Hey, look up there – it’s a new tag-line!
(If you’re reading this in your feed-reader, pop on over to the blog to find out what the hell I’m on about.)
It came to me as I was trying to get to sleep last night – as many good ideas do – and I managed to stop myself from leaping up and hopping straight onto the computer.
I realised it sums up what I’m on about perfectly.
I’m a professional crafter and creative, sure, but I’m also a career renegade, living an unconventional life, and I’m using my passions to create the income I need to fund this, frankly, amazing life that I’ve managed to create.
I’ve realised that not only my business – Â but also my whole life – is DIY.
I’m not following any traditional path (although I started out on the treadmill of school/uni/work -Â lots and lots of uni…).
I’m learning as I go. I make mistakes. I fall down. But mostly – mostly – I do okay, and sometimes, I even shine.
And it got me thinking… maybe I should talk about all of these things a little more, because maybe you want to break out of the normal – maybe you want to craft your own DIY life, too.
Perhaps, if I share my lessons along the way, we can figure it out together?
Because this is more than a craft blog, Â or a vintage style blog, or a crafty biz blog. It’s about all of those things and much, much more – in the end, it’s about all of the elements that make up my own DIY Life.
Do you have this dream? (I know some of you do – you’ve told me.)
To live life by your own terms, in your own ways? Even if it means some people won’t understand?
Even if it means giving up things that you’ve been taught by society that you need? (Do you? Really?)
 It could just be little things – little ways you want to live differently (but, just quietly, it could be big, scary, life-shaking-up-a-ble ways that you want to change, too).
I’ll share my dreams with you. Will you share yours with me?
***
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P.S. My review of a somewhat awesome book on this very topic will be up later tonight…
Image from Apartment Therapy via Pinterest.
Yess Jess!
This is so inspiring. I love that you aren’t selfish with your knowledge. You’re an encourager, a craft-inspirer, a vintage-goodness-explosion!
You are just flat out amazing Jess. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your awesomeness!
My dream….to teach art. I’ve always wanted to do it, art has always been my passion, but no-one ever really understood that. I think they just picture the starving artist doing caricatures for pennies. But I was recently offered a great opportunity to teach art classes online! I’ve grabbed it with both hands and if all goes to plan this will just be a stepping stone the bigger dream – my own art studio with actual students, not just avatars on a screen lol
Lita – that’s fabulous! Stepping stones are a very handy thing…
Ahh Jess so true, you are a wise young owl :o) my life is definitely DIY haha, I like that alot. xxo
I have a dream to give up the 9-5 office grind… but I have no idea how to do it and crucially, no idea what my ULTIMATE dream life looks like. I continue to look for my passion and inspiration always!
Sarah – going full-time for me was kinda a happy accident… but it took LOTS of work to get to where I am now, and I’m still far away from where I’d like to be!
I think following your passion and intuition is the way forward – keep going and you may not even realise you’ve found your dream until you’re living it!
OH baby…I had my big shake up a couple of months ago and so glad I did. Heck we only get one life…so why not make it amazing? Great post.
Lita…I have no doubt at all girlie that you will get your dream…just remember me when you are famous okay? x
Fee – so glad to hear it! Sounds like it was the right time for you 🙂
I’m so with you! The traditional path just made me miserable so I’ve given up most of it and am working on creating a better life by doing the things I love – art, crafts, writing, history….(I’ll be looking at your vlog next, the book you reviewed sounds just like me). The trick to it all is to generate enough income to pay the bills. I’ve been happily surprised so far and will get to the amazing life in time I hope!
Terri – once we dig in deep and let our passion push us along, it’s amazing what we can achieve… and the money really does start to flow. I’m a big advocate of multiple income streams – and working on multiple passions at once!
Perhaps my jewellery is selling slowly toda… but my zine is selling like hotcakes! The more income streams you can create (without running yourself into the ground) the better 🙂
Jess, I’m so excited about your willingness to share your journey, ups and downs. I have not had a conventional path either – I was blessed to find a work from home design job 9 years ago and it has taught me so much in regards to how I would work on my own and run my business but, I have yet to take the leap to being “my own thing”. I depend on that income to keep my family afloat and am so worried about not having that BUT at the same time I know my dreams are big enough to fly if I only let them!
Kristen – sounds like you’ve been on the path to being the mistress of your own life for a while now!
My question would be – do you still love what you do? Are there directions you would take it if it was your own thing? Could you do the design work and all the admin and marketing on top of that and still have the time you need for your family? Can you start your own design business ‘on the side’ now and build up a portfolio/client base?
I could ask eleventy-billion more questions, but that will do for starters 🙂 Go you!
