Thinking Outside The Box

We are coming up on 1 year since I was let go of my job. 

It has been the roughest and sweetest year of my marriage so far. 

Matt and I have grown so much closer and we are so much stronger.

He has really stood up and took the reigns to make our life work. 

He now has a new full time job, which he loves, as well as a part-time job. 

And me? 

I have to think outside of the box. 

When I was let go, we put pen to paper and realized that it would cost us more money for me to work outside of the home than I would bring home. 

So, I began my life as a stay-at-home-mom 

(which has actually been a dream of ours from the get go).

However, we still need 2 incomes (even if mine is minimal).

There are mouths to feed and bills to pay and a rather large hole to dig out of

 from when I first lost my job.

My photography has been a great creative outlet for me and much needed 

extra income for our family.

But I needed something else too. 

For so many reasons. 

1) I missed creating things with my hands. 

2) In the Midwest here, there is a rather large "dead season" for photographers 

who do not use a studio.

3) I wanted to begin to pay it forward because so many people have helped us this past year. 

4) And because my diet requires a larger than most grocery bill.

So I opened an etsy shop a few months ago. 

rock paper sugar shop

I love every second of creating handmade items for people. 

I usually start with things I would make myself, like these head scarves.

During daylight hours I have to have my head covered because of my Lupus 

so I started creating reversible head scarves for myself because I didn't like bandana fabric.

I got a lot of fun compliments so I started making them for the shop!

 And hoops are just plain fun, don't ya think? 

Nothin' but happy.

I wear my embroidered and scrappy pendants all the time. 

So fun and happy!

I'm working on new designs and items to list all the time. 

It's moving a little slowly being a mom of 2 boys but it has become a 

huge passion of mine. 

And just this month I announced that 10% of each month's sales will go to a charity. 

Different charity each month!

Does my family need every penny that I make in sales?

Yes.

Do I believe wholeheartedly that if I give away, God will provide what else is needed?

Absolutely.

 I have faith.

I have to.

And because it's almost Halloween, enter discount code HALLOWEEN for $5 off any purchase of $10 or more through 10/27!

Here's to thinking outside the box.

To creating.

To supporting handmade.

And to living your passions!

Oh happy day!