And The Conclusion Is?

Hi friends!

I have spent a lot of time and mental energy over the past couple of months evaluating my life, my priorities, my to-do lists and everything in between. Along the way, I was faced with questions about my plans for digital scrapbooking. Most specifically, my plans for continuing (or not continuing) as a designer.

I have attempted to take breaks here and there while re-aligning other areas of my life. Every time though I've been brought back to designing. I absolutely love being creative. My house is full of DIY goodies and plans for more to come are in the near future. I make simple, fun art prints to sell on Etsy as the inspiration flows (or someone requests a custom print). Well, designing digital scrapbook supplies has been an awesome outlet for that creativity as well. In the midst of learning the basics, exploring ideas, and pursuing better quality items, I ran with the thought of having my stuff in a store. What fun to have my little designs out there for anyone and everyone who would like to have them! ...for a price.

Admittedly, I have the hardest time putting a price on something that I've created. I tried to price items at whatever seemed reasonable in light of what others were charging. I found that even though it's cool to see people buying your products, I had so much more fun giving them away. Which may be why I like blog trains so much! I really do enjoy creating and seeing the outcome of that creativity. Yet it seems like such a waste to then go set those creations in a corner somewhere and limit people enjoying them as much as I do by putting a price on them. With that said, I know artists, designers, etc. need to make a living and their hard work, energy, time justifies a price. For me, however, this is just fun. I'm not making a living at it nor do I plan to.

Back to examining my life. As I laid out my priorities, my time management, my plans for the future, I noticed that designing has to take a back seat. I announced last month that I would be leaving it behind for an undetermined amount of time. In doing this, it freed me from feeling obligated to create things to sell (even if it was just me putting those obligations on myself). It freed me from feeling like I have to perform to some standard or specific style in what I create. I just wanted to have fun and share the fun!

I had to thoroughly examine why I was designing and selling in the first place. Am I trying to make extra money? Do I want to design full-time? Am I obsessed with this hobby? The answers were no (and slightly yes, lol!). Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that I simply enjoy making digital scrapbooking stuff and I equally enjoy giving it away to people.

So after much self-examination, prayer and prioritizing, I've decided that the undetermined amount of time has been determined. Though brief as the semi-hiatus may have been, much came out of it. And the conclusion is...

I will no longer be selling my items in a digital scrapbooking store. I truly appreciate the opportunity that Simply Love Scrapbooking has given me, but it is just not an avenue I would like to continue to pursue. All current stock will remain in the store through the end of June.

I will continue to participate in blog trains, designer challenges and any other fun tidbits that come along AS TIME ALLOWS. Along with determining what to keep in my long list of life duties, I've also re-worked my schedule and time management is of utmost importance.

I will run with any inspiration that hits to create anything that comes to mind. How broad an objective is that? lol! So you can look out for kits, mini kits, personal or commercial use items, random packs of elements, templates, alphas, printables, etc. I don't want to be limited and it's so much fun being random!

I've also considered accepting donations. But will have to think on that one a little longer.

So what do you think? It sounds like win-win to me. If you've read this far, btw, I am impressed. My life is really not that exciting but I love to share it anyway. :)

To kick off my newfound approach to designing and keeping it fun and creative, here is a cute little mini kit for you that was inspired by Pixelscrapper's latest designer challenge.

Download Part 2 via

Mediafire

4Shared

This is actually part 2 and was an add-on to the original challenge. If you haven't picked up part 1 already, you can get it here. After you've gathered both parts, you'll have this Better Together kit to enjoy!

As always, QC'd and ready to go for your fun printable and digital projects. Thanks for hanging out with me and enjoy your freebies!

♥ Mandy