new PlanetJune Accessories… almost…
One year ago today, I launched my first PlanetJune Accessories collection. I designed my patterns to showcase what I consider to be the beauty and variety of crochet, and also as teaching tools, with full written instructions, technique explanations and tips, photos, illustrations, and charted stitch diagrams.
The customer feedback I’ve had has been so positive (check the reviews in my shop to see!) that I’ve been eager to find time to create another set of designs. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been working hard so that I’d be able to launch my second collection today, on the anniversary of the original launch. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been Accessories-obsessed, stressed to the eyeballs, with no time or energy to spend on anyone or anything else, just to try to get this collection ready to launch by the end of September.
Um, does that seem stupid to you too? Why am I torturing myself by working myself into the ground, just to meet an arbitrary deadline?!
You may not appreciate this (I didn’t, and I’ve been through it before, so I really should have remembered), but there’s a ridiculously large amount of work that goes into creating a collection of patterns when you do it all yourself. Designing, crocheting, pattern writing, testing, stitch diagram drawing, phototography, modelling, editing and layout – the list goes on, and every stage is time-consuming if you want to do it right and produce a high quality product. Then multiply it all by 5 or 6 and try to work on them all simultaneously without losing your mind….
This process has made me think seriously about the way I’m running my business. I have a lot of ideas, and a lot of things I want to create and accomplish. But there’s only one June, and only so many hours in the day. I set myself big goals and push myself far too hard to reach them – I don’t want to get sick again, or burn out.
So that’s why today’s post is to announce that I will not be releasing a new PJ Accessories collection today: I’m going to take a few more days and make sure I do justice to my new designs. I’m really excited about them, and I hope you’ll love them too!
Here’s a little taster of what you can expect:
Look out for the new PlanetJune Accessories collection, coming soon, with launch week discounts! If you want to make sure you don’t miss them, sign up for my newsletter – I’m going to hold back my September update so I’ll send out the newsletter, including the discount codes, as soon as the collection is ready.
And now, I think I’m going to stop working (for a few minutes, at least) 🙂
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Jana said
WOW! Those sneaky peeks look beautiful! Can’t wait to see what they are attached to! I concur with everyone here. Take it easy! I am a lot like you and have to remind myself all the time that the world will NOT stop if I take a break or a little more time to do something that only has a SELF-imposed deadline! 🙂 Reminds me of a poem-don’t remember the words exactly, but the basic theme is that the dust and dishes can wait, they will be there tomorrow and the next day, but your child will keep on growing and one day be gone. It’s a strange comparison, I know, but think of your HEALTH (mental AND physical) as that child! 🙂
June said
Thanks for the support, guys – it’s a big relief to take this pressure off myself! I only didn’t want to get off schedule because I have more designs lined up, and some of them are seasonal – I may have to drop a couple of things now (or save them for Christmas 2012…)
The real problem (and reason for the bulk of the stress and the delay) isn’t even my fault – it’s been the weather. It’s not easy taking photos that look like autumn when it’s actually spring here and overly-bright sunshine all the time – I’m trying my best, but I don’t think I’ll be fooling anyone with my pics 😉
Judy Carlson said
Ooo! I wonder what all of those lovely stitches belong to! I sure do appreciate you too!
Patti Jo said
Wow! The sneak peek you gave us is absolutely beautiful! I can hardly wait to see what you have created. Well worth the wait, I’m sure!
Alicia said
Yay! I’m glad to see you’re being sensible. I have a chronic illness and learning to pace myself and not beat myself up over self-imposed missed deadlines was a hard lesson to learn. In the big scheme of things, a day late here and there really isn’t going to make the world fall apart. Your health is far more important.;p
Looking forward to seeing your accessories on the “revised” schedule!
Anne said
Hooray. The little peak looks stunning. I have been thrilled with the patterns from last fall and am working on three more wraps and a cowl right now. Your little delay and much deserved break will be a blessing for me as well. I will have to get into high gear and clear the decks. Cause holiday projects are on the horizon too. Thanks for the little peak.
Carmen said
June,
It must really be a load off to get that off your chest! 🙂 Sometimes we don’t always reach our goals, but now you are more experienced and better prepared for next year (if you so desire:)). I am excited to see what you have been lovingly working so hard on. You take pride in your work and it shows. I just wanted to let you know that!
-Carmen
Jeannine said
I sure do appreciate you, June!
Melissa said
I’m glad you’re slowing down a little! I think everyone would rather you release your patterns a few days later, more polished, and free of mistakes than earlier on a date we didn’t even know about! Don’t push yourself too hard and keep coming up with the great, creative patterns!
Carina said
Good for you that you’ve given yourself a break! 😉