Why I Quit Etsy

I decided to close my Etsy shop two weeks ago. It's half because I'm having a baby and won't have time to ship things--and it's half because Etsy's new policies. Since their big switch in January, I have personally found them very small business unfriendly. But that's besides the point. Etsy can do what they want with their business, but their new rules have caused a lot of grief in the micro-business sphere.

I first thought of closing my shop because selling locally worked out really well for me. In 5 months of selling through last fall and winter--I sold almost everything! This, as you can imagine, felt great. I definitely will be selling locally next fall for sure.

Maybe one day I'll reopen my Etsy shop. Right now I am fine selling my patterns on Raverly and selling my handmade goods in my own town.

And I am sad to leave. I mean, running an Etsy shop was one of my dreams, and also the main reason I started my blog. It's funny when things run their course and new desires, like selling my stuff locally, appear and take up all my time!

The Third Trimester

Well, I hit the third trimester two weeks ago. So far it hasn't really been that different then the second. But some things have been...interesting.

For example, last week I peed on myself. Before you get all grossed out, it wasn't that bad. I'd been sitting down filming for about 2 hours (a crochet tutorial) when I realized that I hadn't peed recently, and I'd been drinking a ton of water from my glass bottle. I stood up and suddenly knew that I had to go...now. Like right now. My bathroom is only 2 seconds (like 10 steps) away from me. I ran, but still manged to pee a bit on myself. Sigh. It wasn't my finest moment. I don't even know why I am telling the internet about it. I suppose because it is new. I hope it never happens again. I have a feeling it will through--just from reading and hearing about other people's third trimester experiences...

Rolling over in bed has taken on new meaning to me. And to my husband. Poor husband. Not only am I growing a planet, I also feel 0% interested in snuggling. My husband's love language is pretty much...snuggling. That, and bacon, and please-do-not-knit while watching TV. He's been a good sport snuggling with my back while I complain about how...planetary I feel.

I can't put on socks very well. At least not standing up. I miss doing things standing up.

Anyway, this baby is growing, and most of his time is spent being very interested in the sides of my uterus of late. I am very interested in cake, and I don't know if those two things correlate, but I'm sure they do somehow. I have now gained 20 pounds at this point. It's not "a lot" but it sure feels that way. I have kept up (mostly) with walking and doing Pilates, but I have stopped swimming because my husband has been working long hours (that's my excuse at least). We pool in the evening, so I of course don't go without him.

bending is hard too

Also, I finally bought a bunch of things for the baby. I am really excited about using them, and less excited about washing them. Priorities.

Right now my only wish is that I could strap the exercise ball to my butt because it's amazing and I must sit on it all the time.

Oh--one more thing. My boobs shrunk.Yes, you heard me. They shrunk. I have no idea why, or if this is bad, or if they will grow again or what is going on, but I'm wearing a D cup and it's big on me. Three weeks ago I was having a hard time with my 36DD and there was spillage everywhere.  This is nice, on one hand, because a lot more of my clothing fits better-- but it's weird. I just got used to them and they decided to go away. I guess they got all ready and realized there was three more months so they better wait it out like the rest of us? Maybe they are taking a breather? Boobs, please come back. I will need you soon.

Maternity Skirt

I bought this fun triangle fabric to make a maternity skirt in, and as you can see I did. Only, I can't figure out how to make the seam where I sewed the gathered skirt to the waistband from oddly poking out due to the bulkiness of the gathered fabric. How do I make it lie flat? It is a mystery. But I can still wear this skirt just fine, it's just...a little odd looking in the waist area and I was quite disappointed that it wasn't perfect. I think I may have gathered it too much, or perhaps I need a serger to serge the seam flat. (anyone know?) Anyway, this skirt is awesome regardless, so I'm happy.

I really like the fun print. Working with jersey fabric is a bit more forgiving then with traditional cotton, I think. I did film a tutorial that you can see below on how I made this, if you are interested. It was fun to film, I really love making videos. And skirts. And things with yarn.

Click here to see the video on my youtube channel, or press play below. Happy sewing!