These are my "little pixies," Carolyn (almost 4), and Nora (15 months). They are the inspiration for the new title of my business, "My Little Pixies, llc." It is a place to find and design creative hair accessories, customized to individual preferences. I am currently in the final few days before the big move from my current website at http://ittybittyclippies.etsy.com to my new website at http://mylittlepixies.etsy.com. When I considered a new name for my business, I pretty quickly decided I wanted to use the word "pixie" somewhere in the title. It might be because my almost-4-year-old watches and listens to too much Tinkerbell... but I feel like the word expresses both the cute and whimsical nature of the "style" of my hair accessories, and the defining features of these two girls who are such an important part of my life. We joke that our girls were born with tiny shoes and fairy wings because they are so petite and cute. So when I wanted to find a name that would allude to both who I am as a mother and as a person and what I make in this business, the word "pixie" just kept coming to mind.
I tried several different permutations, and finally "My Little Pixies" was suggested by my sister, and I immediately fell in love with it. So for the past several weeks, I have been working hard on all the background work associated with starting a new business. I've been learning some new skills to market and stocking up on an inventory of all the supplies I'll need. I even registered myself for a few craft shows this fall, and I'm looking forward to scheduling an open house later this summer and maybe even climbing aboard the "home shows" wagon.
This is a really exciting time for me! "Itty Bitty Clippies" has been a really great starting point, an experiment that taught me that I truly do LOVE doing this. I've had some initial success over the past two months in my Etsy shop and I'm excited to see it grow. I've learned a lot through a few speedbumps along the way, and I feel really ready to start this business "for real." I have so many great ideas and often wake up early in the morning just buzzing with thoughts and colors. I can't wait to get down to my "studio" (aka "secret lab" :)) to work!
The timing of all this is really interesting for me and seems very much to be a "God thing." Several months ago, my husband and I felt strongly that it was time for me to begin the process of stepping down from my current part-time job as a pharmacist for a local mass merchandiser. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the basic point was that we both felt as though our family needs me at home; there's nothing more important than these training years with our girls, and it is well worth the financial sacrifice to be able to do what we feel is right for them, and for us as a family. But one of the big regrets I have with leaving the working world is fearing that I may lose the part of my identity that is separate from my role as a mother. One of the things I love about being a pharmacist is that it is something I can do to contribute that is just "me," not relative to anyone else. I'm a giver, a creator, a person who feels the need to be valuable. And of course making hair accessories is hardly quite the "noble" and "helping" profession that pharmacy (at least at its best) can be. But it is something that I'm good at, something I enjoy, and something that is a reflection of some of the best gifts that God has given me.
A year ago, I would never have imagined that I'd be quitting the job that actually makes me money to start making bows in my basement! But the point is that I feel very grateful that although I'll never make the kind of money making bows that I do dealing (legal :)) drugs, that God has provided a way for me to fulfill my personal need to be expressive, involved, and part of making the world a more beautiful place.
So here we are! At the beginning of a new adventure. This blog will be a chronicle of my thoughts and experiences as we go forward from here, as well as a place for me to post pictures of my work as it continues to develop and mature. I wanted to separate it from my "family blog" because then only the people who actually want to hear about ribbons and bows and whatever else will look at it. :)
I'm excited that you (whoever you are... or maybe just my mom who loves me :)) are joining me on this journey! Let My Little Pixies begin!! Tuesday's the day of the big launch!!
