First off, I want to apologize to any readers out there. This first year has been a bumpy road of me trying to figure out my nitch and what I want Bubbles ‘n Stitches to be. It doesn’t help that everyone around me is super opinionated and I’m kind of a push over. Whoops.
This is me taking a stand.
Originally, Bubbles ‘n Stitches was supposed to be a craft business focused on hypo-allergenic soaps, woven items, and knitted items. Currently it is soaps, woven items, knitted items, blankets, baby stuff, and wooden bowls. How on earth did I go from a simple clear focus to all over the place? Or, as a good friend said, a tacky direction? There’s a simple answer to this. I’m a push over. When my family discovered what I was up to, they, as usual, plowed me over trying to get in on the action.
This is the stand that I asked for help with. Didn’t it turn our beautiful?
For instance, last fall I asked my mom for assistance on building a stand for my craft shows because she has a house and all the tools necessary to build said stand. Next thing I know she’s built the stand (not how I envisioned it, but beautiful just the same) and she has a pile of baby items to add to my inventory.
Being the nice daughter that I am, I didn’t have the heart to tell her no. So I took on her world of baby. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom (even when she’s being over helpful) and she has amazing baby knowledge after 30+ years of owning and operating her own home daycare. I’ve thought really long and hard about this, and I know in my heart babies are just not my area of expertise. Granted, I know a lot about babies and I’m great at talking baby advice with anyone who needs it, I just know my passion is not there. This last year has been a struggle, forcing myself to put aside the crafts that I am passionate about to make baby things. I thought I had to do it. Especially because I saw how happy it made my mom.
Once these are gone, they are gone
After many many therapy conversations with my understanding boyfriend and my amazingly supportive best friend, I’ve decided it is time to grow a pair and hopefully let mom down gently.
No more baby.
As such, I will be selling all my remaining baby inventory as is. I will not be adding any new fabric patterns or making any more baby items. If my mom would like to continue to make baby things on her own, that is up to her, but Bubbles ‘n Stitches is officially done making baby items.
Other Changes?
What about all the other add-ins I’ve collected this last year?
The beautiful Wooden Bowls. They’re amazing, and gorgeous. Without the baby items, the bowls will stand out more. I don’t mind hanging onto them for another few shows, just to see if anything will happen with them, but in the long run, they are my uncle’s creations. And he already has his own etsy account, so they too will be disappearing from my collection.
Will you get rid of the blankets?
No.
The blankets are here to stay, although they are going to morph a little. Instead of being focused only on baby patterns, the blankets will gradually become more adult prints and larger. Why am I keeping the satin edge blankets? Because they can be added to my theme comfortably. I think blankets will work well next to all my woven scarves, cowls, and shawls. I’m also working on a new woven item, but I’ll keep that under wraps until I’ve worked out the kinks 🙂
What’s Left?
After everything is said and done, I will be returning mostly to my original inventory. Here’s a list of what I will continue to sell:
- Soap *I’ve been working hard on my soaps! I can’t wait for the next show for everyone to see how good I am getting!
- Lotion Bars
- Scarves
- Cowls **NEW ITEM!
- Fingerless Gloves
- Satin-edged Blankets
So if you’re here because of my baby stuff, you better hurry over to the store and go shopping while it lasts because once it’s gone, it’s gone.
I’m looking forward to all the changes. With any luck, it will give me more time to do the things I love doing and hopefully, give me more time to blog!
What do you think about all my changes? I’d love to hear you opinions!