Signs of hope are everywhere. Hope is always present. Sometimes we have to search for it but it is always there.
It has been about two and a half months since the last time I wrote.
Since the last time I wrote, the world changed…
and asked me to stay home.
I isolated for years before it was cool. I practiced the “safer at home” way of life before it was a thing, before it was the respectful thing to do, before we were told to do it to protect ourselves from the Corona virus. I was a pro.
I have been staying home for over two months now and am ready (most of the time) to be with people (most people). I need (most) people but at the same time I am also nervous to go out into the world. I fear meeting, to me ignorant and selfish people, who refuse to wear a facemask. I think wearing a face mask adds a layer of protection for all of us and I believe face masks represent a symbol of love, care and respect for other people in the world. I worked very hard to be alive and staying healthy. It is my time to shine and live a good life. I am ready for it and will do anything and everything to make that happen. I do not want to get sick with the Corona virus.
Last week I was finally allowed to see my beautiful nine month old granddaughter Leora again. She is my greatest joy and love and has my heart.
Before the Corona virus happened I began doing my art again and preparing handmade items to sell at a local craft show, for the first time in my life. I was busy creating art and was enjoying it tremendously. Of course because of Covid 19, my craft show got cancelled, so I opened up an Etsy shop and began the long process of putting my art on Etsy.
One day, I got an email from Etsy asking people to make masks. Well, I can sew so this was a no brainer. I began googling tutorials on how to best make masks and as they say, the rest is history.
I’ve been sewing masks for people in my family, for local people and for people on Etsy now since the end of March. I have sold 134 masks on Etsy and made approximately $2000. I have also sold over 70 masks for family, friends and other people locally. Some of those were sold for a lower fee than my Etsy orders and many I make for free.
This has been my part-time job since the end of March and I have been making the limit that SSDI allows. I can only keep my Etsy store open for a few days before I have to remove my mask listings because I get too many orders for the month. It has been a blessing for me financially that is for sure. It has also been a fantastic distraction as I stay inside following the safer at home guidelines.
My mental health has been okay. It has been fantastic many days, but other days I must work hard to stay mentally and physically healthy. It is difficult for me to know what is normal. Maybe this is how it is for most people during this difficult time. Overall, I am doing well.
I am always so very thankful that God has given me another chance at life–to live my life to the fullest. He has given me the opportunity to make my children proud of me which is my greatest goal.
After people do not need my masks anymore, I pray I can sell other items on Etsy. So, when my mask making slows down I plan to make and list many more items.
One of my goals is to have a large listing of items for mental health recovery with inspirational cards, magnets and buttons and much more. I have a few items like that and have more to add when I get time. Currently, I have most listings as downloadable prints and cards for $2.00 or $3.00 each. Please check it out if you would like.
The name of my Etsy shop is… Signs of Hope and More. If you are on the Etsy page (Etsy.com) just type SignsofHopeandMore with no spaces and it will bring you to my store or here is the direct link…
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SignsofHopeandMore
I used Adobe Illustrator to make my logo and banner. I took a class over ten years ago and taught myself how to do it again and am still learning–trying to get better.
If you visit my shop you will notice the masks are not currently there as I had to remove them temporarily until I catch up. I have bout 20 masks to make locally and then I will finally be caught up again and will list my masks again.
You can find a few mental health recovery downloadable prints. As I mentioned I will try to add more very soon and will let you know when I do. Here are a couple samples.
Here are samples of some of my masks. If you need a mask let me know and I will try to work something out for you.
Thank you for reading. I missed writing and I missed all of you. I want to get back to writing and reading. Hopefully, I can figure out how to manage my time better and make time to write again. It is healthy and therapeutic for me to write.
I am also finally ready to self publish my completed memoir. For those of you that have been following me, you might know that I attempted to publish my memoir the old fashioned way. After one traditional publishing company was interested in my manuscript and asked me to send my entire manuscript to them I was over the moon excited about it. They declined publishing my memoir but gave me ideas of how to improve it, so I diligently rewrote my memoir and resubmitted my memoir back to them and also to a few other publishers. I decided I would give it one more try the traditional route.
They declined my memoir but am happy I gave it very best shot. I worked hard on it and now I am totally ready to self publish.
If anyone can help me self publish my book and has advice for the best route to take I would be very appreciative. I can’t spend a fortune as I do not have one. lol.
In your opinions, who is the best self publisher out there? I am open to any help I can get.
The title of my book is: SHAME ATE MY SOUL. It is titled that because you know what? Shame did eat my soul but I got it back and I am still fighting to live a happy, productive and love-filled life and stay mentally and physically healthy.
Recovery is possible. I am living proof. You too can be the living proof. Let’s all keep fighting and be THE LIVING PROOF.
Today I have my first appointment with my psychiatrist over the phone. I am a little nervous for it for some reason. It is in about an hour.
If you have read my many words, you are amazing and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Stay safe, be well and be kind.
By the way I hope you visit my Etsy shop and like it and…
if you need some hope…
you will find it at…
Signs of Hope and More.
Seriously though I always hope your days are filled with hope, love and peace.
Much love always,
Sue
Copyright © 2020 by Susan Walz of My Loud Whispers of Hope
My Loud Whispers of Hope 