose their day job, there are a lot of bills to pay!

What a refreshing and inspiring article! Although many Etsians may dream of quitting day jobs, I think many more of us can relate to a story like this...I know I certainly can! I really do enjoy my day job as a floral designer, and I'm not sure I'd ever want to give it up entirely. I was working part-time, which I loved, as it gave me time to be at home with my daughter and focus on my Etsy shop (and other endeavors), but also a chance to get out of the house and use my creativity in another setting. I've recently had to return to work full-time, not by choice but by necessity, and it has been incredibly challenging to balance all that I do. (In addition to being a Mom of a toddler, my day job, and my Etsy shop, I'm also the EtsyKids Team Leader and an editor for Modern Handmade Child magazine). All I can say is thank goodness for my supportive husband! :) I'm hoping to get to point where I can once again drop down to part-time, but until that day, I've got to do what I've got to do. Thank you KB for sharing your story with us. And thanks to all of you who have shared your dual lives in the comments! Having a support network is crucial, and it's nice to know that we're not alone in our crazy balancing acts. :)

I am also dreaming!!! I run my own bead store but it's over 54 hours or work in a week!! plus with two little girls, I would love to close and just create while they are at school, I though that maybe owning a bead store would help me be more creative, with all the choices I have at hand, but it only leaves me drained, I see beads all day, I give out ideas to customers and help them grow there jewelry business with ideas and workshops, but when I sit to create I am just out of ideas, I don't want to create something I help some else with! So I am in a place with a difficult decision! I am in a mission to be debt free, so I can be a SAHM and a full time jewelry designer, with no bills to pay!!! Good Luck to you all dreamers, and just remember everything is possible if you BELIEVE!!

Very true for most of us and although I have along way to go on etsy it makes me happy that there are others in the same boat!

Thank you so much for the helpful advice and inspirational story. It's nice to see that we are not alone in "the dream".

What a refreshing story! Thankyou for sharing it! I am also in the situation where I work full time and balance home and my business on top of that. It works at the moment but I would like to cut my hours in order to fit in more of the home and business. Thanks once again for sharing your story Christy!!

Well done Christy, sounds like you're very organised and have some great support, keep up the good work!

It is a bit the same here. I work 50 %, I have four children under the age of 8, one is autistic. I have three cats, a dog that needs to be walked and of course all the usual household chores. I work in my free time, and evenings. The days I don't work I try to fit in a couple of hours to work on my websites and ETSY. It has not payed off beautifuly yet, but I am optimistic. the first year I had to invest in a lot of supplies, but this year has been so far more lucrative....

Enjoyed your article. The article points out that we do need funds to grow our Etsy business. Your soaps are beautiful.

Great story.. thank you so much sharing it!! Jessica Lynn JLMould.etsy.com

I loved reading about the support you receive from your husband. Sometimes it takes seeing that story from the outside to realize how lucky I am to have the same kind of support - I don't know what I'd do with out my husband's constant help. He does everything from building fixtures to manning my booth at markets to picking out fabrics - he has a great eye! Your stuff is beautiful; I hope you continue to grow!

Thank you for this article! I would love to practice my craft(s) full-time, but I'm both intimidated by the world of self-employment and also dedicated to my library career. Someday when I'm finished grad school, perhaps I can follow these sellers' example!

Thank you so much for sharing! I can relate to so many points you bring up. I started this shop 2008 as my creative outlet. I needed something that was just mine. Something that I was in complete control of. By keeping my full time job as a graphic designer I have been able to buy supplies, tools etc. Things I would never have been able to afford if jewelry was my only income. I am not gonna lie and say that it's always easy. I do miss having time off and there are days when you don't want to go in the studio after already working a full 8 hours. But I do it cause I know at some point I will be able to quit my day job. That dream keeps me going.

Thanks so much for this article! I LOVE my day job and I'm more encouraged by sellers who have to battle the everyday grind and their stores. Keep it up!

I think I love the 'Working Overtime' stories even more than Quit Your Day Job, Thanks SO much Etsy!

Christy, I wish you lots of success and that KBShimmer continues to grow. I admire those of you that do Etsy while still taking care of family and working a day job!

I too am living a dual life and loving it! Kudos' to those working full time and holding down an etsy shop "Doing what they love" and "Not what they have to do" just to bring in an income. Much love and respect!

I really enjoyed this article with the perspective of balancing life with work, creativity and family life. Keep up the good work! Congrats.

WOW what a very cool story, we all hope that one day we could have are own business...

