Balancing Acts

Last week was a big milestone for me. Mada's Place turned three years old. Adam was born in April 2008, and I quit my job in retail to become a stay at home mom. I loved my baby, but I missed the creative outlet that my job had once been. I was given a sewing machine for my birthday in July. I played around a bit and taught myself to sew. I launched Mada's Place that October.

It wasn't a smashing success, at least not initially. I had very supportive friends who gave me great feedback, and my little shop began to grow. Last fall, business exploded. In two years on Etsy, I had reached 500 sales. That number more than doubled in just three months.

Today, I've surpassed 2600 items sold on Etsy. I am flattered and beyond grateful for all the love and support my customers have shown. I had always hoped for this kind of success, but it has come at a price.Many of my items are made to order, and at any given time I may have dozens of items waiting to be made and shipped. I work many evenings and weekends. My family has taken a backseat to my business, and I owe it to them to be a wife and mother first, and a business owner second.

Initially, I had made the decision to close my shop entirely. It wasn't easy, and I shed more than a few tears. But something was nagging at me. It just did not feel right to walk away from something I had put so much work and love into. I think (and hope!) that I have come to a compromise that will allow me to keep my shop open while still spending time with my family.

Mada's Place will close for the holiday season on December 4th. I'll be doing a couple craft shows locally and taking a much needed break. I have not yet set a date to reopen, but when I do, you'll notice a change. The only items you'll see available for purchase will be the items that are completed and ready to ship. I will not take custom requests or orders for items that aren't in stock. In other words, it's going to be more of a hobby til my little guy heads to school full time.

I truly love what I do, and I hope to bring my shop back in all its glory someday. But for now, this feels like the right thing to do.

Thank you for allowing me to create and share what I love. I know that without the support of my family, friends, and customers, I wouldn't be where I am today.