My Etsy Self Employment Weekly Task List

Trying to find balance........

I needed to get a weekly checklist/schedule together.......  Between the housework, yardwork, and keeping relevant on etsy, I found some areas were being ignored..  So I'm setting a semi-rigid task list for each week. Of course I plan on assessing and reassessing as time goes by.....

I've also included the things that I've been putting off because I never "have time".  So I've set aside time for those "big projects" like cleaning out closets, digging a drainage tile around the house, cleaning out the basement, painting.....things like that.

So, here it is... keep in mind that this is just MY task list.  Yours will be much different depending on your workload and possible projects.  But I thought I'd share it as a jumping off point for someone thinking about what needs to get done... and time management for an independent business owner who works online and from home.

Weekly Task List
Sunday:
1. Package all open orders for Monday shipment.
2. Make and list items for SewEco
3. Research trends in accessories fashion
...........a. Anthropologie
............b. Vogue
............c. Marie Claire
............d. Etsy

Monday:
1. Ship out orders
2. Make and list for Rotifera
3. Edit and retake photos
4. ((Housecleaning))

Tuesday:
1. Check Supplies stock
2. Bookkeeping on Metricorn
3. ((Yardwork))

Wednesday:
1. Make and list for Rotifera
2. SEO work
3. Blog Post-tutorial
4. ((Declutter/Organize OR Home Improvement Project))

Thursday:
1. Nonteam Treasury
2. Package all orders for Friday shipment
3. Make and list for SewEco
4. Knit for Historical knits

Friday:
1. All teams- participation/treasuries
2. Ship out orders
3. Make and List for SewEco
4. Blog Post- Weekly Round Up

Saturday:
1. Clean/Organize Supplies and Stock
2. Edit listings
3. Blog Post : What I'm up to
4. ((Yardwork))


Yardwork::: Trim hedges, mow yard, yard cleanup, burnpile, weeding, planting, digging/plotting, landscaping, compost turning

Home Improvement::: Drainage Tile, Gutters, roof, carpet cleaning, painting, floor in bathroom, kitchen floor, cleaning out basement, waterproofing basement, light fixtures, smoke detectors, decopage boy’s dresser

Declutter/Organize::: All closets, all cabinets, laundry room, supplies, office, bookshelves, garage, shed, kitchen, bathroom, boys room, bedroom, knitting supplies

****work out for 1 hour each morning except Sunday. Heavy yardwork may substitute.
****Possibly take Saturday completely OFF twice/month. I may need it. Assess and Reassess.

Taking the Plunge!

I've finished the school year!!!!!!!  And QUIT!!!  To craft full time!!!!  In the words of Keanu Reeves....."Whoa."

So, in case you've only recently begun reading my blog... here is how it all started- with SewEcological.

Twas a blanket much like this one....

How did SewEcological begin? This is cautionary tale with a happy ending...sometimes, what you do in your free time is what you become! :)

I've always made all my Christmas gifts. One year it was an amateur attempt at bath salts and soaps, another it was a delectable gift basket of designer cookies, candles another. But in 2009 and 2010, I rediscovered my neglected sewing machine.

One of the gifts I made was for myself- I cut up all my mother's old sweaters (which were far too small for me), and made a keepsake blanket out of them. This was the impetus behind my upcycling- a simple blanket. I liked it so much that most of my closest friends received blankets made out of cashmere sweaters I rescued from the local thrift store. Everyone else got gloves made from the remnants of the sweaters.

Those same friends (thank you Kirsten and Rex!) told me to sell these things! They told me all about etsy. So I researched the site, found out that I had a nice little niche, and got to work. Sales were hit and miss for a year or so...and I started a second shop as a fun hobby on the side. Rotifera.etsy.com was the second shop, and it focused on hair accessories, which I didn't feel "fit" in this shop. Probably due to the fact that I finally figured out how to take a decent photo, it seemed that both shops took off at around the same time, in late 2011.

So much so, that I recently made a very scary decision- I resigned from the teaching profession! As of July 2012, I've traded in teaching high school chemistry and biology for full time independent designing.

I adore working for myself, and am so excited to have taken the plunge into making Etsy and designing my full time work. I hope to begin working craft shows this fall- so I'll keep this story up to date with my appearances!!! :)

♥Rose
--Pisces, free spirit, geek at heart, mother of two, and general quack-a-doodle.

Quitting my Day Job - Teaching

So, my day job is teaching.  My whole life has revolved around teaching for more than 4 years.  If you include going to college for teaching, student teaching, etc.....  more like 8 years. 

So it is sad.  Sad that I am leaving the profession after so little time.  Sad that I've become so disillusioned with the politics surrounding teaching.  Sad that the government and our society so little value the time and effort we put into molding students lives. 

I will miss them, those goofy kiddos.  I will miss the job.  I will miss making a difference, EVERY single day.  I'm good at this!  Teaching comes naturally to me.  Connecting with kids and making them see the importance of things in the classroom comes naturally to me.

BUT.  What does NOT come naturally is sitting idly by, watching my pay, insurance, and retirement cut by the state government every single day.  Michigan has cut my pay alone by over $600/month this year alone.  And to work for 30 years to receive a tiny $1200/month retirement, with no real guarantee of even receiving that??  THAT does NOT come naturally.

So...... I have resigned from the teaching profession after 4 years of blood, sweat, and real tears.

The plan?  Do something that makes me as happy as teaching.  Creating.  Selling things that I've imagined and then made with my own two hands.

My etsy stores, craft shows, really focusing on the development of my two young boys, my market garden.  That is what will be taking my time from now on.   

I hope I never regret the decision to work for myself, and focus on my children.  :)

Now...................

Who wants to help me clean out my classroom?