Criticize This



[note: my photographer is out of town]

Do you love it?
Do  you hate it?

What don’t you like about it?
Is it too big?

What would you pay
for something like this?

$10?

Is that too much?
Should I sell it for more?

IDK what I’m doing here, folks.
I’m trying to find my niche in this whole handmade thing, and it’s kinda hard. Especially since I’m NOT a stay home wife.
{Warning, I’m about to vent}
I work 40 hours a week, and try to do handmade. It’s just hard.
I really enjoy this stuff so much, and I’m praying that God will lead this endeavor of mine, but I feel so confused. Is this for me? Is this the Lord’s will? Am I seeking after my own selfish desires? Maybe i'll just donate all my stuff to giveaways. I mean, my stuff is nothing compared to others {I know, I’m not supposed to compare}, but that is because I don’t have time to make the things that I’m inspired to make. I guess I’m just going to have to start sacrificing things {like sleep} if I want this to take off.

Ok, sorry. I did not intend for this to turn into a counselling session between us, but oh well. Enjoy.

I need honesty, folks.

K? Thx.

14 comments:

Brittany Sorensen said...

It's huge and delicious. Just like I like my donuts. And hair flowers, on a less edible note. I think it is cute and I betcha people will love it :] Chin up woman. YOU are creative, talented, spunky, and inspired. :] Why would the Lord bless you with this talent if he didn't want you to go share it with others? Whether that means selling them for $10 (a very good price, BTW), donating them to giveaways, sending them to children in Ethiopia, or just giving them to friends for their birthdays, I guess that is a matter of prayer...but I firmly believe that the Lord wants us to multiply our talents because we can grow as a person and spiritually from them. Just my two cents :]

ashley said...

1. I really like the colors
2. I am not sure ln size, but I also keep my headbands small
3. Charge 11-14 that's reasonable.
4. You are awesome for working and doing this
5. If a hobby takes away from time with your husband, and making a marriage awesome then it needs to be cut down.
6. I know desires take sacrafices but we all just need to learn balance!
7 you are beautiful!

Family Fashion and Facts said...

I would wear something that big on a hat...I LOVE big flowers on hats...I just put the stretchy headband around and it's perfect :)

$10.00 is a great price. doing something you enjoy is what is important. Don't do it cuz you think it will sell. Do it cuz You LOVE making it! Ashley is right... finding a balance between it all is important.

I get discouraged quite frequently...but at that point I have to remember that HE is in control. That HE loves me. He cares. He will show you what you are supposed to be doing. He is just that awesome :)

But in the meantime...I will be praying for balance and wisdom.
xoxo
Kels

Aleks said...

im not sure i have any good advice, im in the same boat as you. but i think that if you just pray on it, and make a schedule it will work. i have to make sure that i schedule me time to get things done that arent house chores or work. if you think about it too much or it stresses you out your hobby becomes work and you will quickly hate it. as far as that awesome headband, its fantabulous. i dont wear headbands but im sure the size is perfect. when you sell stuff you need to think, are you selling to make a profit? if so you HAVE to sell it for more than what the materials cost. if your just selling to have a creative outlet then pick a price you would feel comfortable with if you were the customer and that product was in another shop.

Chrissy @ the Pearl Blog said...

I love it. I love the size of the flower.. the headband width is large for me but looks great on you.. sell it for no less than 12.00. u r doing a great job. promise and i used to work 40+ hours a week and run my handmade shop too. I know the stress but it gets easier. love u girl!

Maria-Isabel @ Agape Love Designs said...

Girly You poor thing! wow you work so hard! I feel very blessed to be able to stay home and not GO to work. (Being a stay at home mom.. is still work! LOL) But I get to do all the fun stuff I love still. I feel very blessed, thanks for reminding me how blessed I am.
Anyways I LOVE the headband. I think it would be perfect for a newborn photo prop! Or a young girl or ME! haha it could work on so many levels, for girls/women of all ages.. depending on their style!
I love how big the flower is, though Im not sure how much I like how wide the headband part is.. I think the wider style would look best on a newborn or younger girl. Though maybe if I saw it worn another way, maybe under the hair, I might like the width better. But its a BIG deal, its still SUPER adorable!
and 10 is a reasonable price, ive seen similar items going for a lot more! But its always nice to not go way overboard with the price. So I think 10 is great. :)

You will get this down girl, dont worry! If you love it and it is fun, then dont sweat it. Just enjoy it and do it for the fun of it. If youre meant to take off and make money you will! Just dont make it another JOB, you definitely dont need the stress! *hug*

Maria-Isabel @ Agape Love Designs said...

