When the first tiny, intrusive thoughts about moving beyond pink rose everything flooded my mind nearly three years ago I initially felt my own brain was failing me. As hard as it was to accept, the simple fact was that shabby cottage chic decor was morphing into something new and I could either dig my heels in and stay the same or move on.
I knew it was time to move on.
And so...I made a tough decision to par down the pink roses and forge ahead in a new direction.
Not all my customers have embraced the change, but for me it's been the right thing to do. I've pressed onward and I'm so glad I did. As the demand and love for pink rose confections dwindled, in order for my business to survive I had to refocus on traveling down a new and unfamiliar path.
It was really hard at first and for a least a year I felt like I was living in limbo...
I had piles of pink rose fabrics everywhere and stacks of both new and vintage items freshly base painted in soft pink paint. The thought of selling it all off overwhelmed me and so there it all sat, untouched, for a long, long time.
I think I tried to pretend it wasn't there. I tried to work around it, but with limited space I only grew frustrated at trying to make new supplies fit.
After my slip and fall from several weeks ago I began to embrace my own truth. The injury helped me realize that I only have one life and I best make the most of it while I still can. And so, I cleared out my studio, all the while knowing I was going to take a big loss on my previous investment of supplies.
Clearing out my studio also helped me clear out my head.
I feel at peace.
Currently I have twelve bins (yes, I said TWELVE) filled with fabric in storage. At some point (who knows when!) I'll either sell it off in lots on eBay or donate it to one of our local charities.
As I've worked to adjust my footing in the business world I've also tried to re-prioritize other areas in my life. Although the month of July brought heavy news to my family, it also ushered in the best single non-holiday month I've ever experienced in my business. I'm not too sure what all this means at the moment, I only can tell you that I'm trusting God with my future.
Both privately and in the world of business.
It feels good to be honest about where I am and how I feel...
It feels good to say "I'm done with that and I'm moving on..."
It feels good to know that change is OK and the Grace of my Father covers me always.
Hope you are well.
A fresh new Harvest is coming. I feel it.
Love to you~
25 comments:
What! No pink roses! My world is filled with them! But sometimes a change is needed and you always create such beautiful things, so it will be fabulous with or without pink roses. I'm keeping the pink roses though. LOL!
Cathy ♥
I've also felt the same way, kickin' and screamin' against th' pricks of life, sugar. But I just hiked up my panties and am giving it all I've got. I'm very blessed from a Heavenly Father who watches over me no matter what...and my kids, grandkids and great grandgirls also. Ain't life grand?! Ooooh, and that fabric? Do like I did, donate it to the local thrift store and get a tax write off. It felt so "freeing" to do that.
xoxo,
Connie....living th' good life!
Hi Rebecca! I love the new direction you are going in! My tastes have changed too over the last couple years. I love the hanging pieces you have shown in this post! Will you be bringing them to your shoppe? Everytime I look at the sweet bunny pillow I bought from you, I smile! And I love that it is white :)
Hugs,
Amy
Good for you- I feel like I morphed a few years ago into a different type of life (style) and I may be readjusting again. It is what we do-the only constant I have found in life is that God never changes...thank Goodness!!!
I KNOW your business will thrive, Rebecca, because you have the spirit of a survivor and you are smart. You are also tremendously talented and you can redirect that talent in a whole new direction.
God bless you and your hubby- xo Diana
Hello Rebecca... although I will always love your pink roses, of which I own many, I love your new direction too... so soothing and calming... miss you my friend... hope all is getting better each day, xoxo Julie Marie
Hi Rebecca,
I was just thinking about this same thing. My tastes have evolved and I've gone in another direction as well, reluctantly so but nevertheless if I wanted my booth to be a success I knew I had to move forward.
I too have always been a lover of pink and florals and all things shabby chic, but now it's more burlap, creams and whites.
Who knows what it will be in the next two or three years. We might find ourselves once again making changes.
Your creations will always be beautiful because they reflect you and your kind heart.
I truly believe that we will always be a success if we follow our bliss.
hugs
Sissie
I've been feeling a restlessness in my heart and have had such a hard time trying to sort out what all of it means to me. It's time for me to step back and 'listen.' I know the Lord has something wonderful planned for me but the trust part is not quite there. I'm so happy you found your grace and peace. I am sure you will be overjoyed with happiness. take care.
I was right into the pink rose décor, too. But now have changed to white shabby chic. I have stored all my pink rose china and can't seem to part with it. I am slowly replacing the items in my bedroom from pink to white and cream. I love the lightness of the white.
I am so glad you feel comforted by the God of all comfort. It is not always easy following His leads, but you can be sure it is for your good.
*Hugs*
LadyBug
I was right into the pink rose décor, too. But now have changed to white shabby chic. I have stored all my pink rose china and can't seem to part with it. I am slowly replacing the items in my bedroom from pink to white and cream. I love the lightness of the white.
I am so glad you feel comforted by the God of all comfort. It is not always easy following His leads, but you can be sure it is for your good.
