My First Custom Order

 I had just received my first custom order, which happened to be another dinosaur and a unicorn, and my anxiety kicked in. I wanted this order to turn out amazing. I didn't want my friend to feel like I over charged her for two stuffed animals that weren't what she had in mind.

It was my good friend Kacy's sister, Lindsy, who placed this custom order and because I am the type of person to always want to give, I considered just accepting the challenge and sending the end product to her for free. After all, they were going to be gifts for Kacy's children. Of course my husband convinced me not to send them for free and when I asked around in an attempt to figure out a fair price, the individuals solicited for advice convinced me to sell and not send them for free. To this day, pricing an item always stumbles me. Lindsy told me to charge her for my time and supplies; she wanted it to be worth my while to complete her order, basically don't cheat myself for my work. 

I got to work researching patterns and coming up with ideas. When I found a different dinosaur pattern than the original one I used for my nephew's dinosaur and a challenging looking unicorn pattern, I quickly went to Joanns to buy the perfect colored yarn for these two. 

To say I was excited was an understatement, I was ecstatic! This was going to be my first order so it needed to be perfect. I wanted my finished products to look good enough to show off, not just to my family and friends, but also to Kacy's family and friends and to the online world, which can be brutal with critique. 

I crocheted all day, nonstop to finish these two stuffed animals. I crocheted with such determination and ferocity that the tips of my fingers felt raw and numb and I woke up the following morning with cramped hands. The outcome was worth this temporary discomfort. This order turned out amazing! 

Months later I went back home to visit my family and friends. It felt so marvelous when I went to Kacy's house and as I was in her daughter's room, her daughter showed off her toys to me, she enthusiastically searched through the pile of dolls on her bed and showed me the unicorn I crocheted for her. The excitement in her eyes as she showed off her unicorn touched my heart and made me extremely happy. She gave me the courage and the confidence to consider selling more handmade gifts.

Happy crocheting my friends!