This was a regular topic of conversation with visitors over the last two weekends of York Open Studios (yes talking about art prompts all sorts of revelations, confidences and shared experiences). I was thinking of writing a Substack post on it myself in the next week or so - I won't crib yours! All our lives have changed and I think most of us now mentally categorise our lives as 'before' and 'since'.
That's so true and I guess partly it's a natural response to having undergone such an experience. I'm really grateful to have spaces like this to discuss it with others - it definitely helps to feel less as though you are going it alone.
A podcast is very exciting. I’ve been helping produce two for a while and attempted my own for a little bit. (Need to get back on to that bit the universe isn’t always playing ball).
I was thinking about the last three years. It’s my birthday this week and thinking how I’m spending it just with my kids again because my husband is away. 3 years ago it was the pandemic, the next time my husband was in Denmark and I was back in the U.K. with both kids. Last year my friend worked on making sure I had a good birthday for my first one in Denmark.
It is incredible how much some things can change whilst others remain the same, not sure I will ever be able to explain to any non crafter how much yarn (in my case crochet) can keep you tethered whilst the world around you over turns. It is really wonderful that you have managed to grow your craft into income threads that are able to support you and move you forward through all the changes. Do you mind me asking what you use to host your website? I am looking to start selling my patterns and would love to be able to sell direct rather than relying on ravelry/Etsy, I am used to using Wordpress but adding a shop pushes you up to the more expensive monthly plan so am looking at other options.
My website is hosted through Squarespace and it links up to the Facebook/Meta commerce site - so if you post a picture on Instagram you can tag it as a product in your shop and people can buy with just 1 click through. Before that though I also set up on Payhip. It's a super easy way to sell digital downloads and really quick to list new designs - much quicker than all the pages you have to fill out on Ravelry. The downside of Payhip is that there is no search function though, so the only way people are going to find your patterns is if you give them the links - a lot
Lots of things have changed in three years for me. I now live in central Texas where I use to live in Maryland USA. In the five years we have been here we’ve had a severe drought, flooding, a fight for our library, corruption forced closed our small police department, prices on name brand groceries have skyrocketed. I am on blood pressure medicine now, parent died this year, we all got to say goodbye which was extraordinary, I am working in a small yarn store and hoping for some unknown reason to finish out 2023 and end my employment. I am thinking of a substack and website but not sure. Current events are just really bad all over, and I am sick of the gray days. I am thinking of taking up watercolor, trying to figure out what to put on my bed, the dog has ripped up a variety of quilts, pillows, sheets, sigh. Prices for a bag of potato chips is now $5 which is mind blowing. Still knitting, still collecting yarn, security for the times ahead. Interesting times interesting times. I could use less.
She was ready to go to the “next place” for a long while. She is with family, friends, and assorted individuals who impacted her life. There is a big room, everyone is laughing,talking, telling stories and best of all it (our life) is explained to us. Then, when the party is over we go beyond, wherever that is. It’s all good.
Thank you so much for your gentle musings. I knit daily (not well, but consistently), work outside of my home in my own accounting firm, have been married a long time to my husband who is retiring this month but is currently away with his father who is under hospice care. Knitting through all of this brings so much peace. I appreciate your sharing your stitches with us. You are a comfort.
This was a regular topic of conversation with visitors over the last two weekends of York Open Studios (yes talking about art prompts all sorts of revelations, confidences and shared experiences). I was thinking of writing a Substack post on it myself in the next week or so - I won't crib yours! All our lives have changed and I think most of us now mentally categorise our lives as 'before' and 'since'.
That's so true and I guess partly it's a natural response to having undergone such an experience. I'm really grateful to have spaces like this to discuss it with others - it definitely helps to feel less as though you are going it alone.
A podcast is very exciting. I’ve been helping produce two for a while and attempted my own for a little bit. (Need to get back on to that bit the universe isn’t always playing ball).
I was thinking about the last three years. It’s my birthday this week and thinking how I’m spending it just with my kids again because my husband is away. 3 years ago it was the pandemic, the next time my husband was in Denmark and I was back in the U.K. with both kids. Last year my friend worked on making sure I had a good birthday for my first one in Denmark.
Time just whizzes by doesn't it. It's my son's birthday too and we've been so busy we haven't really had time to plan much.
It is incredible how much some things can change whilst others remain the same, not sure I will ever be able to explain to any non crafter how much yarn (in my case crochet) can keep you tethered whilst the world around you over turns. It is really wonderful that you have managed to grow your craft into income threads that are able to support you and move you forward through all the changes. Do you mind me asking what you use to host your website? I am looking to start selling my patterns and would love to be able to sell direct rather than relying on ravelry/Etsy, I am used to using Wordpress but adding a shop pushes you up to the more expensive monthly plan so am looking at other options.
My website is hosted through Squarespace and it links up to the Facebook/Meta commerce site - so if you post a picture on Instagram you can tag it as a product in your shop and people can buy with just 1 click through. Before that though I also set up on Payhip. It's a super easy way to sell digital downloads and really quick to list new designs - much quicker than all the pages you have to fill out on Ravelry. The downside of Payhip is that there is no search function though, so the only way people are going to find your patterns is if you give them the links - a lot
Thank you shall take a look 🙏
That's such a lovely thing to say, and thank you. I really appreciate you being here.
Lots of things have changed in three years for me. I now live in central Texas where I use to live in Maryland USA. In the five years we have been here we’ve had a severe drought, flooding, a fight for our library, corruption forced closed our small police department, prices on name brand groceries have skyrocketed. I am on blood pressure medicine now, parent died this year, we all got to say goodbye which was extraordinary, I am working in a small yarn store and hoping for some unknown reason to finish out 2023 and end my employment. I am thinking of a substack and website but not sure. Current events are just really bad all over, and I am sick of the gray days. I am thinking of taking up watercolor, trying to figure out what to put on my bed, the dog has ripped up a variety of quilts, pillows, sheets, sigh. Prices for a bag of potato chips is now $5 which is mind blowing. Still knitting, still collecting yarn, security for the times ahead. Interesting times interesting times. I could use less.
It's been such a difficult time hasn't it. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your parents - sending hugs
She was ready to go to the “next place” for a long while. She is with family, friends, and assorted individuals who impacted her life. There is a big room, everyone is laughing,talking, telling stories and best of all it (our life) is explained to us. Then, when the party is over we go beyond, wherever that is. It’s all good.
Thank you so much for your gentle musings. I knit daily (not well, but consistently), work outside of my home in my own accounting firm, have been married a long time to my husband who is retiring this month but is currently away with his father who is under hospice care. Knitting through all of this brings so much peace. I appreciate your sharing your stitches with us. You are a comfort.