tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post2966933572959373764..comments2024-01-24T11:28:22.701+00:00Comments on 'So, Zo...': Self-Employment Update: 1 Year in with a FamilyZoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893813529679767893noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-49241688469064803802015-01-10T21:22:47.158+00:002015-01-10T21:22:47.158+00:00I still love your blog the most after all these ye...I still love your blog the most after all these years, and I love how you include Dolores! As I now have a four month old daughter I am so impressed by everything you've managed to do! Being a mum is so time- and energy consuming! don't underestimate yourself, and be proud. I love how your blog is still rooted to the ground and that you keep it running. Mine is hibernating, and I don't want it that way, but it's partly because I don't have the energy for sewing. You are super inspiring! frk.bustadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11905037626664748421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-69589144801312095392014-12-07T09:50:22.446+00:002014-12-07T09:50:22.446+00:00Ah doll you do a tonne and a half and with a babs....Ah doll you do a tonne and a half and with a babs. I'm for any course of action that gives you a solid footing. You're excellent and you'll always be excellent. Here, here to the New Year mwah xxxRehanon Mackenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06254101143980010676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-62795566833954555522014-11-27T08:41:15.570+00:002014-11-27T08:41:15.570+00:00This is really fascinating: thanks so much for pos...This is really fascinating: thanks so much for posting :) And indeed, never feel bad for taking some time to raise your lovely daughterRosie Sparkleneedleshttps://sparkleneedles.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-28577843675592988262014-11-27T08:07:27.693+00:002014-11-27T08:07:27.693+00:00I am in awe of you and everything you have done si...I am in awe of you and everything you have done since having Dolores, you have achieved so much. I love your new work schedule, it sounds very positive. I've only worked part time since E came along and sometimes it has been a struggle finding the balance. Thank you for the update, you are very inspiring! xxJustSewJennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05533629262526878188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-30079191550952677972014-11-27T01:56:10.307+00:002014-11-27T01:56:10.307+00:00Hmm. I think there are maybe two different things ...Hmm. I think there are maybe two different things being conflated: monetising a blog, and blogging while running a business. I don't actually think anyone has a problem with the latter. It's a perfectly normal and reasonable thing to set up a blog which links to your business activities and mention those activities on the blog. It's important to be clear about the link between the blog and the business, but I don't think there's any conflict of interest. And of course your readers will be interested to know about things like your teaching, your pattern and the Craftaganza. No problem at all.<br /><br />The problem I do see people expressing discontent about is monetising a blog. That is, setting up a blog, building a readership and then leveraging that for personal gain, whether by accepting freebies, doing sponsored posts, getting book deals or whatever. Especially when the blogger is not upfront about things like the freebies. I've even seen bloggers using their blogs to fundraise for new sewing machines and so on. It's true that blogging does take time and work, but I don't think anyone owes bloggers money for that. If someone doesn't want to put in the effort to blog, then they don't have to. <br /><br />And personally, I would prefer it if sewing blogs weren't so saturated with promos for the same patterns, fabrics, books and so. I think that has homogenised a lot of the blogs I used to enjoy reading for their individual take on sewing. The promo posts are boring and unhelpful, because they're all the same and no one ever points out problems or flaws. And I would definitely prefer it if the people who get book deals and teaching gigs and draft patterns for sale and so on were those with real skill and experience, rather than just those with lots of hits on their blog.Roshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669423378438380019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-79747618209441341902014-11-27T01:03:17.756+00:002014-11-27T01:03:17.756+00:00As a self employed mum- I know where you're co...As a self employed mum- I know where you're coming from. It gets easier every year. You sound like you're taking the right approach:) ps.... followed that link and found it had David o Doherty clip which is a favourite of mine !!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-59332036726167305822014-11-26T17:57:47.719+00:002014-11-26T17:57:47.719+00:00I also was very surprised at how many people seem ...I also was very surprised at how many people seem to resent sewing bloggers transitioning into business. I started my blog around the same time I started ramping up teaching and offering products online, and while I want the blog to be first and foremost a place for ideas & inspiration, I always intended it to help get my name "out there" as well. I guess I just need to keep in mind being subtle about it! You do a good job of that I've always thought.<br /><br />Good luck with your new system! I've been thinking a lot lately about assigning myself fewer things to do, and how it actually feels better that way.<br /><br />Thanks for the update! French Toast Tashahttp://tashamillergriffith.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-41308310077888512722014-11-26T15:49:55.189+00:002014-11-26T15:49:55.189+00:00Super interesting read, thank you!