LOVE all the colors! We would love to eventually quit our jobs as well. My hubby is an escrow analyst and I'm about to graduate with my MSW. We would love to just leave it all and craft some days!

Working a full time job and a business like this has got to be hectic. I am glad you were able to strike a balance. Your picture really tells the story. You are very organized with your supplies and that just makes it easier to do the work. I'm sure being that organized with your material, you are equally organized with your time. I for one couldn't manage both the 60 hour full time job and running this family business. As of today, I am full time for the craft business and goodbye corporate world. Your balance is inspirational, I wish I had your personal management skills, Matt

Wow....You go girl.... Great Job..... It is nice to have a balance of family,work, and passion...

Isn't it amazing how much you can accomplish when you really want to! Good job!

now this article was appreciated! :) while i'd love to quit my dayjob and really throw myself all-in to my business, it's a huge risk to take when you've got 2 little guys depending on you. i've got a 2 year plan, when the youngest goes to school and we don't have the daycare monkey on our backs anymore. like you, i thank god for my supportive husband, who does 90% of the cooking, housework and bedtimes when i am really busy, and allows me to burn the candle at 2 ends (or 3, or 4 it sometimes feels like) so i can work towards my dream. best wishes to you, and it was so refreshing to read your story, because it's mine, too. :)

I started my business and leaped into the fire... and yes, it burns. I have no paying job and the business does not pay me yet. So times are very tough and my art is my only salvation. Yet some how, I have managed to get by and I am still breathing and still working 12 hours a days and paying my dues. Will it pay off? We will see, either way, getting a loan is not an option for me either. Blood, sweat and tears is what I am building my business plan on.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful article! As women (and men too) I know that we can accomplish anything!! I am a newbie seller to Etsy, and it took me quite some time to craft and accumulate the inventory that I currently have...I am a full-time working single mom with two children (one has special needs), a mortgage, a car, etc., etc., so leaving my day job would not be an option, plus I enjoy working outside of the home. There is something very magical about crafting and proudly posting handmade creations on Etsy...I think it is actually motivating me to work harder on both ends! I believe it is entirely possible to be successful in both worlds through hard work, committment, focus, determination, and sometimes a lack of sleep :) Congratulations on your business and shop...beautiful products!

Thank you so much for this article. I, too, am happy in my day job as a high school business/computer teacher/cheerleading coach/mom. My Etsy business allows us to have some extra spending money. Maybe, one day, I'll reach that point of quitting my day job, but, right now, I couldn't be much happier about how my shop is growing.

I completely understand the divide between having a day job and being a creative person. I had two jobs before opening my store. One was so mentally and physically draining (think of the largest cheap retail store in the world...starts with a big yucky "W"). I didn't like selling cheaply made, mass-marketed items knowing where they came from and who made them. And being treated like I was disposable day in and day out finally pushed me to leaving, and I don't know why I had ever stayed in the first place! Now I have one part-time day job (which is pretty awesome) and get to spend as much time as I want doing my own thing and running my own business. Despite not having as many sales as I would like, being able to control my own income and happiness is well worth the uncertainty owning your own business can bring.

Thanks for sharing your story. Wishing you much success!

I actually work 2 jobs and hope to someday make my Etsy store profitable enough to get rid of the 2nd job. Right now I have 13 orders from people at these jobs so I do not have enough time to devote to my store. I am taking it one day at a time.

Thank you for this uplifting story! I also cannot quit my day job and is struggling to grow my etsy business as well. Reading your story helps me see that many other Etsy sellers are in similar shoes and gives me the courage to keep going on my course! THANKS!

Amazing! Someone mentioned borrowing your hubby... I don't need to borrow yours but hopefully my own will soon understand that I cannot go to bed at 10 when he is ready for it. I can manage with less sleep when I do something I love doing. I too dream of making this my every day job... but one step at a time - first I must launch my etsy shop. Great article! And GREAT STORY! Thank you for sharing

FINALLY ~ A story I can truly identify with!! Please do more of these. As much as I'd love to quit my day job, it's not going to happen anytime soon. I love hearing how others balance a 9-5, plus Etsy, plus family, etc.

Yay! It is terrific to read this story b/c I think this juggling act is the reality for most of us. Kudos to this family. Keep up the lovely work. :)

great story!

*waves* Hi, from Plainfield! :) Congratulations!!! :)

Wow you are very brave. I would of burnt out already! Soap is so addictive to make, sometimes I dream to make it into a business.... hehe but I'll stick jewelry anyhow. Your stuff is beautiful btw, I don't know how to make they so pretty!