*Hugs*
LadyBug
I have literally sat idle until I feel HIM move me in the direction I should go. It's not that I don't love what I do or the way in which I do it, but something is unsettled within me and until that quiets & gives me peace, I sit. I wait patiently for HIS word to fill my soul with the path I'm to follow. Until then, I remain relatively quiet, still & peaceful. I pray, I take care of business around the house with critters and my hubs and I wait. I for one support your change & in many ways quietly envy the calm you have found in it. Now, if by charity you mean a fellow crafter, by all means, call me charity darling! Have a great day R. Tammy
Good for you for embracing the change. You already know that it was the right thing to do and it sounds like you're having fun with it.
Hey, don't give up roses all together!!! YOu are such a great painter! I have totally given up painting anything pink. My last pink table just sold and I vow not to make anymore because they just don't sell! Glad you are feeling better and business is hopping!
Carol
Sometimes we just need to move in a different direction to keep those creative juices flowing:) Sounds like you made a good move! Have a blessed day dear Rebecca, HUGS!
Rebecca, so good read your posts, I have missed them. I too, am struggling with this change but slowly and surely and I am heading that way too. I am not able to create as much right now because of the remodeling but most new things of mine will reflect the new white, no doubt. I still love the pink and roses but must evolve, albeit kicking and screaming, a moving on I must go. Your new creations are just gorgeous so you will have great success! Glad you are feeling better.
Rebecca, the pink roses customer is still out there, just a lot fewer of them! I have always worked with lots of different colors, but still mix in the pink roses stuff because truly they are my first love. Don't donate that fabric, because there are many (like me) who would like to buy it still...hint hint...:)
Dearest Rebecca, I am so glad to see you blogging again and to know you are feeling better. I am a pink rose girl mixed with mint green and blues, but definitely along with the shabby chic whites and burlap. To me, it can all be put together tastefully, from room to room. Aiken Gardens is a great testimony of that, and she is not going to put her roses away anytime soon! I would definitely be interested in anything with roses on it, if you decide to sell your pinks. As you know, Rebecca, I have a blog called A Place to Gather that I wanted to be a place to show my family, our gatherings, and my crafts, but I have tried to get this blog off the ground since Jan of this year. Each and every time I think I will start over with it, and post some of my handmade treasures, I have been stopped dead in my tracks by my health, a dear friend who needed a place to stay (in my craft room) my daughter and her son needing temporary shelter at my house while qualifying for a rental, my health again, so I am in the same boat. I am not going to move a finger again to get my blog going until I feel a door open that my Heavenly Father opened for me, to go in that direction.It just doesn't work out well, otherwise. But I love the direction that He has taken you. Just wonderful things happen when you are tuned in and listening. I am hoping that by next year, I will be able to participate in "Where Women Create". Hugs to you, Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
I hope all is really well. It seems to have been a hard summer for a lot of us. This has been a very trying summer for my family in more ways than one... I will pray for you, I hope you will pray for me too.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
Always follow your heart it will lead you in the right direction...<3
xx
Anne
Hello dearest Rebecca,
I still like pink and the roses, just not as much as I used to. You have to do what you feel is right. Hope all goes well in your new endeavors.
Love to you,
Debbie
Hi Rebecca,
Life is all about change. I have learned this since my sisters passing and brother illness this summer. This summer there has been a lot of life changes for us in many ways. We will always love and embrace the past. Your business will keep shining because you create from the heart.
Sending hugs, Elizabeth
Oh dear, no matter the color or changes, your wares are breathtaking as you have incredible talent!
Your post spoke to me deeper than what is on the surface of life. Change takes place. Changes deeper than ever imagined. But God is our anchor. Strong and sure...always making it possible to accept changes. I am a funny breed liking and taking comfort in "sameness" and routine. Funny how God likes to stir things up and bring us out of our comfort zone to teach...ever teaching faith and trust...trust and obey. He is however a teacher who can always be trusted with the lessons as He loves us and only wants what is best for us!
Okay I better stop rambling...google is acting up and I just about lost the entire reply! Lol!!
I am praying for your unspoken changes....God bless!
Xoxo Carolyn
This is all such cute vintage stuff! I love it all!!!
beautiful morphing, rebecca:) loved your feature in kerryanne's magazine, too! happy weekend!
It seems whatever you do will be beautiful, it just is that way when you have taste for Beauty. Things come and go and come back again. I just got back into shabby, was doing it in my own way before I knew it had a name. I love Feminine Victorian but in neutrals. I just got into pink last year for the first time ever! :D so am in love with it, painted this house all in various whites, its lovely touches of pink is lovely! And just beginning to sew too and am always looking out for fabrics. I just lost my income and have to find something to make to sell, all I can from home is sew, so I need pretty fabrics, so I could use some if you are being charitable or wanting to sell, please do contact me. Your blog is beautiful, it is one of the first that inspired me so much when I first discovered what was happening in bloglandia. blessings, lady
Wish I could come shopping:)
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