Friday, March 11, 2011

Biggest News

So, the time has finally come to break my biggest news yet! Drum roll please!

As many of you may know I have been an educator for the past 6 years. First in the middle school band setting and then in 1st grade general education. I love kids and I'm a pretty good teacher but the work is stressful and there's always more to teaching than just teaching. Then in November of 2008 I launched Vivid Creation Fibers. At first VCF was pretty small and I mostly just carried stuff online but then it began to expand and I started selling at a local yarn shop and doing festivals. And in 2010 I started the Eastern European and Russian Orphanages Project. I thought the charity would just be a little Ravelry group for me and maybe a few people who stumbled upon it but in less than a year we had over 100 members. Most recently, in October of 2010 I started grad school full time. So for the past 8 months I've been working full time, going to school full time, running an expanding independent dye company, and organizing an international charity. To say I've been busy is an understatement. It didn't really surprise me all that much when I began to wonder about some of the commitments I'd made and began to reassess where my priorities were. Which has lead me to make a decision.

At the end of this school year (first part of June) I will be leaving my full time teaching gig to focus on my company, the charity, and grad school.

I'm super excited but also a bit nervous, as anyone would be I suppose, about stepping out on my own. This opportunity will allow me to focus more on traveling and doing festivals (I think I'm already signed up for 8 this year) and on getting 501(c)3 status for EEROP. Plus I won't have to worry about staying up late and trying to type up an assignment for class just hours before it's due. I'm hoping and praying that Vivid Creation Fibers will really take off so I don't have to get a part time job but that is still a possibility. Right now I have lots of friends who are willing to utilize my baby-sitting skills and I'm also not above cleaning a house or two for some cash so maybe I can get enough of those side jobs to make it work. We'll see. A lot of it is left up to faith but I truly believe I'm doing what I'm called to. This month has already been really good to VCF and to EEROP and it's not even half over yet!

I appreciate all the support that you as my readers have given me and I look forward to being able to keep in touch and network with you even more in the upcoming months. Until then it's a countdown to June!
A picture of me at the Southeastern Animal and Fiber Festival (SAFF) last year. So ready to start the festival circuit this year!

9 comments:

Dove Familie said...

So very excited for you and this big decision. Praying God's blessings on you as you set out on an exciting & scary new season of life.

And if anyone needs a referral/recommendation for your babysitting services, tell them to call me. We were just talking last night about how wonderful it is to have someone we can trust and who is so great with our kids :)

Jenn

Jolie said...

Congratulations! Sometimes leaving the old chrysalis behind is one of the hardest things about becoming who you are meant to be. All the best wishes to you!

Deanna said...

Yay!!!

Unknown said...

Good luck! I'm praying for you! If you need help, let me know!! Especially if you're doing any fiber festivals or craft fairs near my area. I'll certainly help (wo)man your booth if you need.

Diane a/k/a Peachy Queen said...

Wow! That is big news. Congratulations on following your dreams! I wish you much happiness and success!

Caryn said...

Congratulations! How exciting for you!

DragonsChest said...

How completely exciting!!! And the fact that you are taking the plunge, the risk, that you're not afraid to TRY, (okay, you are probably scared poopless), but nevertheless, you are doing it -- that is the best thing of all. You'll never look back and be sorry you at least tried. (my own side business closed after three years, but I hold my head up high - I attempted it and had fun doing it.)

Anyhoo, so sorry this is long, but I'm really very happy for you. What an adventure. Much success to you, and happiness while doing it.

Suzy

DragonsChest said...

Dang it, I had a really long post here, very inspirational and all that jazz, then when I tried to send it, it got eaten. Nevermind, it was too long anyway.

Short story: Congrats!!! Go you, and much success! You'll never regret having had the courage to just go for it. :)

Suzy

Lynn said...

Good for you!!!!! Yes it is scary but I think you will do great! Love that pic as well.