I love being busy and productive.  I think sometimes it makes Nick a little bit crazy, but for the most part, I can’t just sit still.  For instance, when I sit down to enjoy some primetime television, I’m always also knitting, working on my computer, doing craft project(s), or something.  I can’t just sit and stare at the TV.  It makes me completely bananas to not be doing something with my hands.

I think I’ve mentioned here that I’ve started teaching some knitting classes at my local yarn shop.  It’s fun and I’m beginning to feel more confident in my teaching, designing, and knitting abilities.  I recently helped a friend at the shop come up with a “Charlie Brown” sweater (I’m knitting one along with her and I just started knitting the sleeves onto mine) and I also designed a sock that I’m going to be teaching a class on later this month.

As if that’s not enough, I’ve also been helping some friends and contacts with some web design and development.  I recently helped a friend launch his new Internet talk-radio network, and I’m really excited to see how that grows.

AND…

I’m starting a home-based business, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting!  Not knitting, not anything computer-related.  Nope.  I’ve started making soap.

For the most part, up to this point, I haven’t technically been making soap.  I’ve been using premade melt and pour (MP) soap, adding color and fragrance, and pouring it into decorative molds.  However, I also recently got all the supplies and equipment I need to start doing cold process (CP) soaps “from scratch”.  These soaps are all-natural, and in most cases are all vegetable-based (vegan-friendly).  Unlike soaps you buy at the store, they do not contain any petroleum by-products.  They’re safer and gentler on your skin and kinder to the environment.  I’ve also started developing different fragrance blends that will be unique to my line of soaps, so that’s another fun selling-point.

Anyway, it pretty much happened by accident: I wanted to make some cute soaps for Christmas gifts this year.  I’ve been really big on the idea of making a lot of handmade things for the holidays, and I thought that soapmaking would be something I could try in addition to my knitting.  I quickly found out that it was really, really fun!  When I showed what I’d done to some friends, they were interested in purchasing some from me to give away as gifts too.  My initial thought at that point was that I should probably check into some of the legalities of selling things like this (taxes and such) just in case — ’cause I’m that type of girl and “Murphy’s Law” always applies to me.

So I started doing research on the Internet and I wound up making an appointment with the local small business development center.  They were incredibly helpful in walking me through the steps, and now I’m in the process of writing a business-plan and financial documents.  Though I’m not seeking any loans to finance this little venture, they still advise taking these steps to “get things in perspective” and focus your efforts.  My eyes were really opened and now I’m even more excited about this opportunity than I was initially.

I’ve started Monkey Bubble Soaps online where I’ll be selling my soaps (right now you can go there to sign up for the e-mail newsletter and be notified when the shop opens).  I’m also planning to get to a few local craft fairs and such.

I don’t expect this to be a career or even a significant source of income.  I’m just hoping it will be something fun that will also earn us a little extra money that we can squirrel away for a rainy day.  Plus, I also see it as an interesting and fun learning experience.  My ultimate goal later in my life is to own my own business (though not a soap-business) and I see this as a baby-step toward that.  There’s less initial investment so I’m not taking on that much risk, but at the same time I’m learning about all the processes involved in creating and maintaining a business.  It’s fascinating, honestly, and everyday I work on this (along with all my knitting projects, freelance work, etc.) I feel even more energized and just plain alive.  It’s an exciting time in our lives — there’s so much opportunity and I really feel like I’m finally wrapping my arms around it and embracing it rather than letting it slip past me.

Also… I had good news a couple days ago: I got a raise at work!  Of course, more money is always nice (especially in tuff economic times like this), but it also was a great affirmation that they’re happy with my work.  It’s just all-around been an awesome past few weeks!

For anyone who was wondering, my first experience teaching a knitting class went very well.  The picture (click to enlarge) is the baby socks I designed for the class, and I taught the students how to knit them two at a time (simultaneously) on two circular needles.

I was supposed to have four gals in my class, but only two made it.  (The other ones had family and health-related problems and couldn’t make the first class.)  My two students did very, very well and are both finishing up their socks.

Pat (the owner of my local yarn shop) already booked me to teach this class again.  She said that the girls who missed the first class want to take it, and she thinks there will be others also.  I’m also teaching other sock knitting classes, a shawl/wrap class, and a free workshop/Q&A session on using Ravelry.com (a popular knitting-related website).  So now I’m teaching classes almost every Monday evening and two classes (one in the morning, one in the afternoon) on Saturdays!

I almost feel guilty getting paid to do this.  I even told Pat as much.  I really enjoy knitting, and I enjoy helping people learn to knit.  It’s getting paid to do something I really love.  And even if I weren’t teaching, I’d probably be at the knit shop for sit-’n-knit anyway, so I might as well be helping out!

I’ve really met so many wonderful friends through the knit shop.  I don’t think I’d have ever gotten over my homesickness without them.  They’ve become my “Tennessee-family”.

Speaking of homesickness, I’m going home next month!  Actually, I’ll be leaving a month from today - on August 8th.  I’ll be flying from Nashville to Detroit, then into Erie.  Nick has to work, so I’ll be flying home by myself.  Hopefully we’ll be able to make another trip in the autumn so he can go too.

I’ll be spending the week visiting with family.  My grandparents have both recently had some health problems, and I just felt like I really need to be home right now with them.  Unfortunately, I can’t stay, but at least I can visit for a while and spend as much time as possible with them.

We have good work-related news!

Nick was promoted at work!  He’s now running the install-bay and in charge of car electronics.  He also earned his MECP Advanced certification and is currently studying for his Master certification as well.

As for me… I’ve been asked by my local yarn shop to start teaching some knitting classes!  I’m really excited about that.  I’m teaching a class on how to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles.  I wrote up a pattern for a pair of plain baby socks to do for that class.  Then I’m also teaching a class on knitting a pair of simple lace adult-size socks.  The sock in the picture is the sock we’ll be doing in that class.  It’s the “Monkey” pattern designed by Cookie A.

My first class is next Monday night.  I’m nervous and excited!