The Scrap Bin: End of January
The Scrap Bin
End of January
Heads up... this is a long one... but we haven't talked since October (!) so, I've got a lot to say.
Remember that night when we all stayed up too late and drank gin martinis and promised the Best Year Ever? It was five zillion years ago, just FYI. Have you stuck with your resolutions (aka determinations, aka intentions, aka more/less lists aka that thing that you know you want to try/do/quit but you haven't quite said out loud yet) or did they never exist in the first place?
I'm one of those obnoxious people who loves a new year and all that it entails. I could talk goals for hours. I make a whole photo book of the last year, I make resolutions, I write them down, I create checkpoints throughout the year... it's a whole thing. And the process of looking back over one single year never ceases to blow my mind. Many photo texts sent out to friends to the tune of "Can you BELIEVE this camping trip was within the last year!?"
They placate me by mustering as much unmatched excitement as possible "Woah!" ... "Crazy!"
They're sweet.
If you've been following along with my sosh meeds lately (and you should, because we have a lot of fun), you may know that one of my big whoppers this year is to quit the avoidance game. Or trap. Avoidance trap is definitely more accurate. I am the QUEEN of avoidance. Whether it's opening Scary Mail (a self-coined term that encompasses anything that doesn't look like a wedding invite), or getting an oil change, or looking at my bank account on a regular basis, if it is out of site, it is out of freakin mind, baby! And unfortunately for me, I kind of rock at avoidance. I know when to push the limits and I'm real good at talking my way out of delinquent parking tickets (ask me anything... I really should write a book). But here's the dirty lil secret with that one: Avoiding the problem does not a solution make. The mail that remains sealed only becomes more urgent and more scary and the $60 you're trying to avoid spending on an oil change ends up being $4000 to replace an engine block that cracks. (I know that number because I googled it once, literally bargaining my avoidance in a sleepless cold sweat).
But like Meghan Markle to her royal responsibilities, I'm ready to ditch the throne of Avoidance Queen and hit the open Canadian roads, facing all of the uncomfy bits for the promise of freedom on the other side. And getting to wear jeans again. And getting to sign a Disney deal. This metaphor is breaking down.
Ok, so let's get to the meat. My bills and their un-opened-ness does not matter to you.
But here's what might.
The parts of Home Ec that we built together last year.
The parts that I realized that I love and that work.
The parts that I realized that I did not so love. And not so work.
Here are a few...
What I love:
- Encouraging people to get in touch with their creativity
- Encouraging people to try something new
- Creating opportunities for other small business owners to be brave and move their tiny ideas into big actions
- Recommending and curating products, ideas, podcast episodes, anything that I can't shut up about
- Sewing and sharing what I'm sewing with you
- Patternmaking !
What I not so love:
- Charging people more money than I'd like to get in touch with their creativity / try something new
- Feeling the pressure to gauge the success of Home Ec by dollars and cents
So... you make these sort of lists. You write them down. The things we know. The things we've learned. The pros and the cons. And then you talk about them with a few friends. The facts that are leading somewhere that you're not quite sure of yet. Or are starting to realize the shape of but are avoiding facing.
...funnel funnel funnel.... process process process...
And then it hits you. Here's the truth of what should be done that you realize you can either avoid or you can stand up bravely and stand face to face.
So here it is. Announcement time.
The Studio needs close.
(Important clarifying statement: Home Ec is NOT closing. We're just moving on from the physical studio for the time being.)
My beautiful, wide open, welcoming, google-maps-able, "legitimizing" studio! It's sort of just... not working. The truth is, when you host a workshop/class (which, at the moment, is the entirety of Home Ec's offerings) there are about 5+ variables that need to align with the attendee in order for them to sign up:
Interest level
Discretionary funds available
Cost
Scheduling
Location
And then... just literally getting on the internet machine and remembering to sign up!
Understandably, those things are hard to align for anyone. And though the times shared in that studio with it's big wooden tables and natural light are magical and important, the stress of paying for that studio while your little baby business is fighting to succeed is not so magical. Especially when it's taking time and energy from the things that I'd rather be spending my time and energy growing. We're talking things that you all have asked for. And ideas that get me out of bed in the morning. Fun, exciting, I'm-really-good-at things.
So here's the plan.
(The bullet points version.)
Leaving the studio. (for now!)
Workshops hosted at local businesses, people's homes, pop up style!
PRIVATE sewing lessons where I come to you! (more on this later)
Workshops hosted by other makes that I can't wait for you to meet!
Allllllll of this for a MUCH lower cost! (I mean loooowww!)
Time for me to work on things like patterns, subscription boxes, YouTube classes (Hi to the 57% of you who are nowhere near Southern California! I love you so much!)
So, how does all of this sound? Good? Are you so confused? I hope not. Basically what we're talking about here is all of your favorite Home Ec things staying pretty much exactly the same, but done cheaper and alongside new, exciting, shiny things that I can't wait to work on.
I'm glad I finally get to share this. Facing the avoidance monster is really more about insecurity than anything and insecurity is such a boring crutch to lean on for any longer.
OK. THAT'S ALL. YAY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN IN 2020.
Do you want to teach a workshop with us this year?
Yes, please!
We're looking for new friends who want to host workshops with us. Any bad ass accountants out there who want to share more about managing money? Do you doodle on napkins? Let's do a napkin doodling workshop! Drinking a lot of natty wines these days? How about a wine tasting night!! I want it all!
Share your skill or a passion in our new workshop format.
Follow the link below to introduce yourself.
Meanwhile...
Next On Our Makes List: I get to be a pattern tester for @bellalovespatterns new Vita Dress. No pics yet, but it's gonna be a cutie patooooootie.
Adding to Our Stash: When I was in Indiana over New Years Eve, I found some awesome thrifted fabric at this giant antique warehouse/playground. It's kind of this abstract, old school, reyn spooner print and I'm envisioning it as either a summer robe or a shift dress. Hoping to add more thrifted/found fabric to my stash this year. Anyone know of any secret treasure troves in LA/OC?
Watching This: The sooner I send this newsletter, the sooner I can start watching Shrill Season 2. Butter me up, baby. I'm ready.
Listening to This: This song on repeat. Kind of the perfect song to get ready to in the morning.
Last Thing: Thank you. It's been a little over a year since I got day drunk with Lindsay Thorburn on gin martinis that she paid for one afternoon after quitting another part time job that was going nowhere and wondering if my life was going nowhere too. I told her this secret idea that I barely had to courage to say out loud. We created an instagram account. We posted a picture. We're still at it. I no longer feel like my life is going nowhere.
Slowing down. Moving forward. Can't effing wait.