Hi Jess. I’m one of those that you mistakenly sent your E D newsletter to and I’m wondering if perhaps it may have been fate and timely, coz I’m thinking that the lessons you share here may be helpful in some way. I know I do have dreams of leading that creatively-unconventional-DIY-exciting life, but right now feel as though(and like you, this came to me while trying to get to sleep last night!) I’ve lost my way big time. I’ve always thought that I’ve lived by the notion that you’re never “too old”, but lately(now in my mid 50’s) and looking at all you “young things” out there(does that age me?! ;-)), I’m feeling that I’ve well and truly missed that proverbial boat! Groan……..
Maybe reading about your ups and downs, and lessons etc will help to give me an inkling about how to jump back onto that path.
Loving your banner and tag line! x
Hi Pam – well, thanks for sticking with me, I’m glad! 🙂
I know I’m only talking from my 30-year-old standpoint… but I don’t think it’s ever too late!
Then again, I don’t ever plan to ‘retire’ – I hope I’m still working at my passions till the day I die (I can only hope I am so lucky – and that I live to a nice old age).
If what I share can help and inspire you, Pam, I will be one happy lady. Make sure to come back and tell me how you’re going!
Just before reading your latest update and the comments, I was sitting here in tears telling my partner that I am considering resigning from a Digi Scrapping Creative Team. “Why?” he asked …. “Cause I should be doing more ‘real’ work” I say. Needless to say he said that I was sending like my ex-husband and to stop feeling guilty. Then I opened your Epherial Designs email and it reminded me why I am a struggling single mum … cause I want to “Do IT myself” whatever ‘Ãt’ may be. Thank You Jess.
Grace – sounds like you’re onto a winner with that one 🙂 And GOOD on you for sticking to your dreams for your life – especially with the responsibilities you have. x
Yes! Yes! Yes! I’ve been in such a rut lately. After some major things happening in my life this year I have decided that I have had enough of working at the job I hate. Yes, it pays decently & we need the money to get by but I want out of there! I’ve been stuck there for way too long out of fear of the unknown. I want a job where I can b creative, where I can spend time with my husband & children. I don’ mind working hard if it’s at something I enjoy. I’ve given myself two years to kiss that s***hole I work at goodbye. Now to find what I want to do, rather than what I have to do! Thank you! xx
WOOT! Good on you! The passion is the kick that you need, truly. You CAN find a way out if you work hard enough.
Sounds like you have the beginnings of a plan – that’s fabulous! Work out how much you need to save for your ‘cushion’, start dreaming of what you could be doing, and in 2 years, who knows where you’ll be?
I’ve never worked so hard in my life… but I love it, and that makes all the difference!
My dream is to draw that children’s book!! I’ve also been trying to live a simple and fulfilling life that is not entirely based around money and career. This will mean I can’t tell my parents I got a pay rise or that I’m going to be a home owner anytime soon. So far I’m contented with my choices..and I just have to remind myself every so often why I’m living it. I want to keep on drawing and creating with my two hands..hopefully that book will appear soon:)
Helena – I can’t wait to see your book! I know it will happen soon 😉
YES, I’m slowly handcrafting my life, one bit at a time, and learning alot from others, including youself, on how best to do it.
No, it hasn’t been easy, with many unexpectant twists & turns along the way, and little support, even from family & friends due to misconceptions. I think they think it’s the easier option, that it’s a cop-out in terms of work. Little do they realise that that’s far from the truth. Although I find much enjoyment from what I do, especially when I hear positive feedback from customers & others, it’s sometimes, esepcially to bring with, a hard slog to generate & maintain customers, and sometimes enough belief in yourself to keep going alone.
But I’m not one to easily give up, I’m confident that eventually things will work out… 🙂
♥ Suzie
P.S. Thanks for all the encouragement that you so freely give! One HUGE benifit of the internet…
Suzie – it IS a hard slog! Like I said to @little love – I’ve never worked so hard in my life!!
But when you’re working for yourself – on something you love – the passion is the natural motivator that keeps you in the flow.
It’s not easy, and it’s a never-ending job… but ‘doing it for yourself’ has infinite rewards.
Every time I sell something, my heart soars that little bit more, and I remind myself that I’ve done this, I’ve created this (with lots of help and encouragement along the way) and every day is satisfying!
Yes Jess! I hope to one day share a similar DIY life dream too!
Also, that colour of the jacket looks fab on you! x
My current dream is a bigger house and yard… which we may be buying on Saturday! (but I’ll see what the auction holds 😉 lol)
I want to find my niche and be happy just creating. There is so much to learn and it’s a fun journey 🙂
Our life is very much DIY, always has been, you should see my DH’s shed lol He’s made the kid’s beds, playground, deck, my kitchen, pretty much everything you see on our property he’s either made it from scratch himself or had a hand in it…. my job is to add the ‘home’ to the house… artwork, design, *cough* clutter, that sort of thing 😉 If we can make it ourselves, we will have a go.
Good on you Jess! You are living exactly the life I have designed in my head yet always too scared to actually get on and just do it. Thank you for your inspiration – I’m one step closer to getting where I want (need) to be.