The Full time job, the Kiddo, and crafting...

So I am just curious, about who else has lots to do!?! I have been working a full time job for about a year now. The benefits are great but I have hardly any time for my family and for crafting. It really sucks when your so used to being able to stay home and tend the kid and spend more relaxing time on your projects. Now I feel the pressure to create (the Pressure!!) and I feel like its draining at my natural need to create things that are one of a kind. I have good insurance through my job but is it really worth it? I love the people I work with but unfortunatly it hits none of my creative valves as hard as I'd like. One the up side of this, is I have a constant flow of cash that keeps me from selling my goods at slave wages to make the rent and or get something to eat. I have always been one to travel but now I am attached to this job that needs me there everyday. On the plus side I've been saving a little money, but it just seems the more you have the more shit you gotta put up with, so the money often times gets drained into the car, the doctor, or the *surprizes* of being a working woman. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY JOB. But I love crafting and my family ALOT more. So I have been thinking about quitting, taking some time to travel and gather some materials for my craft and I'm hoping it will all be OK. Anyone else have any stories to tell? I know its hard to do, but as is I am stretched too far to be doing this for much longer.
~Jen

 

I've contemplated that myself, and I'm not even there yet. Ahah. I'm trying to figure it out at 16.

I can understand that would be a lot on your plate... But if you've got to support a kiddo and you need your crafting too... Maybe you could find a part time job instead? As long as you have enough to get by, just do what you feel like.

 

Crafting is my job. I don't have any kids yet, but I have a lot of animals to support. I don't know what I'll do when I have kids to feed.

I can understand how hard it must be for you. I do garden maintenence in the summer for quite a few people. I earn a lot and save for winter when I don't make as much. I figure when I have kids I can work my schedule around them. I may not be around as much in the summer but they can be with me while I work in the winter.

There is something to be said for a guaranteed paycheck though, especially when others depend on you. Insurance is something I'd like to have too.

 

i hear you. i work full time, i don't really have a choice in the matter. sometimes it really sucks when i don't have energy left to paint or do anything else, but not only do we need the money, we really need the insurance. my daughter and i both have health issues that we would be totally screwed without insurance, and i carry it for the rest of the family too. so i just have to grin and bear it...

 

Well I work from home. My full time job is sewing and crafting, but it comes second to volunteering at my girls school and doing things with them (lately that would be guitar lessons and art lessons).

I don't make a living at what I do, so it's good that my husband has a full time job (he counts money for a living...go figure). Most likely I will not ever get a "real" job again because I want to make my online store my real job.

I honestly can't say I have a hard time finding time to sew and crochet, becuase I do that all day while my girls are at school and on the weekend in the evenings after they are in bed.

For those who wish to make crafting their full time job... keep striving for it, because it will happen for you and you'll be so happy when that day comes. I respect those mamas and papas out there immensly for having to work in the corporate world to survive. It's hard work, but it's neccessary sometimes.

 

I feel you too. I've not had any time lately, between leaving the house @ 6:30-7:30 in the morning to get to school and then leaving straight from school to go to work until 1:30am!!!!

Fortunately, I have some free time at work to complete homework and such (for now at least), but my weekends are tied up working around the house... I've not made anything lately. But the future is in site, once I graduate (still deciding whether to kill myself and gradute in a years (6 semesters total) or get an education minor and take it a bit easier and finish in 8 semesters total.

 

I am a subsitute teacher this year, which means some weeks I work 5 days, some weeks I don't work at all. Anyway, it is tough to find time to do laundry and cook, let alone spend time on my sewing and beading. Lately, all the crafty stuff I have done has been for girl scouts. It's not nearly as fun as making the things that I like. I can't complain too much. Next year, I will be working full time again, so I should be enjoying the free time that I do have. :~

 

i feel the emptiness daily in my job...i work a 40 hr work week in a fancy dental office for rich people..i love my co workers and i like to help people..but i have no time to sew ... it makes me sad...i am by no means passionate about dental assisting.and it doesn't touch my life in a meaningful way..i am thinking about quiting and going to fashion design school

 

You should check it out! Or you could check around town for a class that deals with costume design. I just found one in my area at the local public college. Geez, I havent been to school in a loong time, not sure if its worth it but maybe give it a shot?