just have fun. no stress !

Perhaps the way to go is to start small, for instance with family and friends. Tell them what you are willing to do and ask them to spread the word. Make up some samples even. That way there is no stress level. My friends know I sew (my payment is wine!) and I always up front say that if it is something I can't or don't want to do I will let them know that. Good luck. Hugs. Nan W

Well, glad you have reduced your stress level...and I have found that many who turn their hobby into a job do not enjoy their hobby anymore! One of the reasons I don't sell my designs or items I make is that with that comes bookkeeping and taxes...

I ask family and friends that request special designs or embroidery/sewing work to reimburse for the fabric, supplies, sometimes machine wear etc. It allows me to buy more supplies with my limited budget. I've found I can make more money (in my area) working a part-time job than doing any embroidery.

I have fun just stitching for our family and friends and I do one or two small neighborhood craft fairs. I am lucky that my hubby is very encouraging and likes to help me with those few craft fairs that I do. We do them together and meet so many nice people. I refuse to let it stress me out - I would quit stitching before I let that happen. My family is large so I spend most of my time stitching for them and our friends. We are retired too and I try to budget how much I spend on my hobby.

I know and understand exactly how you feel. I also wanted to make a bit of pocket money with my embroidery but it just didn’t happen. I now just make a few orders for friends. I also make loads of things for sale at a pug sanctuary but that is all charity work. I still rather my embroidery stays a hobby - far less stressful

I totally understand. I am emptying my house of all the stuff I think I no longer need and am posting an unpaid internship with my alma mater. I have tried already posting items and it is hard to give stuff away. I am just not a merchant.

I do occasional sewing jobs for people, for payment, but it always causes me stress when I have a deadline to meet..

On the other hand I have one friend who keeps bringing jobs for me, who never even asks how much, which is really annoying as each project requires that I not only stitch it out, but I also need to digitise a custom design for each one. So far I have embroidered 4 quilt labels and ten towels for her and even at $10 each it would be a blessing to have the money to help replace thread, or pay for machine upkeep, or electricity usage.

I love embroidery and sewing and making things for others when I am well enough and I never ask for anything, but I think I prefer to just make gifts and not do jobs for people, other than digitising, which gives me the greatest pleasure and costs me nothing but my time.

Life is far too short to be stressed.
Hugs n roses, M

I understand the worry. I retired 2 years ago and worried because I don't bring home a steady paycheck anymore. I took a part time job that I have cut back on a lot since February and will probably quit altogether in April. Even this part time work is too much stress with all the changes in the job. I still quilt for friends and referrals. It isn't much but I feel better doing that.