Holiday greetings to each of you. I am busy sending out greetings, finishing art, polishing the place and preparing room in my heart for a Merry and Joyous Holiday here. Unfortunately, I took on way more than I could do this year, some happy clients and some not so happy and I have learned that for the new year, I will pace myself. Anybody else feeling (sad) side affects of the stress of trying to please everyone. My apologies to those of you that I promised art. I promise to be better, faster, stronger! Thanks to those of you who have been so encouraging over the years which makes me so very happy!
Friday, December 18, 2009
happy and (sad) holidays
Holiday greetings to each of you. I am busy sending out greetings, finishing art, polishing the place and preparing room in my heart for a Merry and Joyous Holiday here. Unfortunately, I took on way more than I could do this year, some happy clients and some not so happy and I have learned that for the new year, I will pace myself. Anybody else feeling (sad) side affects of the stress of trying to please everyone. My apologies to those of you that I promised art. I promise to be better, faster, stronger! Thanks to those of you who have been so encouraging over the years which makes me so very happy!
Blessings to you darlin'. Two posts ago I spoke of taking time to enjoy the season...the last post was about my holiday perfection disorder- it changes daily. The important thing is to enjoy with your family. Slow down, don't forget to B R E A T H, and have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat card. You can only do as much as you can do...there is only so much time in the day! Good luck...you will get through it! xx
ReplyDeletePlease don't beat up on yourself. You are only one person with two hands (talented I would say). And we all learn lessons in life. We can't please everyone all of the time.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your family this weekend!
just remember, you are not an assembly line worker! this is art! Love the card though and I know the feeling of mixed emotions at this point. Have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteCommission work can be tricky - to balance a customer's request with your true artistic heart! I watch my artist husband struggle with this sometimes but you are SO talented and launching a lot at once! It will all work out... have a great weekend!!! oxo Barbara
ReplyDeletePatricia- I know what I feel when I try to please so many people and sometimes there just is not enough time in a day. I also think this is all a learning process as you changed your way of your business AND opened an ETSY shop. I have my fingers cross once the disappointed feelings are over all will be fine. Sending you many hugs. Have a golden weekend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou can only do what you can do with out compromising your art. Don't worry about people they will get past the delay it's the holidays! Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteOne can only do the best they can and I know you tried your hardest! You're an amazing woman and I'm always shocked at how much you DO get done! Don't let the stress get to you -enjoy the holiday season! xo
ReplyDeleteSO talented and launching a lot at once! It will all work out... have a great weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteWork from home India
Happy Christmas to you and yours! Your comments remind me of the Thursday NYT article about Etsy business women--how much hourly time it takes to make lovely things. And it isn't easy to be creative on demand, no matter how much we love our medium!
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful and relaxing holiday . . .
Dear blog friends,
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for your encouraging words. They bring me so much solace in my efforts to have things not only "checked off my list" but to realize that originality takes time and that needs to be nourished.
bless each of you ~
pve
All will be well, my friend. Keep first things first and the rest will follow in due (and in enough) time.
ReplyDeleteSending peace your way...
Really, who could be upset with you? Deep breath. It will all work out like it's supposed to.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. You put all your heart into your work and do a wonderful job. You are not mass producing but making ART.
ReplyDeleteI agree with so many of the above sentiments! One cannot rush or mass produce beautiful art. Please don't put added pressure on yourself...it saps the creativity (and we need your creative hand & mind)! Clients will wait with sweet anticipation. Enjoy Christmas, your family, wrapping gifts, baking, etc. It only comes once a year!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are feeling sad about taking too much on. You are so talented and I think your work is worth the wait. It's hard to box your talent in to a time frame. Don't be too hard on yourself. Perhaps this weekend's snow will help!
ReplyDeleteI concur with all the thoughts here and could not agree more. I can relate, more than you know, to how you are feeling right now. Being a one woman show can be difficult. Sometimes, we are our own worst critic and place impossible demands on ourselves! ..and it is almost impossible to be creative under pressure.
ReplyDeleteI feel guilty that my blog is not being updated very often due to my workload - and look at how you have balanced your work and still post everyday. You bring inspiration to me everyday!
You are an amazing artist. Don't let this get you down!!
Enjoy your family and relax this weekend!
The moment they see your wonderful work, their anxiousness will melt away! Try not to stress. Keep your heart focused on the most important point of the season and your work will be a pleasure and breeze by!
ReplyDeleteRemember to keep the pace where it is fun.......more than that and it becomes a job. Not that you can't want that too, but you have done so much this year Paricia! Go easy, easy..and enjoy the holidays starting now. Love to you and your family `XO
ReplyDeleteDear PVE, take a deep breath. It will ultimately be ok! I gave up on trying to be a people pleaser long ago. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI completely relate. I have two art exhibits for Jan/ Feb that need to be installed the week after Christmas. My other work has me on overload, and family issues and health have me worrying about everyone(worry never fixes anything)
ReplyDeleteWe all need to just take time for enjoying the season in a relaxing joyful way!
Oh, I have been there. In fact, I was felled by a migraine just yesterday... I rather think my "to do" list had something "to do" with it. I wrote the day off, drove home and went to bed for three hours. I can highly recommend that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy your book arrived safely and so tickled it's being held till Christmas morning! (Although I would have wrapped it more festively had I known!!) It will be a wonderful Christmas morning gift!! From Santa!
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteSo feel your pain. Been there a million times. Luckily this year, clients weren't pushing me over the edge, just my other commitments. All will be well. Enjoy your holidays.
Gwen
Ragland Hill Social
Dear Sister,
ReplyDeleteLove this post - I think we are related - in the sense of taking on more than we can finish...but we are blessed that we even try to!!!! Congratulations on your business efforts this year. Love you and there is always room in my heart for you!
Hang in there, Patricia! This happens to the best of us - I've been working 7 am to 1 am all month and just barely managing to keep up. Just move on and let it go (and scale it down next year!).
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I know that feeling. All that hard work is what makes Christmas so magic...but my favorite moment is Christmas Eve when I know the stores have closed...and I imagine everyone finally snuggled up at home with their loved ones. So, if you do sit down for a minute, or hug your children, or sip some cocoa...remember THAT's what it is all about. Cheers!
ReplyDeleterest up and recharge the batteries - have a merry christmas - one more order to go for me!! yea!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kwana...you are an artist, and an uber talented one at that, so I for one would want and expect you to take the time you need. So remember to take deep breaths and remember how much all of us appreciate the incredible artist that you are. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI understand completely - I always take on just a little bit more than I am capable of achieving.
ReplyDeleteYour is an issue of an over-generous heart. This is both a bad thing and a good thing. Please don't over-discipline yourself. No one can please every client. We all just do our best, and your generosity is so large that it spreads much farther than your person.
It's clear from all these loving responses that your talent, your grace and your generosity are deeply appreciated. Know that in your heart.
OOXX and happy Holidays!
Wow, I am ever to grateful for your supportive words-
ReplyDeleteeach of you have such genuine care and wisdom.
I am going to keep these comments close to my heart
(my artist heart!)
pve
Don't be so hard on yourself, Patricia! You are only human and there are ony so many hours in a day. I know it's not fun when you have to say, "Sorry, I just can't do ALL of this for you!" I had to do this recently and the client was not happy and tried to make me feel guilty. You have to remember to take care of yourself!! Have a wonderful, restful Christmas!! xo
ReplyDeleteI've always been in awe with how much you do Patricia...your work is top notch! The best.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas!
Michelle