Opening the Door
Confession time: I love a personality test.
It might have something to do with being raised by a academic psychologist and taking tests as part of fellow academics’ research at a young age. It may be because of certain school programs that seemed to include this sort of testing. I suspect, however, it has more to do with my own curiosity about people and whether or not these tests can really “nail it” when it comes to understanding something so complex as a personality.
I remember Meyers-Briggs being a big one (I’m INFJ. You?) Then the Enneagram. (Nine.) And just a few years ago I encountered The Working Genius, which focuses more on how a person finds joy and fulfillment in a work-oriented environment (I’m EW).
To summarize, I’m an intensely introverted, highly logical, idealistic person who likes to plod along quietly in the background and overthink everything, especially whether or not I’m offending or excluding anyone.
If you know me personally, are you laughing? Seem accurate?
In any case, because of these and other factors, I sometimes find it incredibly difficult to open a door to try new things and put myself “out there.” Maybe you feel the same?
This week I decided to try something that felt like both a natural step and a crazy leap at the same time. I’m officially offering a Beast to Blanket Summer Workshop to the public.
It’s a natural step because I was so encouraged by the last co op enrichment class. They enjoyed doing all the projects, but once again, I saw firsthand how learning the skills helped the students develop in coordination, patience, emotional regulation, cooperation, and encouragement.
It feels like a crazy leap because this will be the first time I open Beast to Blanket up to the general public.
Not only am I opening it up to the public, but I’m setting a price! Oh, that’s hard. If you want to lose a couple hours on the internet, do a search on pricing art, commissions, and classes. I’ve taught this class for free for the home school group, but the experts tell me I won’t have much success in turning this into a viable business unless I start charging for it.
Providentially, the local rec center’s summer offerings mailing came last week and helped me with some parameters for what’s reasonable for similar classes. I’m offering nine hours of actual class time, plus materials for all the projects. Then there’s all the set up and clean up, the organizing, ordering, and so on.
Can you see how an introverted overthinking worrier could struggle with pricing?
I’ve posted it first in my neighborhood Facebook page, but I’ll be posting it elsewhere, too. I just need to catch my breath first. (If you happen to be in the Wichita area and know of anyone who’d be interested in a workshop at this or another time, please feel free to pass along this newsletter and my email address!)
And while Beast to Blanket has been taking almost all of my attention lately, there’s another corner of my mind that’s buzzing with Mr. Darcy the Sheep business.
He’s ready for me to start drafting out some meatier (forgive me, sir) stories, but I’m hesitant to do that before some significant planning. I have the text for one potential young children’s book (Beast to Blanket related, naturally) starring Mr. Darcy, but sadly, I have absolutely zero skills in the crucial area of illustration. I need to find an illustrator.
In addition, I need to draft out the direction I want to take Mr. Darcy’s stories, because there’s so much potential, and I’d just hate to waste it. Clearly, this needs overthinking.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on another Elizabeth Zimmerman baby sweater, sized up for a newly-minted two year old.
I’ve also (you might want to sit down for this, considering my confession from a couple weeks ago) been swatching for a commissioned hat.
What are you working on today?
Happy knitting!
Kiersten J
