Inspired to write about me..

I've never been self-absorbed, but I've always enjoyed questions being asked about me or even better, asking myself why I make the choices I do. I thought that I write about how I make this and what I do, but there is not a single pic of me here, and you only see the crafty side of me, so in case you are interested, I will tell you a bit more about me and how I got here.

I was recently contacted (last night), by a fellow Etsian and Flickr contact, KnittyDirtyGirl, who turns out, wrote a very inspiring Storque article this month on Etsy, about how she up and quit her day job and became a full time Mom and Etsy seller.

As I was reading this article, I started really relating to a lot of what she was talking about. I too had left my full-time job when I was 4 months pregnant. Feeling sick every day, working too many OT hours, and not respecting the way my company was running things, I knew there had to be more than this.

I used to be in the Travel Industry for years, and in this particular job I was working for an small and elite group of gals that worked onsite at a major tech company in the valley, who did all of the travel arrangements for the co-founders and the executives.

Every time someone asked me what I did and I'd tell them, they would say that it was such an important job. It made me think, no, not really, sure it sounds important, but really what I was doing was working with spoiled adult executives, working overtime to making them happy, and helping someone else become even richer (i.e. the company). I just couldn't see how this was enriching my life or helping others.

Now, I'm not saying that by me creating a cute stuffed bunny like Lapin will make my life instantly better or save the world, but being crafty and inventive is something I've done since I was very small, and it sure brings a smile to my face when I complete an idea and then see how it brightens someone else's day.

So, back in August last year, I left my position and decided to concentrate on my pregnancy. Good thing because I ended up with major health issues from it, and sadly my Etsy shop was neglected, but I got a beautiful baby girl out of it and I'd do it a trillion times over if I had to.

Just a few months ago I had a revelation while driving. I knew that I would have to go back to work soon, but I didn't have a clue to what type of position I wanted, nor had the eagerness I've always had before when looking for a job. I realized that it was my baby Elodie who was the most important thing (besides her Dad of course ;o) ), and the 2 things I wanted most to do was to take care of her and finally make a business out of what I love to do most, which are my crafts.

Therefore, the stay-at-home Mom idea was born, and since my fiance agreed that it was certainly better to have me watch over Elodie and not get paid, then pay out the same or possible more to a stranger and miss all of her "firsts" (first giggle, first hug,etc.)., we decided that I should concentrate on my business while watching her.

So, I'm happy to announce that after much research on how to revamp my shop, I've held my Grand re-Opening a couple of weeks ago and I am using my stolen moments from Elodie to make new items and try to keep posting them 1-3 times a week. So far, it has been a fun experience and I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor.

To help celebrate, I am holding drawings for pieces of my work every so often, and to keep on top of things, I hope to keep in touch with all the amazing and wonderful crafters that surround me through Facebook, Flickr, and Etsys forums. This being said, feel free to contact me or leave comments on my blog any time. It keeps me company in these wee hours of the morning, and it really makes my day (err..I mean night--ok, day and night!).

Cheers and xoxo
Jeyn :o)