My Etsy Shop ReOpens!!

So I've always struggled with time management. I always think I can get way more done then I actually can. I also don't figure on the little time sinks, or attention grabbers that come each day. You know, an e-mail to be answered here, a bathroom that NEEDS cleaning, the birthday present you forgot to buy and have to get before tomorrow. That sort of stuff. Not that all of those things are bad- in fact a lot are really great and exciting, but still, take time. So when I was sitting here the other night, trying to prioritize the blog, my etsy shop, and my online course- I picked etsy because I'd promised Feb. 3rd would be the reopening. But I'd promised handmade book tutorials here too. AND oops- there's the overnight trip to Wisconsin that I knew about but hadn't really considered when making my schedule. So last night, after we got back from Wisconsin, I sat down and reopened my etsy shop. I have to say it feels really good. I listed just a few new things but I have a ton more in the works. Including a scribble heart lamp that's pretty adorable. I'm also going to be taking the step to list some of my original art from the book. It's super hard to part with some of these pieces, but I know it's the right thing to do too.One of the things I've learned through the process of owning a shop is that if I sell my work, I tend to make more because I want to replace it. I've also learned that not every piece of art I make was intended for me. It may be by me, it may have come out of my heart and soul, but it was not intended by God for me to keep. I know I'm getting a little mystifying here, but I think you'll know what I mean. I've talked to people who get so much more out of my work then I originally intended because it speaks to them about different things. Like the bird nest I created because I loved the lines and beauty of it- but a friend saw as an empty nest that spoke to her about her life right then.

So although I've said in the past that I just won't part with some of my pieces, I'm going to. I want to open them up to others so that the one person it was really intended for can find it. I do love that I was given the privilege of creating it. I also feel good because 10% of what I make I do donate to the kids in India and I'm hoping to be able to write them a nice fat check this spring after I get my first royalty check. Anything I sell through the shop between now and then is just going to be gravy.(whoo-hoo!)

I'll be back soon with more handmade books, as promised. I'm just going to stretch that into next week a bit. I bet you won't mind. :) But I'm wondering how you feel about parting with your art. I know making prints is a great solution that many people take, but if you sell original art, how do you do it? I'd love to have you all share! thank you!