Rochelle's Stash Adoption Project

You know what it is like. You've found lacemaking and the bug has bit hard and you really think that is all you want to do from now on. Which is great, you're among friends. The trouble is, all those other things sitting in the cupboard that you wanted to do at the time but now you want to do lace.

It's tools, fabric, kits (Fox catalogue anyone else guilty?) and bibs and bobs and you really want to do them because you bought them and that's an investment of money and you might have even started them and that's an investment of time and your talent, but should you? They make you feel guilty and as though you have failed and that's not the case at all. You can choose your own path.

We know life is too short. It's too precious to spend doing things we only feel so so about. In fact, with our other commitments, our hobby time is so valuable we should not have anything sitting staring at us with reproach because it remains unstarted when all we really want to do is make lace (and whatever else brings you true joy).

I'm speaking from experience. I have been so good. I have used up cupboards worth of supplies - fabric, crafts and remember all those fleeces? But has it brought me joy? I've been very satisfied with the results, and it has been nice to say my family has worn handknitted handspun jumpers and hand sewn clothes, but my lace has suffered.

I'm not saying throw it all away in a broad sweeping declutterring motion to rival all. I can't bear the thought.

What I am going to offer is an adoption service if you like. You can surrender your unwanted stash to me and I will rehome it. I have multiple ways of finding homes, not the least of which my lolly/gift shop, which is developing a name for having handmade products. I can also sell online through my website and through ebay. I know the value of tools and supplies, I can get a fair price and will take care of them so they can be enjoyed by someone else when they leave here and go to their new home.

I don't expect anyone to give anything away. I see two options of redeeming some of the financial investment you put into it all. First, I would be offering an up front payment of approx 50% of new for a new unopened untouched product/kit or lesser depending on the condition. Second, you could sell it on consignment through me and receive 2/3's of the final sale price when it sells. I would need you to cover postage in the first instance, but it could be reimbursed afterwards when payment is finalised.

With the advent of mobile phones and digital cameras, it would be very easy to lay everything out on a bed and take some photos or a video. You can then send it to me to see what you have and what it might be worth to you to put it up for adoption. Don't for one moment think that because it is half done or acrylic or a budget brand that it would not sell. There are a lot of people who are new to craft who are quite excited about having something nearly finished that they can spend one weekend on to learn how to do it and have a finished product fast. It is a good introduction to craft for those who have not done it before and helps to swell the ranks. Likewise, a garbage bag of yarn can make a lot of Wraps With Love for new knitters at a Knit In.

Obviously for those of you who are downsizing or dealing with deceased estates, I'm hoping this will be a real service. Spread the word.

If you have some things you want to have rehomed, please contact me directly. My email is rochellels@yahoo.com.au (cut and paste that into your address bar if your email system does not pick up my email address at the top of this email). Naturally I will need new homes, so anyone can contact me directly if they are looking for something in the future and I will put together a page on my own website of items for adoption.

It's something to think about. How would you rather spend your time, doing what you should or doing what you want?