Oops I meant its NOT a big deal.. its still adorable. LOL

Suzzie Vehrs said...

I adore it! The only thing is I have a small head (obnoxiously so) so I can't pull of big accessories :( but I wish I could with all my heart.

Amy said...

Megan,
I know how you feel with trying to balance working and creating. I do it too, and it wears me down pretty easily... to the point where I either want to burn all my craft supplies or quit my job. But of course, my heart won't allow me to do either.
I read a book called Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. If you are truly dedicated to selling your handmade items, then this book will make it easy to price, market, and sell your crafts without going insane. And it lets you decide how involved you want to be. If you want to sell your creations online or at craft shows or both or neither, it will give you everything you need to know.
Aside from that, you don't have to feel pressure to make a bunch of handmade items just because you have a craft blog. Share about yourself and your family, your recipes, advice, style ideas, decorating ideas, anything you want! And give us a craft whenever you feel inspired. We'll still read.
I've seen some of the photos you've pinned on Pinterest, and you can share those with us too!
Just keep your head up and don't feel like you HAVE to make things if you don't feel inspired.

Amanda said...

I think it's cute, I would buy it for my miss 5. But I cant seem to personally wear them this big (hubby tells me I have a peanut head).
Girl I am in the same boat as you, I have a momma break down almost weekly. Its hard to do it, but sleep is something that I have to sacerfice. I will do my mommy thing with the kiddos and then when they go to bed. I then hang out with hubby- sometimes that means he's playing angry birds (I seriously don't get that game) while I blog and research online. But to work on my orders is usually during nap time or late at night (and yes everyone sleeps through my hammering:)).
Prayer is the key thing. Its hard to compare bc we all do it. But keep your goal in front of you and prayer and it will come in Gods time not ours (something I struggle with)
So glad that we have "met"!
xoxox

Jacy said...

Megan,
I was in that same situation late last year. I was stuck in a 9 to 5 job that I knew wasn't for me & I prayed every day that I could do what I loved...
December came and *gulp* I got laid off! I started to tell God that was not what I wanted BUT it was exactly what He wanted!

When I decided in my mind to fully trust in God & not fear, that's when doors opened. Basically I said "God, if its in your will that I am at this job that I hate, it's for a reason. There is something I need to learn or someone I need to reach. If it's not meant for me, then I trust in what you are doing and know you will take care of things."

Six months later, I am running my own business and it is starting to take off :)

Hang in there girl!! We serve a God who cares about the desires of our hearts...it's not selfish as long as we give Him all the glory and praise!!
Email me anytime if you need to vent or chat!
artbyjacy@yahoo.com

Lesley said...

First of all, you are talking yourself out of this already!
All the self doubt and questions are digging you into a little rut. Don't ever say that people are making better things than you. You are making art with the gifts that God provided for you!
I've had my Etsy shop for a few months and every, single time I list something I look at what prices similar products are going for and most people are charging at least triple what I do and get way more sales. I get down. I question why.
But....what difference does it make? I love what I'm making and I know in my heart that God wouldn't allow my heart to get too wrapped up in something that would break it.
Keep your chin up. Relax.
And I love your piece. Price it at what you think you'd buy it for.

Nicole - Craft My Soul said...

Hey! Discovered you from Family, Fashion, and Facts! This post of yours spoke to me because I'm in the same boat! I haven't found my crafting niche either! Not that I have had anytime to work on it either! All I want to do is stay home all day and revamp clothing and make stuff but I too have to work 40 hours a week to support myself and my lifestyle. I think do exactly what you said and look to God for some answers or a sign. He will lead you in the right direction. Hang in there girly!

-Nicole
www.craftmysoul.blogspot.com
(warning I haven't posted in a while... see I don't even have time to blog!)

LP aka A Crafty Southern Chick said...

GIRL! I have been there (I have no time! I have no inspiration! I'm never making anything AGAIN!)...too many times. I don't know that what I feel my niche to be is necessarily a niche--upcycling is what I love. Repurposing. Which is pretty broad...but it works! So when you find what "works" for you--go with it. Even if you only have 15 minutes a day...start small! :) Need a pick-me-up? Facebook me! I'm so there girl!

(oh, and the gorgeous piece you're rockin' up there? Go big or go home! :) love it!)

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