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What to say? I think I need to explore my blocks to accomplishing this goal I have, because I seem to be having a hard time working in any kind of productive way. First off, what are the steps I see myself needing to take?

I want to create a web page from which I can sell my skeins. Now I could do this a relatively easy way, by using one of the myriad services out there, but I want to do it from scratch, and do it my way, so I want to create it using HTML. Obviously that is much harder, more complicated and time consuming. On the other hand, I did just break through my cheapness barrier and bought a small book that clearly describes how to create a very simple site a lot like what I would like to have. So I can use that. I have done a bit of it. I have figured out how to post photos to a web site (though not yet to this blog thing), and even how to create a link on the photo that goes to an enlargement. That is very good and cool and I feel very proud of myself. But now I have kind of stopped there. I need to keep going and get to the nitty-gritty stuff like how to organize the page. Maybe the reason I am having trouble staying motivated is that I find that part kind of boring. Well, it shouldn’t be too hard, I should be able to do it. Oh, I also am realizing that I have no idea what I want to say on my web page about my stuff. I went for a walk earlier today, and managed to write some ideas about that, so I’m hoping it will help me move along.

I want to be able to go to craft fairs to sell my stuff. I have been putting some effort into this over the summer (which, BTW, is when my job is on hold, so I actually have time. That time will soon drain from me and I will become my usual frenetic overstretched self which is worrisome). I made a table, I bought one of those E-Z UP tents for craft fairs, I made a lovely rack for holding skeins. I looked into buying “clamshells” which are those plastic deli containers good for selling angora fiber. I got kind of stymied there. It seemed like kind of a big deal to order a package of 250 of the damn things when I really don’t know which ones would be best. I wish I could find a source of more like 25. I suppose I could go ask my local deli if they might sell me a few; I feel too shy to do that… I have also looked into buying some manikin heads to use for displaying knit hats. I found tons on eBay, but I’ve never bought anything on eBay and it makes me nervous (I’m starting to sound pretty neurotic here, sorry). And besides that, the shipping costs are pretty high. I wish I could find a local source. One woman at a fair that I asked said she found a bunch at her local Salvation Army. Lucky find!

OK, but biggest hurdle on this side of the equation, is that I really must get signed up for some fairs. They usually sign up quite far in advance. I have a form for a fair that takes place in late Sept. I just have to FILL IT OUT!!!! Why is this so hard?? Well, they want details of what I will sell and prices and stuff like that which means I need to really think about all that. Another big step, and probably one that should take priority, since if I don’t have any fairs scheduled, there’s no point in having racks and all that. So I will have to bite the bullet, gird my loins, and all like that and just fill out the d*** thing.

I have my work cut out for me. Since I am in the Berkshires right now, and not at home, I will fill out the form tomorrow when I get home (I’ll report back) and now I’ll continue work on the web site. Which brings up another thought that I will pursue tomorrow: a friend suggested that I try selling stuff on eBay (here comes the eBay phobia again…) It does seem like a good idea and I should at the very least explore the idea of it.

In The Beginning....

OK world, I have officially started a blog. The purpose (besides random rantings) is to document, discuss, describe and detail my experiences with creating a web page. The purpose of the web page is to display my creative endeavors in the fiber world – more specifically my adorable bunnies, my skeins (and skeins and more skeins) of yarn, and my hats. Also maybe batts of blended fibers, though at the moment, any batts I make I spin. And the purpose of the display, the real and true purpose for all this, is to sell things. You see, there is a base, greedy intention behind it all. As in life, it all comes down to one thing (one thing with many names): Money. Filthy Lucre. Big Bucks. Green. Only, for me I do not think it is so much greed that drives me. I think it is more reassurance. A need to justify all the time I spend doing this stuff. All this spinning, all this knitting, all this blending of fibers, all this rabbit care… what the hell is it for? Well, if I can make money at it, then it has a purpose, it has a use, a value beyond just what I like to do. Sorry if this all sounds lame, and sorry to spill it all on this blog, but after all, that is the purpose of the blog.

So I have decided that I want to sell my creations. I do not need to make a living at this, thank God (or should I be cool and new age-ish and say “thank the Goddess”?). I have a job, albeit part time (20 hours per week) and part year (9 months). And more crucially I have a husband with a “real” (as in “paid a decent wage and with benefits”) job. So I do not need to pay the mortgage, or even feed myself or my family with the proceeds from my creative endeavors. I just want to do it. Maybe I want to spread the beauty I create across the world, though if that was my only desire, I could simply give the stuff away. I want to justify what I do by having others value it enough to buy it. To spend their own hard-earned money to obtain what I have created.

That is my purpose and that is enough for today. I will get to the nitty-gritties of the web site later. Now I am going to card wool.