I loved this story. I think a lot of us can relate to it. I hope to see more like it. Congrats to Christy on a beautiful shop and products.

Christy, what a great article! Thanks for sharing & I wish you the best of luck to make all your dreams come true! Anita PacificParadiseSoap

Hi. I am also an IN Crowd team member working full time while trying to make my etsy shop grow. I have always wanted to make the things I am now making but never could find the time. I still don't have the time, but I'm a grandma now and the time just keeps going by. It's now or never if I ever want to have my own business. Etsy has given me a wonderful way to do that at my own pace. I am very lucky, also, to have a very helpful and supportive husband, thankfully. I better remember to tell him thank you. I'm so impressed with your story and you have a great product. I enjoyed reading about what you are doing. Thank you, again, for your inspiration.

Thank you for your inspiring story. I too would "like to quit my day job". I have did some craft shows last year and sell to a select bunch of awesome people, some of whom have had to wait for their custome bag. I make tote bags, purses and wallets. I haven't been able to post anything here on Etsy, because they have sold out word-of-mouth and I luckily am doing a huge show in two months! I feel lucky to be able to do this and have the support from my family like I do. One day soon I know I will be able to devote the time it takes to do this the right way. Thanks again for the story Etsy! Angie

All the stories of how other Etsians do it are inspiring and the rest of us "also want to runs" need that extra shot every once in a whole. Thanx

I am so glad to see Etsy finally doing a story from this angle. There are lots of multi-talented folks out there, and there is no reason why they should have to only pick one "job" to have. Life is about balance.

I did quit my day job and old lifestyle. It was killing me. I also simplified my life so I don't have a ton of bills. No credit cards, cut them up. I got a prepaid one instead. I cut my cable. I got a smaller used car. Only one phone for the family. Eat at home 98% of the time. Shop at consignment stores. I am really enjoying my new simplified life. We tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. We get so busy working for others that we sometimes forget about ourselves. So, you want to quit your job? Do it. Don't be scared. (btw I'm not a millionaire, I didn't inherit any money, etc.) Enjoy life and stop working so much!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I actually did quit my 9-5 2 years ago in order to focus on my business full time. I have since picked up a couple of part time jobs here and there to help with purchasing inventory for my business but I am proud to say that it will be 2 years in May that I have been working full time on my dream. I know for sure that hard work does pay off as does doing what you love to do. I hope things keep going up up up hill for you and your business!

Great story. Great setup.

Thanks for your story! You make beautiful things!

Oh wowQ Wonderful story...I can very much relate to it. thank you very much!

This is great story and also a great selection.

Beautiful shop KBShimmer! I feel I am always torn between wanting to stay at my day job or leaving it to pursue my passion for making jewelry and other creative endeavors. I have so many ideas but I feel that my time for creating is so limited between my job, my kids, and household demands. I think for now I have to create when I can and try to grow my business at a pace I can handle. Thank you for your inspirational story - it makes me want to keep working hard no matter what I ultimately decide to do!

Such an inspiring story! And all the while, I was thinking I had it pretty hard by going to pharmacy school while starting and running a soap business during the middle of the semester. You definitely give me a lot more energy to keep going! :)

Thanks for sharing. It is nice to hear about the reality of working what is, essentially, two jobs for a change. I applaud those that can "quit their day job" but the reality is that most can't, so this was a great story! Good Luck to you!

Great article! I love my job; most of the time I have plenty of free time to be creative, and I know there is money to pay the bills.. I'm so very lucky!

Great story! Wonderful to see a fellow INCrowdTeam member featured. Right now I'm enjoying my double life, making the balance between a normal job, kids and crafting after bedtime. So far it works. I don't see quitting my day job becoming a reality for quite a long time since that's where we get our insurance, but my business is helping supplement our income so that we can do fun things as a family.

thank you for this article! i did quit my day job a year ago this month. however, i can't claim that my etsy shops provide my sole income because i have two other jobs. so, i guess i am more of a "piece together an existence with etsy part of the mix" example.

What a wonderful article. Reality bites. ;) I think this is an incredibly relevant view though - making it on your own, without a lot of startup capital and making it work for yourself is tough, but so rewarding. Simply fabulous!

This article is super-inspiring (huge congrats Christy!) as are all the comments from so many of us in the same boat! Etsy should continue to highlight those of us who work a job and work at our businesses in addition to the Quit your Day Job posts, as the stories are so interesting and informative, and they certainly illustrate the gamut of possibility for working artists. I push a mouse as a graphic designer during the day, work my jewelry business week nights and weekends (often until wayyy too late each night!) and somehow find time to be part of an active dance company as well...it's inspiring/reassuring and supportive to hear everyone's stories of how they're making it work in their own lives (if only so I know that I'm not entirely crazy...yet!)

