Sunday, 14 June 2015

Mitenska & Me (and a thank you)


You may or may not remember (I almost forgot) that a month or three ago, I was planning some occasional posts about blogging itself. Well I've finally found myself back at that little idea. You see, lots has been going on here behind the scenes.

I started this blog in January 2013 (or thereabouts) as a kind of online journal; a place to record what we'd been doing, what I was thinking about, somewhere to keep my favourite photographs. And that's what it is. It's not a means of income. I have no sponsors, no advertising space. I don't have a Strategy. 


But the fact is, I do need an income. We manage fine. We're not big spenders, wouldn't be even if we had the means. I'm happy to lead a simple existence with family and friends, to eat well and be outdoors and make a home.

However.

I took time off with Joe and made financial provision for that. He starts preschool in September. I want to have a career of sorts. That's where things get complicated. You see, it's all too easy to know what I don't want any more: the commuting, the office politics, the endless meetings, the sitting behind a desk and wishing I was somewhere else. What I do want is a degree of autonomy, to do something I actually enjoy, something that doesn't necessarily feel like a job.


So I've made a start. I now have a website which details what I do (writing, blogging, photography, art). I had a meeting with a lady at the local library last week and they're going to display my framed drawings and I'm taking commissions. There are already three in my order book. I'm writing for a few different sites and there are one or two upcoming writing opportunities I've accepted.

We're not talking lots of money here. It all falls well within the 'modest' category. But if I keep plugging away and trying and knocking on doors... well, maybe I can make a go of things. An income, working from home, being creative, being around for Joe.


So where does this leave Mitenska? Exactly where it is. My little space, away from my professional projects, where I can do what I've always done: share the little things which make our life together what it is, write about memories, post pictures. Mitenska has brought me into contact with lots of lovely people. It's helped me discover some really wonderful blogs too. It's not a brand, it's just me and my life.

So I may update you with anything exciting which happens. I'll probably share some drawings. My 'work' website can be found on the blog, but only if you want to look for it. Otherwise, it's just Mitenska as it's always been.

And finally - a little giveaway. Not for self-promotion purposes. Just basically to say thank you for visiting. I'd like to offer the 'winner' a personalised painting. They're drawn in ink and then coloured with watercolour, with nature-inspired illustrations around the name of the child (or grown-up, why not?). Just let me know (in the Comments section) if you'd like to enter and I'll randomly pick a winner at 6pm on Sunday 21st June. You can then tell me the name you'd like me to paint and I'll send you the picture in a sturdy envelope.

Good luck!



42 comments:

  1. I'm chuffed that you will be able to use your talents in this way. Not an artistic bone in my body so please don't be offended if I am a little envious. Good luck and yes please I would like to enter.

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  2. I'm glad you have found your place in the world and going to be doing the things you love, I wish you well were ever the road takes you.
    I would love to be in the draw for a chance to win a drawing...
    Amanda xx

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  3. I'm really happy for you, Sarah. I think it's wonderful that you're already beginning to find ways to create an income and do things that you love. I wish you lots of success. I'm starting to think about some of the same sorts of things myself. I would love to be entered in your drawing, thank you for the chance to win.

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  4. Yours sounds like a really good plan Sarah and I am happy for you that you are able to pursue your dream. Commuting, office politics and wishing to be somewhere else sounds not very nice at all. Being with Joe and doing what you love does. Well done for having three commissions already! Yes please, I would love to be entered in your give-away. I am a collector of art (we are not talking Rembrant here, local artists, friends who paint etc) and your painting would be well loved. Have a lovely week. I am going to pop over to your work website to have a wee nosy. xx

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  5. This post made me smile. I love that you're pushing forward with your dreams and finding opportunities, it's wonderful, very well done you. I'm wishing you very much success and happiness. The giveaway sounds wonderful, count me in please. CJ xx

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  6. What a lovely post. You sound really happy and content. I'm delighted that things are moving along for you in the direction you want. It all sounds perfect. And yes please, I would love to enter your giveaway. Thanks for the chance, Bee xx

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  7. Phew! For one moment I thought you were going to say that you would not be continuing with your blog! I do so love reading your words and admiring your beautiful photos. I'm so pleased you have some opportunities opening up for you and wish you success. I would love to be entered into your giveaway. It sounds lovely.

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    1. I realise now, having re-read the post, that it looked a bit 'swan song' to begin with. Sorry! That wasn't my intention at all. I'm not going anywhere :)

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  8. Good luck with your new ventures. I hope that it all goes really well for you and that you enjoy it!! That is the most important part isn't it. I would love to enter your giveaway, but most of all I hope that the pictures sell really well for you! xx

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  9. I am so pleased you are continuing your blog. You know I love to look at your gorgeous photos. I hope your plans for income generation continue to grow at a pleasing rate that allows you enjoyment and security. I would be delighted to be entered into your giveaway. What a lovely idea. Elaine

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  10. I just want to say thank you for your blog. I love your photos and find your writing thought provoking and inspirational. Good luck with your new projects - I am sure that you will find that doors will open for you which will be exciting and scary at the same time.

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    1. Thank you Alice. I'm glad you like visiting! And yes, these things are daunting (I'm not exactly the self-promoting type) but I'll be brave and get out there...

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  11. Another thank you to you from me (I think you know how much I enjoy your blog) and every good wish that all your plans come to fruition.

    I'd love to enter your very generous giveaway please, given that we now have grandbaby Liam in our lives :)

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    1. Thanks Annie. Hope I remember to draw names out of the hat on Sunday! (Actually, I'm thinking of getting Joe to do it)...

