Free At Last (And A Giveaway!)

Sooooo.... after working for other people since I was 13 years old (at my summer job at Foster's Freeze), I am finally flying solo! This is the first Monday that I haven't gotten in the car and gone to a day job in as long as I can remember. I celebrated on Friday night with beer, whiskey, and champagne (a combination my liver did not appreciate, and not one that I am endorsing, but, hey, that's the way it went! What can I say, it was the Eve of May Day!) and a whole lotta dancing. 

 

 
Even though I was looking forward to this moment for, literally, months (I ended up giving two whole months notice at my job), I am surprised at the power of the shift. I find myself cleaning the house top to bottom and making tons of lists. I find myself reorganizing my whole concept of what a day can be, what my summer can be, what my life can be- what is a true priority? What do I want to accomplish here on planet earth? What of my talents (writing, music, film, art) should I nurture? What do I truly have time to do? I also find myself grieving the many years I spent under-stimulated and creatively unsatisfied at my various jobs. In some moments I find myself scared that suddenly all of the vintage in the state of California will dry up overnight and leave me back at square one. But most of all, I am excited like a child who is embarking on a huge adventure. 

Although my father and I have no hard evidence that our Bohemian ancestors were "boho" in the modern usage of the term, we always agree that we are wanderers, explorers, and gypsies at heart, and we both love being our own boss. If you were inside my head, and had an inkling of the amount of ideas and inspiration I have on a daily basis, you would understand why I had to get out of an uncreative Day Job- I go nuts if I can't realize at least a small part of these dreams! My little Etsy store lets me be outside with the birds and the trees and the river. It lets me use my intuition in the Hunting and Gathering of vintage treasures. It lets me share writing and pictures with the whole wide world. It let me meet interesting people, from my neighbors right down the street to penpals living on the other side of the planet. The "Art" photo shoots are a great excuse to get together with friends old and new, and co-create. I love being in the Flow, and running a shop is my way of tapping into this.

I have you, my beloved blog readers and customers, to thank for this. Without you I doubt I would have had the courage to believe in myself. I have my family to thank (Chris, my husband, who cooked dinner every weeknight for two years! My mom and dad and all of my in-laws!) for being unwaveringly enthusiastic and supportive. Thanks to my bosses and dear friends from my former job at Whitewater Naturopathic Medicine, Greg and Carolyn, who were so flexible with my hours, and who championed my transition to doing my Own Thing 100%, even though it is a big bummer to lose an employee. And of course I have my friend Amber (at Violet Folklore) to thank, because it was she who first convinced me that I could make a living doing this!

*************************************************************************************** 

I want to give something back to all of you, so I am having a GIVEAWAY! 

*************************************************************************

Here's the deal. Leave a comment here with some positive/constructive feedback about my shop and/or my blog-- what do you like? what do you want to see more of? is there something you wish I would write about? Something you wish I would carry in my shop? It can be short and simple or long-winded, however you feel, just keep it practical. (I love practical.) This comment will be your official entry. 

On Friday morning, May 9th, I will choose a name at random, and that winner will receive a $50 credit in my shop. The $50 must be used right away, and yes, that does include the cost of postage. International fans can definitely enter!

Thanks again for all of your support, and GOOD LUCK! 

Comments

[Sarah Louise]

I like your blog, I just wish you updated more! I'm sure you'll have time to update more working from home, though. You have a nice variety of posts which is always good on any blog, I think.

Thanks for the great giveaway and I wish you so much luck for the future! <3

[heather]

this is wildly wonderfully generous of you and i love the spirit of freedom and joy that surrounds you right now! i am so so happy for you that you are doing your very own thing in your very own way and i know things are going to go swimmingly! i personally think you are doing it ALL RIGHT...from the varied topics of your posts (punk rock to herbs to classic film and records to ultra feminine dresses, a combintation that makes my heart swirl in glee!) to the most lovely and perfect vintage gems you find to the style and grace of both your photographs and writing. i can't think of any particular thing i'd like to see more of...just your wonderful amazingness continuing on and on!

[Milla]

I'm excited for you! Now that you have more time to pursue creativity, fun and self-nourishment it'll be exciting for us readers and customers to follow your journey. Enjoy the ride. Merry transition and belated Mayday!

[andrea gutierrez]

sasha--this is such a free-ing post. i remembered when i left the world of 9a-5p to have and be with my daughter everything changed. now that she is older i've been able to tap into my creative, nature loving, stay at home momma said and i love it!
things get tight financially and there is always the issue of going back to work since nat is in school all day and i would always dread. once i was 'free' i didn't want to go back to something that was going to squash me creatively. right now with my health being all messed up we've put away the idea of me going back. not that i want my health to be bad (because i don't like what's going on) it is nice to be HERE :)
well done my friend, well done!

[Doneoveroff]

I love that this post is like a manifesto of things to come! It's such a positive statement you're making for all of us creative folk.
I really like your location blogging too, like the shoots at Bridgewater and Empire State Mine. Local flavour is such a great part of Etsy!

Yay to you and the newly free State of Sasha! xx

[Daphne]

I love the photos so much... you evoke such a story with the outfits you put together! and super-duper congratulations!! So excited for you! I guess my only input would be to offer more accessories. Us busty girls can't always fit into those little itty bitty vintage dresses, but accessories fit everyone. :)

[Amanda / Rust Belt Threads]

Congratulations of finally being free! When I first started selling on etsy last year, I found your old co-owned shop, Violet Folklore, and fell in love with it instantly. The photo shoots there and at your new shop are so amazingly creative that you can tell you put 100% into it. Have you ever thought about seeking out vintage housewares or home decor for the shop? With your taste, I'm sure you could find some really great stuff! I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure :)

[MJ]

What a wonderful time in your life!

I love your pictures they are soo fun and love the nature theme. It is different from so many other sellers of vintage (including myself).

I am not really sure I would change anything about your shop, you have found your niche!

[Lindsey]

Sasha, I am so lucky to have found Violet Folklore and then Astral Boutique because your blog posts and shop updates really do brighten up my days! I love reading about your exciting adventures and photoshoots. AND I cannot even begin to tell you how much i love every item I have purchased from your shop! You put so much care into picking out each item and packaging it that I feel so happy and overjoyed whenever I break into the package and wear my new item. I think it would be really cool i you took some pics of the stores where you find the items for the boutique. I loved the post about the Gunne Sax parade and the vintage boutique in San Francisco where the parade began. I am thinking about colleges in San Francisco and I would love to know about all of the amazing vintage shops there! I am so excited to find more gorgeous pieces in your shop in the future!!!

[lindsay]

congratulations!! i always love the photos...you show the clothes so clearly, but with additional beautiful creative flair.

xo