001. I Can't Believe I Finally Opened an Etsy Shop!

 This is what I truly love to do.

I opened an Etsy shop. I dream of a day that I can leave my day job to paint, write, take photos and do yoga all while being able to support myself doing so. Until then, I work as a grant writer for a domestic violence agency. I recently made the switch from a case manager due to the emotional toll the position was taking on me. I feel less emotionally drained, but not stimulated.

Anyway...back to my Etsy shop. I have always enjoyed doing art, but never have considered myself an artist. I enjoy being creative. Let's go back to 2010, I had recently ended my long term relationship with my previous partner. I started to discover parts of myself that were long forgotten and unexplored. My sister Jamie and my current partner and then close friend, James were very supportive of my creativity when I started my new venture. Jamie and James would either paint with me or encourage me to do so. When James and I started dating in 2011, he purchased an easel, paints and canvases for me. He could see that I loved to create, even though I was still not sure it was something I wanted to do.

James would randomly ask, "Did you paint today?" I used to (and still do) get frustrated. I knew that I wanted to paint, but I didn't push myself to do so. I would rather spend countless hours on Facebook, Instagram, Etsy, Pinterest, and so on and so on, living vicariously through others whom were creating and doing beautiful things. I finally decided in 2013 to open an Etsy shop.

It took me weeks of logging on and feeling defeated when it came to naming the shop, taking photos of my paintings and creating the actual listings. I finally buckled down and am happy that I did. I have sold about 9 paintings and one banner, which I feel is a huge accomplishment for me. You can visit my Etsy shop here. <3

I look forward to this part of my journey. 

xo