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  12. I love that photo of the roses - so bright and vibrant against the blue sky. I hope everything goes well with your plans putting your creativity to good use - good luck with it all. And thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment - it's nice to meet you at last.

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    1. That's fine - I love how the blogging world introduces us all to one another :)

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  13. Lovely photos and words. It all makes perfect sense – I did the same when my first child was born and continue to fit bits of work around family life. I don't think I could go back to office life now. I wish you all the best with your ventures and it sounds as though you're going to be just fine. Yes please, I would love to enter your giveaway. Thank you.

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  14. I don't really have a small person in our lives for your generous giveaway so no need to include me, but I did want to leave a comment wishing you lots of luck and success in your new venture Sarah.

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    1. Thanks Gina. If only I could get a few extra hours out of each day - that would be wonderful!

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  15. I to enjoy your blog and thought that you was going to say you were stopping doing it, do I'm really pleased you aren't. Hope it all goes well in your new venture. I would love to enter your giveaway thank you for having this lovely idea. xx

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    1. Hello! No, I've no intention of stopping the blog :) If you email me directly with your own email address I can contact you should you be the winner of the giveaway. Good luck x

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  16. I think your plan is a good one. (I say this as I sit at a desk and wish I were home.) I wish you all the best.
    And yes, I would love to be entered in your giveaway!
    Many thanks for the chance.
    Dana

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  17. I don't think I've ever commented here before (though I did respond to one of your comments at the Quince Tree about the Magic Apple Tree book!) but I do enjoy your posts very much. and I also am relieved that you're still going to write here. Making money from your drawing skills is wonderful, exciting and working from home too. Especially lovely are your bird eggs and feathers.
    That's a most generous giveaway but please don't enter me for the draw, I'd feel a fraud seeing as it's my first appearance.
    Good luck to you Sarah with your ventures.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and commenting. And please don't think the giveaway isn't open to you. If you want me to add your name just email me directly and it'll go into the hat.
      Sarah :)
      PS I got that book for my Kindle ages ago and must get around to reading it!

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  18. Good luck with your new ventures; your photos and writing have always given me a lot of pleasure, so why not try and use them to supplement family resources. I don't know if we'll ever feel that we get the balance between work and mothering right, I suppose we've just got to muddle through and hope for the best. I would love to have the creative skills to do what you're doing but I don't, so it'll shortly be back to office politics, pointless meetings and uncomfortable shoes for me. And I would love to be included in your giveaway, thank you.

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    1. Hi Emma -
      I'm glad you enjoy the blog. And I used to spend meetings colouring in all the 'o', 'q', 'p', 'd's and so on in my notebooks. Never good when someone asked, 'And what do YOU think, Sarah?' I had absolutely no idea what they'd all been going on about...
      I hope work gets a little more interesting. Oh, and I find Clarks shoes a bit more forgiving - they're quite trendy these days!

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  19. Yes, please include me in your very generous giveaway draw! I like the sound of your plans to earn a bit of extra money. I do some bits and pieces myself but also work in an office where I frequently wish I could just leave and do the things I like doing all the time.

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    1. I used to hate that morning bus ride into Manchester, particularly on a sunny day, watching the countryside slowly disappear. I even considered trying to write a novel during the commute and my lunch breaks but I don't think fiction is my forte!

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  20. I am not usually a reader who comments, but I would really love to take part in your giveaway. Your initiative is to be admired! Sue.

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    1. Thank you Sue. Please email me your contact details and I'll let you know directly if you win.
      Oh, and thank you for commenting - it's nice to meet readers!

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  21. Whoo how exciting even though this is my first visit to your blog and I am only small at heart I would love to win my name (Nic) with flowers round it. Looking forward to popping in to read about your life again soon (once I've done a few things on the to-do list...)

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    1. Hello! I'll enter you into the giveaway. And I'm glad you enjoy the blog. Could you email me your details in case you win?
      Thanks :)

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  22. As one who has just started a new adventure in work and being my own boss, good luck with your new venture, your drawings are beautiful and it would be lovely to have one.

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    1. And good luck with your nursery! It sounds wonderful - I'd love to do something similar. If you ever need staff (you know, when you expand due to your roaring success) let me know! We're planning on moving north of the border as soon as we get the opportunity...
      Consider yourself entered into the giveaway too:)

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  23. I do so love your blog Sarah. Wishing you every success in your new venture - the snippets of your work I've seen on the blog so far are wonderful! I'd love to own a Hardman original. I hope you are able to carve out the creative time for yourself xx

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  24. Ah the whole balancing the money and the creative love thing, such a hard thing. Whatever you have up your sleeve the very best of luck and love with it.
    And entering for Kitty x

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  25. I love reading your blog, I'm glad it is staying the same, but also pleased that there is a whole new avenue opening for you. I would love to win for my little girl! I'm in a similar situation, not wanting to go back to what I did, but I haven't quite figured out what I am going to do yet! I hope it goes really well for you :-)

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  26. Yes please, I love your blog and would like to enter the giveaway ! Barb

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  27. love your blog and following your journey. I would be entering for Kezia, thankyou x

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  28. Good luck with your endeavours. Just keep plugging away and you'll be surprised where it takes you! I would love to be entered for your draw. Thank you xx

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  29. I love reading your blog and looking at your beautiful photographs, so yes I would like to enter. thank you and I wish you great luck in your new endeavor !!!

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  30. I'm so pleased for you, it all sounds great and you've made lots of headway already. Knowing what you want is half the battle. I was so relieved when I finally realised that working from the home wasn't what I wanted, and being out and about and around people is. I'm sorry I missed this giveaway but I'm happy to see such a strong response to your talent. xx

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