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Bead Mom: To Bead Show or not to Bead Show? |
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Written by Dara Spiotto
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Monday, 24 September 2007 |
 When are you Coming Back?
Since I stopped working in August of ‘05 I’ve been asked a million times, “When are you coming BACK??” I’ve answered those questions with a smile and assured them that some day I’ll be back, and that’s the truth. I couldn’t even call my job a JOB in the true sense of the word. Traveling and selling beads is a fun, rewarding soirée that gives me a euphoric glow from the moment I hit the bead stores. I love bead people. And I really love bead store owners. All brown nosing aside, I love that they put themselves out there in a business that has a low end product of $.05 each and works its way up. I mean, these people can support a business in nickels and quarters. And there’s so much competition out there that it's hard to stay on your toes. Bead shop owners have hutzpah and strive to not just survive, but let an art form thrive in an environment they create. It's not just all about making cash flow, although of course that’s the denominator. There’s more to it than that. You know what I mean.
They Sell Beads???
I remember once way back in the day when it was just Heather and I working in the little tiny Beadin’ Path store. That seem like a million years ago because, well… it was. It was a normal day and we were bustling about doing our thing, when these two business men came in with suits on, one of them obviously the manager or owner of the building we were in. They ogled at each other and made a lot of comments like, “Can you BELIEVE that this business actually EXISTS? How do they keep their doors open selling BEADS??” They stood there with their hands in their pockets jingling their change and rocking back and forth on their heels. Heather and I looked at them, and then looked at each other, annoyed and insulted. I wonder what those men would think now if they saw the current Beadin’ Path store in all of its beady glory. I bet they’re still pushing a pen around on a desk somewhere. Hmphff. So back to what I was saying…
So I gave it all up. Tossed in the towel. All for the little monkey I’m raising with my husband. I’ve seen a lot of children that have been raised by parents that have made other things a priority instead of their kids, such as their own hobbies, school, personal goals, wants, desires, etc. My husband and I both decided that once we had children, it wouldn’t be about us anymore. It's our obligation to invest in our babies to raise them to be thriving, healthy, pro-active, contributing, capable human beings. I don’t feel you can properly do that if you’re busy with your own agenda. Raising a family takes your attention span. If you’ve got too much competition for your attention that means your children have to share it with whatever else (or whomever else) you’re involved with, and it comes down to fractions.
 Preparation and Priorities
When my little guy came along I was prepared. I had left the group I belonged to (the bead society) and I didn’t commit to doing any volunteering, etc. I finished up all my projects and goals I had planned out and so I was ready. Of course, I was in my 30’s so I had already done so much that I wanted to do, so I didn’t feel like I was giving anything up, really. I know what you must be thinking. That I gave up my sense of self and personal being, sort of sold my soul. Nah. I made myself AVAILABLE (I love that word) to do the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done: raise a little boy. Without outside stuff interfering. I still have goals and plans and hobbies, but I do them around my son.
One time a bead store owner said to me, “I can’t imagine you sitting at home staring at a baby all day! You’ll be back to work within a month.” All I could do is smile at them. They had me pegged so wrong. Who has a baby and then just sits home and stares at them? Not Vincent and me… we had stuff to do. We went for walks, to the playground, visited relatives and friends, ate great food, watched cartoons, took naps together, played in the tub… and all when he was only a few months old. Once he could crawl, it opened up a whole new door to us. He could finger paint, mix cookie dough, find flowers in the grass (and ants!), and swim. Having a baby was the best thing I could have done because it made me live like a child again! :-) When you’re young, nature is so in your face. You’re picking grass out from between your teeth and trying to rub the pitch off your knees. When you’re an adult you look at it from inside your car window as you drive by it all. Having a child has made me have to shake my shirt to get the grass out and take my shoes off to dump out the sand before rolling down the hill again. It's liberating! I would encourage any Mom who chooses to work to choose not to. Let your spouse be the breadwinner and stay home and have fun with your kids. It's awesome. And for those of you who have to work to support your home and needs, I’m sorry that you’re missing out on all the fun.
Let Me Explain...
Soooo… Heather asked me if I’d go back to work. I said yes. If you’re shocked, let me explain. My hubby and I are trying for baby #2 right now. I figured that if I were going to do any bead shows in the distant future, now would be the best time, before another one came along. So I agreed to sell beads at shows for the month of September, only because my hubby’s Mom and sister will look after my little Vincent. I’ll be gone Friday and Saturday only. The rest of the time I’ll be with Vin. So, I’m nerve wracked about being away from him, but also trying to choose where to do shows at. I had to choose a small handful of stores, and hope that I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings with my choices. I adore all the store owners who have let me come in to do shows, and because I’m only doing a few I had to pick carefully. So to all of you that are reading this (I know some of you are!) I apologize for not picking you. Hope you’ll forgive me. Everything was chosen to accommodate Vincent, and he’s still my first priority.
A Little Bead Fun
I spent the month of August getting ready and the display of beads looks great. I realize that by the time this posts, it will be probably October and the shows will be over. But I’ll keep you posted on how they go, and how my little Vin reacts to spending his days with Grandma and Auntie Gina. I’m sure they’ll have consumed their weight in ice cream and have spent hours in trips to the playground. Grandma will have bought him new toys and Auntie Gina will have bought him new clothes. As long as Vincent is happy and safe, that’s all I care about. A little bead fun for me, and a lot of spoiling for Vin. We’ll both be happy campers. |
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