Quitting my day job is not a realistic option for me. However selling on Etsy gives me the extra security, in a troubled economy, of having some control over my life so I feel a little less stress over the world around me. It is also the much needed created outlet from a stressful day at the office.

Awesome Story KB

Having a day job is a great balance for me, but it helps that I am able to be creative in my day job as well. This was a great story and a definite boost to my day!

Great story! I love my day job which helps alot. I used to work fast food and was so depressed thinking of all the art I could be creating instead of food. Now I work at a retail store and I love it because I am surrounded by loads of colors and fashion. It is the perfect job for me and I dont have to "wish I were someplace else" It really feeds my creativity and I can look out for all the seasons color combos and new fashions and its such a bright and colorful place!! I would say if you hate your dayjob.. try finding something you may enjoy as well as your art!

I agree with what have been said. This is very inspiring and help most of sellers on Etsy to keep going to all the different responsibilities we have to deal with. Etsy should definitely keep highlighting this stories. Loved it!

This story is so inspiring. I think it lets us all know that it's ok to not quit your job but keep your business going - great to hear!!

Thanks so much for sharing your story and reality! I'm in the same boat, my day job provides the stability we need and my mom and I can grow our business at our own pace and not have to take out loans. Your husband is awesome for being so supportive!

I loved reading this story. I know I can't realistically quit my day job, though I have an infatuation with reading the Quit Your Day Job posts.... it is nice to see people pursuing their dreams, while still keeping a regular income.

This article resonates and inspires me. I can relate the late night working hours...it's true!!

Your world sounds like mind except my husband is not that supporting, thank you for your story it help a lot i am not in it along.

WOW. What an inspirational story! I feel like I'm in the incubation period of QMDJ... it's great to see the hard work and thought that goes into doing your creative work and holding down a steady job to help support it. Major kudos to you Christy! Much luck to you and your biz.

Well done Christy on your juggling act! It makes me feel like a sensible person and not the woos I thought I was for not giving up a regular pay cheque! I'm lucky that I've managed to drop one whole day a week from the day job to do jewellery and maybe next year I can cut another giving me a lovely 2.5 day in each balance - but in the meantime I'm with Christy!

Thank you for the inspiring story. It's good to hear that you kept your day job while trying to make your business grow. That is what I wanted to do in the first place however I just hate my job so much thatI quit my day job a couple of weeks ago to start my business here on Etsy. So far I only have one sale. But I am keeping my fingers crossed. If this will not work out then I'll find another day job. :-)

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing and inspiring especially a newbie like me!

Thanks for the encouragement! So many of us cannot realistically quit our day job, it is great to read about how you can still be successful! Like so many others, I work full time instead of craft full time, and finding the right balance for my family can be difficult. Day job, young children, husband and crafting all require lots of time and energy! Beautiful shop, and congratulations on your success!

Thank you KBSHIMMER! So inspiring! I would not want to quit my day job, I love it. But very cool that you are successful here! Beautiful soaps!!

I too would love to quit my day job (although it's not a bad one, I'm an elementary art teacher!). However I'm taking this time to reinvest all the profit back into my business...upgrading my software, printers and art materials, etc. I just did business taxes for the first time. Eek! I can see the future though, and in the next couple years I will break free! :) angie

I love this interview! As an Etsy seller who also works a day job, I understand how frustrating it can be to not have as much time as you want to put into your Etsy shop. (Is there ever enough time in the day?) I am so inspired by your story and would love to see a regular feature of people who "keep their day job" in addition to the "quit your day job" feature. Thanks KBShimmer!

This article was so encouraging. Thank you for sharing.

Beautifull story! I like your color combinations very much!

Great interview! I love that you chose to maintain complete control over your business rather than take on an investor. And I am totally drooling over the swirly, soapy goodness.

Thanks for this article!! It makes me feel better about my reality that, for several reasons, quitting my day job is so far away. Your story helps me to see that I'm not the only one...and inspires me to keep plugging away!

Wonderful interview! I love the soaps, they are so yummy looking!

KBShimmer - Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm going to save this article because it was the push I need to finally convert to a seller and open my shop! Everything else is ready, except be believing I can do both. I kind of like my job in corporate america right now, but I also love making things with my hands.

Your soaps are beautiful! Great job on your business! And congratulations on working so hard, both at creating and a 8 to 5 job.