Horrible Failure to Hobby to Handmade Etsy Shop
When I was growing up, my cousin would come stay with me in our camper for a few days every summer. We'd do typical camping-type things on these visits: swimming during the day, fires, s'mores, and watching for shooting stars at night. But one of these summers stands out more than the others, because instead of just swimming and toasting marshmallows, we found ourselves stuck inside making friendship bracelets.
I was horrible at it. I distinctly remember giving up after a while, which is probably why I have no idea where that bracelet is today or even what it looked like. I am easily frustrated when I can't immediately grasp something new, and I usually give up, try again in a week or so, and repeat.
That is where my shop started. Making bracelets with my cousin, feeling horribly frustrated because she was so much better than me at it (it didn't occur to me that as the one teaching me how to do it, she kind of had to be). I slowly improved, and eventually I was making bracelets while I watched Netflix or listened to music to satisfy my inability to sit still for five minutes. After having several people tell me that I should be selling these bracelets somewhere, I finally stumbled upon Etsy, created an account, and listed some of them.
Since then, I have taught myself how to knit and crochet, so I can expand my shop even further. And now I don't only create for something to do. Making things has become one of my favorite hobbies. My favorite items are the ones that were custom-ordered from great customers. I wake up in the morning with new ideas (some of which I've already added to my shop). I've watched myself slowly improve at every aspect of running this business, especially taking and editing photos to list my jewelry and crochet. I love what I do, and hopefully you will, too!
