The New Chapter

Many people get panicked when they find themselves unemployed, but not me.  I recently quit a job that paid me really well so I could concentrate on my online business.  I really want to make a go of this opportunity.  I have laid the preliminary ground work to this adventure and now, I have to move full steam ahead.

Am I scared?  Yes.  Am I uncertain about the future?  Yes.  Am I willing to plow ahead?  Yes.

I could have been the author of the book in the picture because I feel happier and calmer now than I have in a long time--the result of ditching the job that demanded too much of my time, energy and resources.

This new chapter is just beginning, but I will keep you posted with my thoughts and feelings and ideas.  I will try to chronicle what works and what doesn't when starting an online store.  

I inherited two things from my parents:  Rheumatoid Arthritis from my dad and a love of crochet from my mom. 

Crocheting intricate doll dresses and tiny doilies became increasingly difficult to the point I had to have surgery to repair joint damage in my right hand. After my surgery and several months of physical therapy, I was ready to take to the crochet hook, again. I had to make adjustments to my crochet techniques, essentially learning my craft all over again.  I began using an ergonomic hook, which made all the difference.  However, if I go a few days without crocheting, I notice more stiffness in my hands and they are far more achy and painful. 

By following these tips, I am able to 

• Warm up. Soak your hands in warm water and lightly stretch them before starting your project to reduce stiffness.
• Switch it up.  Move between crochet projects so you don't put excessive, repetitive strain on your hands. For example, I will alternate between a project that requires tight stitching, such as a doily or other thread crochet project, and something looser, like a crocheted afghan.
• Loosen up. The more forceful your grip, the more you compromise your joints and hands. Be intentional about a more relaxed grip. 
• Pick projects carefully. Very large projects such as oversized sweaters and afghans can get heavy and might be hard to manage. If you’re making a gift for a birthday, allow yourself plenty of time to complete it so that you don’t strain your hands while rushing to finish.
• Rest. RA can flare in response to certain triggers, and one of those is overwork. I definitely pace myself rather than overworking my joints.
• Try heat. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it does for me. I use special gloves designed to help support the joints and keep my hands warm.
• Take medication for pain and stiffness. Talk with your doctor about the best drug options for you. You might want to take medication before a prolonged period of work on a project.
• Get support.  Reach out to the local arthritis association groups, through which you’re likely to find other people coping with the same problems.

Above all, don't allow your illness to rob you of your love of crochet. 

Make the Most of The Time You Have

You can manage time better by finding lost time. Lost time is that which you didn’t even realize you were wasting in the first place. It’s almost like keeping change in a piggy bank and one day you realize it’s totaled over $100! 

Don’t waste the time that most people do. 

There are ways to find time that’s often overlooked because people tend to think of time management as being large blocks of time available. But you can do a lot with just ten or fifteen minutes.

Don’t waste the time you have while waiting in a doctor’s office or while exercising. If you like to use a treadmill, you can get one that has a desk so that you can take care of something that has to be dealt with. 

Realize that not everything that seems important is. 

It only seems that way. Look at your life and stop doing the things that aren’t important that drain your time. If something isn’t a matter of you being happy and succeeding personally or professionally, then it’s not important. 

Run ahead, not behind. 

When you get behind schedule, it can make you feel a lot of pressure and it adds stress to your life. Try to get things done ahead of time because this gives you a buffer in time management. 

Delegating is a great way to help with time management.

Most people like to do things themselves because they know then that the job is done correctly. But if you do the things that others can do, it’s draining your time. For example, some time drains are things like mowing the grass or cleaning the house, scheduling meetings, handling social media updates. 

What you can do is to look at how much it costs you do the tasks that you do. If someone else can do them, then you’re not only losing time - you’re losing money. 

If you earn $200 per hour, then an hour of mowing the grass costs you $200. But if you pay someone $50 to mow the grass, then you saved an hour and $150 because you gained time. 

Deal with emails the right way. 

Handling email causes more people to get off track than any other online task beside social media and online games. 

Manage your time wisely with email by setting aside a specific time to deal with email and setting a time limit on how long you’ll take responding to the messages. 

If they’re not important, don’t save them to look at later because they’ll only pile up in your inbox. If your life allows you to, hire an assistant to deal with handling your email

Crochet Tips

For those wanting to begin crocheting, having a mentor and someone to work alongside is a great way to learn. Many websites also offer great instruction for new crocheters, in addition to tips for more advanced projects.

There are a variety of stitches used by crocheters, and it is best when starting out to start small. Practice basic stitches first, such as the slip stitch and foundation chain. Once an understanding of basic stitches is had, then begin to work through reading patterns.

Patterns vary in difficulty, as well, so again, be sure to start small and work at your ability and comfort level.

Here are some tips for beginners, from the website www.allfreecrochet.com, to keep in mind when just starting out.

1. Keep your hands clean

2. Take frequent rest/stretch breaks

3. Keep your crochet necessities in one spot

4. Read through the pattern you plan to use

5. Check your gauge (how the size of your yarn affects your project; is it too small or too large?)

6. Keep your tension consistent

7. Don't be afraid to try a different brand of hook

8. Save a small bit of scrap from your project

9. Stitch markers are your friends

10. Block your work

11. Don't give up. Practice makes perfect!

The PERFECT Image

I found this pic that I can use at my Chesapeake Bay Crochet Store at Shopify.  The home page allows me to tell my story, which I am having fun thinking about.  What exactly do I want to say about my store?  What do I want to say about myself?  All of this can be included.  The sky is the limit!

Finding open source photos to use is perfect.  They are Hi-Res and gorgeous at Unsplash --thousands and thousands to chose from.  I am like a kid in a candy store.

Yarn Reflections

Every person who crochets knows the importance of yarn--it is the principle tool of the craft.  Yarn is available in many weights, fibers, colors, thicknesses and textures.  My own yarn stash covers many touchable yarns from kitten soft to harsh as hemp.  It ranges from the tiniest threads to the bulkiest acrylics.

Cotton and polyester are the most commonly spun fibers in the world. Cotton is grown throughout the world, harvested, ginned, and prepared for yarn spinning. Polyester is extruded from polymers derived from natural gas and oil. Synthetic fibers are generally extruded in continuous strands of gel-state materials. These strands are drawn (stretched), annealed (hardened), and cured to obtain properties desirable for later processing.

The most commonly spun animal fiber is wool harvested from sheep. For hand knitting and hobby knitting or crochet, thick wool and acrylic yarns are frequently used.

My yarn... a small view of a large stash

As you can see, my own yarn is varied in color and texture, weights and levels of softness.

Journal Your Way to Success

Journaling is a method for keeping your thoughts and ideas organized.  I have a large collection of journals.  Most of them are empty.  I carry one with me for when an idea hits me or if I want to jot down an interesting website.  

Nearly all of my business plan was journaled before it was transformed into reality.  

Not only do I write in my journal, I read what I have written as a way to stay focused on the task.  Currently, my task is creating a viable sales site.

As of 2/1/2017, I am still not selling anything.

According to my journal, I need to create Steampunk Barbie Kits to sell with instructions on how to crochet the clothes.  I intend to include stockings, boots, gloves, materials to make a top hat, goggles, gears, ribbons, lace, charms and feathers.  

That is the top of my to-do list for the weekend:  Get a kit together and advertise it for sale