Impressions by Heidi

21 November 2010

Time for Thanksgiving

Filed under: Family — Tags: , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 2:34 pm

So . . .

What are you thankful for?

Thankgiving 2009

Thankgiving 2009

OK, yeah, so it’s a cliché question this time of year but after a rough 2010 and lots of complaining on my part, I decided to work on my attitude this week and focus on what I am thankful for, rather than what irks me.  I invite you to join me.

I am thankful:

  • For my husband.  Yeah, he has that y-chromosome issue going on, like all men, but he’s a good one.  He fell in love with me when I was divorcing, took on the responsibilities for 5 kids when their bio dad wouldn’t, and has put up with the stress, insanity, chaos, and noise of it all.  I know it’s been hard for him, especially lately and I am grateful for his presence and love in my life.
  • My Pop (father) is here to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.  Mesothelioma, surgery, radiation, chemo, and a long recovery that he’s still working through.  It’s been scary.  He got to do some traveling this summer and he’ll be sharing Thanksgiving with us.  If this isn’t a reason to be thankful, what is?
  • My oldest daughter is getting a good education. She earned herself a full scholarship to a good college and is making the most of it.  She has opportunities so many young women don’t get, and she made them for herself. I’m proud of her.
  • For Autumn.  It’s my favorite season.  I love the colors; the cool, fresh air; the clarity of the sky.

And there’s so much more. All my kids. My home. The food I eat. My skills as an artist. The new friends I’m meeting.

Share with me!  What are you thankful for this year?

16 November 2010

Hubby Sees My Business as REAL Work

Filed under: Business, Family — Tags: , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 5:36 pm

My husband always says he wants to see Impressions by Heidi be a hugely successful, full time business — but then usually follows it by his suggestions for all the full time, out of the house jobs I could / should be working, so it usually doesn’t feel very authentic.  Today when he came home for lunch (a surprise in itself) I thought it was going to be more of the same when he commented about his work outside of the house.

But then he asked about my work IN the house.

I was shocked.

I could tell it was hard for him.  It’s a major perspective shift for my hubby to think of what I do as real work that’s worth the time I’m putting in not a mere hobby that I’m spending too much time on.  I could hear the effort in his voice, too, as if he was reminding himself to talk about my artisan work and other household responsibilities as actual work, but he was cheerful, polite and positive about it.  And he was sincere, too.

I didn’t make a big deal about it (he wouldn’t want me to), but it’s a huge deal to me!

Yay for supportive hubbies!

8 October 2010

Is Your Spouse, Significant Other, Supportive of Your Artisan Business?

Filed under: Business, Family — Tags: , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 11:13 pm

Sometimes mine is and sometimes he isn’t.  And I never know which mood he’ll be in.

Like when he offered to stop at the bead store for me.  Supportive.  When he tells me how much he likes my jewelry or even makes suggestions how to work with metals or helps with tools.  Supportive.

When he suggests that the 3 days I spent doing merchandising is more valuable than working my business.  Not supportive.  When he talks about me getting a full time job, which will leave me too tired and with too little time for my jewelry. Not supportive.

And when he deliberately refers to my jewelry work as a hobby (shudder).  Not supportive.

I understand he is worried about having enough money to support the household and my business isn’t really off the ground yet, so he has good reason for concern, but I’d rather he encouraged me than implied it’s a dream.  I know I need to bring money in the house.  I am looking for smaller jobs,  for temp work, and even trying an “assemble at home” company (craft work, of course) that has a good reputation. I wish I had his 100%, unconditional support in working for and building my artisan jewelry business, but at least I know I have his 100% love.

What about you? How does (d0) your spouse / significant other / parents / the important people in your life view your artisan business? Are they supportive or not? Do they let you give it your all or encourage you to take on more “normal” pursuits?

3 October 2010

Weekend is ending. New week is beginning.

Filed under: Business, Family, Random — Tags: , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 11:24 pm

And I’m not particularly looking forward to it.

Why?

To make hubby happy, I took a 4 day work order. I’ll be doing some merchandising — changing out magazines in several stores — and it’s a couple hours away so I’ll ask my mom if I can stay with them for a couple nights, closer to the places I’ll be working. It’ll be nice to see my mom and dad, especially as dad has had a rough year, but overall a boring job and not productive as far as being able to put time into my business.

I’ll probably try to bring a small amount with me to make while I’m there — after a shopping trip tomorrow. And I’ll definitely plan.

Plus, I’ll bring my laptop so at least I’ll have my computer friends! :)

And maybe, just maybe, my New England Crafters kit will come in tomorrow. I’ll bring that with me and get started on my samples if it does. Keep your fingers crossed!

Theme: Shocking Blue Green. Blog at WordPress.com.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.