Un-retired
How I found my way back to business
I used to be retired, but I recently found my way back into business.
When I relocated to Martha’s Vineyard, I arrived exhausted, a burned-out mess. I had sold my business and thought I needed to be retired, completely. So I set up a studio, and got back to doing my favorite thing: stitching. But I was alone there, and that wasn’t working for me.
I was missing being with people and tried to think of ways to connect with other makers without actually starting a whole new business. Long before I sold Altman’s Needlearts, I talked a lot about wanting to build a School of Stitchery. Forget the merchandise, just teach and be with people.
While I possess numerous skills, I’m not really a master of anything. But I have a ton of experience making things and teaching needlework, and I have always enjoyed all of it. Teaching seemed like a great way to move forward.
So I got to work on my newest venture, The Stitchery MV.
Last weekend, while I was just sitting & stitching alone in my studio, a woman came to the door, tried it, and gently opened it, peeking her head in with wide-eyed curiosity. I met her there, as a fierce wind blew the door open with a bang. What an entrance! (It’s a sign!)
“What is this place? What do you do in here? Is this a store?”
I vaguely explained, “I sew, I do needlework, all kinds. It’s not a store, I just have a lot of stuff.” She smiled, her curiosity growing.
“Do you sew, like, clothes?” I turned off the radio and invited her further into the space.
“I just stitch for my own pleasure: clothes, needlepoint, some hand piecing and quilting, whatever I’m in the mood for. And I teach.”
“You teach?!” She was excited.
“Yes!” Her big smile really cheered me up.
She told me about wanting to get back into sewing clothes for the same reasons most of us do—better options, better fitting, more individuality and creativity, and saving money. I told her I’d be delighted to help with that, showing her my big cutting table and the sewing table. It’s not enough for group classes, but it’s perfect for one person to work. I wished I had been ready with the information she wanted about classes and prices.
“My new website should be up in a few weeks, with all the details.”
As she wrote down her email address, another pleasant conversation ensued. She was eager to go to the West Tisbury Library to rent a sewing machine so she could get started ASAP.
Leaving, she said with a huge grin, “I’m sooooo happy this is not a store!”
“Me too!” I nearly yelled.
This interaction filled me with so much happiness that I knew for sure I was on the right track. After that, I smiled for probably an hour. And realized I’d better get the website up and running—people are waiting!
I’m so happy to be (almost) back. I’m looking forward to being with people who would like to learn new skills or improve the ones they have, or just want to hang out and stitch in a random group. I will not miss having a store that I must keep open every day.
Who knows where all this will go? I’m not worried.
I think I’m going to like being un-retired!
We are thrilled you found your way. What a lovely, inspirational essay.
SO grateful you're un-retired!