Was on your las...Super interesting read, thank you!<br />Was on your last copy your own clothe course at Tilly's and absolutely loved it! Learned so much and cant wait to finish my blouse and tackle tose jeans!! AndreaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296166899902986689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-1675335295039365042014-11-26T14:02:25.043+00:002014-11-26T14:02:25.043+00:00I'm happy to hear that things are going well f...I'm happy to hear that things are going well for you and you and Pat are getting by doing things you like to do. It's a real hustle in the self-employment game, and I say do whatever you have to do, no apologies! <br /><br />p.s. still need to photograph my Dolores top as promised, but it keeps ending up in the wash. Must be good!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-37703538568155091192014-11-26T10:26:29.910+00:002014-11-26T10:26:29.910+00:00I don't resent your blogging flogging at all! ...I don't resent your blogging flogging at all! Certainly you are subtle about it and I never feel as if you are always trying to sell me something and, if I do feel that about somebody's blog, there is always the 'unfollow' button.<br />I was dying to do one of your 'copy your clothes' classes but they are always sold out and it is hard to schedule in advance as I will have to combine it with another reason to visit the U.K. I'll keep my eye on it...tialyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04589595958608901040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-20922361455389799462014-11-26T08:58:12.859+00:002014-11-26T08:58:12.859+00:00A very interesting round up post Zoe. You certainl...A very interesting round up post Zoe. You certainly have a lot on your plate. I work part-time (4 days/wk) and find it hard enough to organise things and get everything done with a wee one around. Like you, I definitely overestimated how much I would be able to do with a baby around :)<br />As for the business/personal blog crossover, I personally don't resent anyone making some cash using their blog, I think many of us would love to do that. I find that some blogs have just shifted in tone to become a way to relentlessly push the blogger's own products which is very dull and so I have unfollowed. You blog about a range of topics plus I liked the way you handled the release of your own pattern and your offer of it to a wide range of bloggers. I hope sales are going well for you.Kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16984301306389767638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-50432537185364982032014-11-26T08:03:51.284+00:002014-11-26T08:03:51.284+00:00You are amazing, that you manage to get so much do...You are amazing, that you manage to get so much done without childcare! I also find it bizarre that some people get so offended when people try to make money off of blogging or doing whatever crafty thing they do. I think that people are so used to getting things for free online (and not only) and the whole cheap sweatshop mentality keeps people from realizing just how much work there is behind handmade items and keeping up a blog, and they don't quite realize that there are real people putting in their time, effort and knowledge and they deserve to get reimbursed for it. This was very interesting, so I thank you for sharing! :) LisaCucicucicoo: Eco Crafting & Sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01747020600308321919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-11363499295504937192014-11-25T20:48:17.170+00:002014-11-25T20:48:17.170+00:00Oh my goodness, you are a wonderful multitasking m...Oh my goodness, you are a wonderful multitasking machine! Many of those things I don't even know *how* to do in a technical sense (design patterns or parent for instance, lol) let alone manage to achieve simultaneously. So here's a virtual high five (and a cuppa!) coming down the line from Edinburgh to the South! Rachel ☺the craftytravellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00122562999314308422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-54549247352007697292014-11-25T20:21:39.469+00:002014-11-25T20:21:39.469+00:00I have two kids, one of whom is a similar age to y...I have two kids, one of whom is a similar age to your daughter, and I'm amazed you can get anything much more than housework during nap times. Mirianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09236111119718805934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-41670477605216573452014-11-25T19:35:47.586+00:002014-11-25T19:35:47.586+00:00It can't be easy balancing multiple gigs, plus...It can't be easy balancing multiple gigs, plus childcare- I struggle to keep my schedule sorted because I'm working multiple part-times right now instead of one full-time, and I don't even have a kid! I hope that it gets easier to balance everything and to deal with your commute. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-91483566970168173252014-11-25T18:00:41.436+00:002014-11-25T18:00:41.436+00:00No matter how much everyone warns you, I don't...No matter how much everyone warns you, I don't think anyone can truly foresee how much energy, time and compromise goes into being a new parent, but particularly for us Mums. Well done for stepping back and re examining your priorities! I also think it's fab seeing bloggers releasing their own patterns and other products, it's great to see all that creativity channelled into such personal products, and if readers don't want to purchase, then surely we're intelligent enough to simply bypass that particular post and move onto the next.<br />Your baby wear range looks fab by the way :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-31773664946971776272014-11-25T17:45:11.433+00:002014-11-25T17:45:11.433+00:00Personally I think it's great to see people ma...Personally I think it's great to see people making money from their interests. It can be very difficult juggling the whole work-life-balance thing, especially when you are sleep deprived and I think if you can get something that works for the family, then that's great. It maybe makes it a slightly different style of blog (ie. maybe less lifestyle & more business)but so what, we all have individual taste and choices. I gave up full time employment when my youngest was born (now 12) and became self-employed (mostly working from home) One thing I will say is it can be very easy to get distracted (housework, other family demands etc) so it's good to try and have a weekly plan of things you want to achieve. Good luck with it all anyway.<br />PS Haven't tried your pattern yet, but it's on the list. stitchynotionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05405050197264810038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464662522153586853.post-88765224558927814462014-11-25T17:43:05.709+00:002014-11-25T17:43:05.709+00:00Ha ha, I love that apologies post! Why do people d...Ha ha, I love that apologies post! Why do people do that? Keep doing what you need to do for yourself and your family and I shall always welcome new posts from you when you've got a spare minute. Mumming is hard and you are totally inspiring BTW! XxxMarilla Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00845293491285630679noreply@blogger.com