Moving out to the country takes a bit of adjusting. Your social life decreases, the grocery store is 20 minutes away, and there are less job opportunities. But the pace of living is also decreased, life seems a bit slower out here. There's less running from one activity to the next and more sitting out on the back deck watching the kids cuddle chickens.
After deciding that raising a family in the city was not the best option for us, we were knee deep in manure in no time, and loving it. Unfortunately, we were not farmers. We were hobby farmers and as such, still needed to work. I currently work part-time, but the lure to work from home, and avoid the 40 minute commute into the city is strong.
I have always enjoyed my crafts, and in the company of my kids and cats, there isn't anything I would rather be doing. I'm constantly trying new things, fixing things that don't work, and as such, have a varied collection of items that I sell.
I hope that you enjoy them, and I welcome any feedback!
Annick
Tell us a bit about yourself and 2IdleHands ?
Born in Germany, raised in Ontario, and moved out east to find my way. Did a brief stint in college, a bit of travelling, and have now found a place that feels like home. And home wouldn't be home if I wasn't crocheting, knitting, beading, sewing. 2IdleHands was started when my husband stumbled into my craft room and stated, "Don't you think it's about time you started selling some of this stuff?". I'm not very good at marketing myself, but the desire to work doing what I love is stronger than my natural aversion to marketing.
How did you get started in doing what you do? How long have you been creating?
My mother was a very patient woman, and used up all of her patience teaching me how to knit, crochet and sew as a child. My real creating didn't start though, until I started creating kids. I would really love to be a stay-at-home mom, and have made some sacrifices to spend as much time as I do with them. Now that they are off to school, I actually have time to do things that I enjoy... like enjoy the peace and quiet when they get on that bus in the mornings! Coffee, creating, and quiet. Best way to start any day.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I tend to get my inspiration by trying to solve the little things that bother me. My coffee cozies are wonderful for not only saving your hand from getting burnt, but also for keeping all those cardboard sleeves out of the garbage. My market bags come from a similar motivation. A hatred of plastic bags. I love to use things that are well made, constructed to last. I'm inspired by things that are not disposable. As for my jewellery... I like shiny things!
What was your first creation? Do you have a favourite?
My first creation... after moving out of east, was a simply strand of seed beads. Extra long for wrapping or knotting, it is still one of my favourites. My most used creation is one of my market bags. It's a robin-egg blue, with a turquoise flower, and it holds all the ingredients for one giant pot of home-made soup. I lug it to the market, I have washed and rewashed it, and for the last four years, it's always had a home in my purse, so that I'm never without it!
What have you created recently?
I have been very busy working on my coffee cozies. Everyone is really enjoying them! I don't know if it's the fact that they can pick their own colours, or if they just like the fact that they do double as a cute bracelet (for those of us that tend to forget them when they go for their coffee run. A plus for me is that they are fairly quick to make, so I can work on them while helping the kids with their homework... or helping myself to a glass of wine when the kids go to bed!
