Bohtieque Design

No, I’m not quitting my day job

A lot of us on Etsy have full-time day jobs outside of our art or craft–I mean, considering the numbers, we’d have to, right? Although there are days I’d love to close the classroom door, walk away and never come back, just the thought of how I’d make my mortgage payment and juggle the rest of the bills leaves me queasy.

And then I think about what else I’d be leaving:  the kids.  I teach high school English and journalism, and despite the almost never conquered pile of papers, I still have Ideas daily about what I could tweak to improve my classes, my lessons and my job. (Capitalization on “I” intended, people.  I may believe there are never enough proofreaders available in the world, but I’d like to think that the sentence I announce that I’m an English teacher isn’t followed by a capitalization error, of all things.)

The kids fulfill my need to connect, to guide and even to inspire once in a while. The problem is, even though I know that there are some inspirational moments sprinkled in there with all the many struggles, I most often don’t even know until years later, if ever.

So, Bohtieque and Etsy meet my need for instant gratification.  You know…like those nice convos and feedbacks left by super sweet people who really seem to appreciate what you do.  Sellers, you know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

I could probably quit my day job, I imagine, considering my husband does have a full-time job with benefits, but do I want to?  No.  Despite being tired and sometimes not being treated too nicely by the latest 16-year-old with an attitude, I still enjoy seeing the spark of interest lighting up students’ eyes when they discover something new.

Yep, sometimes it’s nice to think about trading my cold, disheveled classroom for a warm, bright, inviting studio, but I think I’ll pass. Etsy, I’m not going to take my day job and shove it, but thanks.