mary pow
  • Textiles
    • Portfolio
    • Pillows
    • Handbags
    • Textile Belts
    • Retired >
      • Retired Handbag Styles
      • MinneBites (retired)
  • Soft Pastels
    • Gallery >
      • New Work
      • People - Commissioned Portraits
      • Works in a Series >
        • Lake Nokomis Area
        • Mom's Bouquet Series
        • Social Justice Series
        • Portrait of a Quarantine Series
      • Archive
      • Artist's Collection
    • Limited Edition Prints
    • Commissions
    • Available Pastel Paintings
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Visit the Studio
    • Biography + Artist Statement
    • Awards + Press
  • Events
  • Shop
    • Shop Textile Art
    • Shop Pastel Paintings
    • Shop Handbags
    • Shop Turtles
    • Shop Prints
    • Shop Note Cards
    • Pay What You Can Paintings

You Can Do Anything; Making Time for the New

2/25/2016

0 Comments

 

Timing is Everything

You can do anything, but not everything.
This is one of my favorite quotes. It's the perfect reminder for someone who wants to do it all.

Like me! 
​

I'm a busy mom of three young kids. I'm running my own creative business. I'm trying to do new work at the same time as maintaining my original business. It's a lot.

I have to remind myself that timing is everything. ​Yes, I can do it all ...but not all at the same time.
Picture
For the past two months I've set aside making sharks and bugs and whales, and all my other MinneBites products, to focus on my new work. I've been exploring new ideas and creating handbags and accessories in a more sophisticated style for an upcoming show.

​It's been amazing and refreshing -- and incredibly difficult. 

For one, I've had to say "no" to more people. I've had to turn away customers and custom requests. I have to do this to be sure I have enough time to create the new work. But, it's hard to say no. As a single-person business, it's easy to second guess myself. Especially when I'm spending money on my business, but currently not bringing much in!
Picture
For two, it means my MinneBites shop on Etsy and my shop on my own website are getting empty. I've had to take out all of the items I usually have as "made to order". As items sell out, I can't add them back in. The virtual shelves are getting empty! It's a bit hard to watch. I have to take a deep breath and remind myself of my goals for the year. ​
Picture
On the other hand, I have to be sure the relationships I cultivated throughout the years remain intact. For instance, this week I'm working on an order of sharks for UncommonGoods. They are a wonderful account, and I need to be sure I maintain that. But, I had to take a week off of creating new work. 

And so... timing is everything!

I've become pretty good at creating a schedule. I've also become really good at adjusting - and readjusting - my schedule. Days off of school, sick kids, sick babysitter, sick sewing machine. These things happen.

We have to make priorities -- and then we have to be ready to constantly readjust.
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Mary Pow

    I am an artist and designer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My specialties are textiles and pastels.

    I also enjoy reflecting on the human condition.

    In my blog, I write about my musings and my art.

    Find my bio 
    here.


      Receive my email newsletter

    Subscribe

    Categories

    All
    American Craft Show
    Art & Craft Shows
    Creativity
    Exhibitions
    In The Shop
    Jerome Project Grant
    Mary Pow Handbags
    MinneBites
    Motherhood
    Musings
    Pastel Painting
    Poetry & Writing
    Portrait Project
    Process
    Quarantine Project
    Textile Art
    The Art Business

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    April 2022
    April 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    April 2017
    March 2017
    October 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

News
Picture
I'll be showing my textile art at the Edina Art Fair. June 2-4.
Shop
Picture
Social Media

​
INSTAGRAM
​
FACEBOOK
​
​​Visit the Studio
Northrup King Building
Studio 195

1500 Jackson Street NE
Minneapolis MN 55413
Picture
Shipping Policies
Returns & Exchanges
Website designed by Mary Pow.
©2023 Mary Pow Designs. 
All rights reserved.
  • Textiles
    • Portfolio
    • Pillows
    • Handbags
    • Textile Belts
    • Retired >
      • Retired Handbag Styles
      • MinneBites (retired)
  • Soft Pastels
    • Gallery >
      • New Work
      • People - Commissioned Portraits
      • Works in a Series >
        • Lake Nokomis Area
        • Mom's Bouquet Series
        • Social Justice Series
        • Portrait of a Quarantine Series
      • Archive
      • Artist's Collection
    • Limited Edition Prints
    • Commissions
    • Available Pastel Paintings
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Visit the Studio
    • Biography + Artist Statement
    • Awards + Press
  • Events
  • Shop
    • Shop Textile Art
    • Shop Pastel Paintings
    • Shop Handbags
    • Shop Turtles
    • Shop Prints
    • Shop Note Cards
    • Pay What You Can Paintings