Last week I said that this week would be giving you a tutorial on Dutch Spiral. Unfortunately I have been unwell, and I have had several unwell children, and the promised tutorial has not happened. Stay tuned next week, when I will present the tutorial.



This week I am going to talk to you about something that is very important to your crafting wellbeing.

Burn out is a common problem for a lot of crafters, especially those attempting to make a living from their craft. They often feel they have to keep going, even during illness and times of stress. However, this can have a detrimental effect on your ability to produce items to your usual standard, and can also result in the disappearance of your muse or mojo.

It is important to take care of yourself and give yourself permission to take ‘time-off’. If you are working in a regular offline job and you became unwell you would take sick leave.  So if you are working from home and you become unwell, give yourself sick leave. You are more likely to recover faster if you don’t push yourself to be achieving at your normal level.

Your crafting is an important part of you, and you are an important part of your craft – you need to take care of both of them. Your crafting muse will thank you and be less likely to take a holiday without you.

Be sure to drop by next week for the tutorial on Dutch Spiral, and in the meantime, be good to yourself.


Photo courtesy of JooSweetie

---

Take a Break
2 May 2010, 12:02 am
Source: Jennifer Mercer, Handmade News Columnist
Don't forget to check out HaffinaCreations!

That's a great reminder! One I forget all to often as I battle long term health problems.

It is an awesome reminder. But one that's hard to really put into practice because a normal job usually pays you while you're sick....a job making jewelry doesnt unless people buy from your store.....so I can understand people not wanting to put their things down.

That said, speaking from someone who killed their immune system for 2 years....give yourself time to recover....you would rather be sick for a week or two than being healthy for barely 3-7 days at a time.