How it all began...

Famous Last Words - "It'll be easy!"

Yeah, not so much. I've toyed with the idea of a blog/Etsy store/being crafty for income (if not exactly profit) for a while now. The problem was, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. While I like to crochet and sew, it didn't seem like the path I wanted to take. There were so many options making it hard to focus or know where to even begin. I wanted to be able to grow and possibly change my product as time went on, but somehow kept landing on a planner theme when trying to choose a business name.

I've had a planner since high school, where we were given one to keep our assignments in. For a while I just used a 2 year pocket calendar and a TON of to-do lists. Eventually I switched to a store-bought agenda planner, getting larger formats when I was busier. Ultimately though, they just never really worked for me. 

I started researching options and found the wonderful world of modern planners. The choices! The colors! The accessories! I have always loved stickers, stationery and office supplies, and this was a great excuse to buy new stuff. After countless hours debating what to choose, I bought my first binder kit. Almost immediately I started customizing. Even then, it wasn't working out. I scoured the internet looking for alternatives. But still, there was always something off. No lines on the weekly view. Lines on the monthly view. Notes on the left. Five row and six column months. Too bulky. So I started creating my own layouts. 

After designing and auditioning a handful for my ring-bound planner, trying out personal vs. A5 and horizontal vs. vertical, I was sooooo close to planner peace. I ended up making a Traveler's Notebook-style, super simple (no cutting or hole punching!) and functional. I loved how streamlined it was. However, instead of adding a little color so it didn't depress me when I didn't have time to decorate, I abandoned it for another purchased planner. Instagram and Facebook just made it too tempting. At least I was smart enough to not commit to a full year ;) 

So, what to do with all of the layouts sitting around on my computer? Sell them as printables on Etsy of course! While it is a bit overwhelming with the amount of competition, I figure if mine have that one thing that sets them apart and makes it right for someone, then it is worth trying. Of course, I once I started adding and removing customizations, I ended up with a lot more options than I had anticipated. I'll take the slight delays in opening the shop for a better variety at launch. Right now, I'm happy to be creating and moving forward with this idea instead of just dreaming about it.