A New Year...A New Me...

As moms, we all wear many hats...some we put on ourselves, and some are put on us by others. As of midnight last night, I am officially back in business....I am completely excited about what this year may bring in all aspects of my life...business, family, and otherwise. But I have decided that it is time to make a more conscious choice of the hats I'm putting on my head...as well as the ones I'm sending out the door with the mailman! :)

So this brings me to the explanation of how things will be from here on out (or until I change my mind again...). After 6 months of business I knew I was in need of a few changes...because my husband told me so! Ha! No, in all seriousness...after months of discussion with pretty much everyone who is important in my life, I have decided to slow down a bit. The pace I was keeping before Christmas was unhealthy and I wasn't being the mom or wife that I want to be. So I took the month of December off thinking that would revive me and get me ready to start again, but it did the opposite. I was struggling with what to do...then one night when I actually had time to read all the blogs I used to read I saw this post by Jessica of Peas and Carrots. I obviously hadn't read in a while since she posted this in September! But after reading it, I knew that I felt the same way and had to make some serious changes...thanks Jess!

I really do think that this is a gift and talent that God has given me, so I do plan to continue, only on a more controlled and limited basis. Effective January 1st, I will be accepting no more custom orders through Etsy. My prices will also need to go up a bit, since my husband calculated that I was making 84 cents per hour (which I think is a little exaggerated, but probably not as off as I'd like to think it is). I have LOTS of new ideas and one of a kind pieces in the works...so be checking my shop in coming weeks for those .

As I have gotten going, more of my own family, friends, and acquaintances right here in MN have wanted me to make things for their parties, and frankly it is more fun to make stuff for people I know than for people I don't. I do plan on continuing to do custom work (it really is my favorite thing to do) for my friends. I have already sent the basics of this blog to a few of my clients and they have been soooo supportive. Thanks to everyone for understanding.

2009 will see lots of changes in the Newman household...someone is turning 30 (hmm...any guesses?)...my oldest child will go to Kindergarten, my middle child will start Preschool, I will again put on my teacher hat and venture back out into the work force, which means my youngest child will attend daycare for the first time. I am hoping these changes I am making now will make all of our transitions easier...I'll never get these precious few days back and I would hate to look back and feel as though I wasted them.

Sooooooooooo much to blog about...stay tuned!