Women doing their bit

Is it me or is everything becoming expensive these days?  I went to buy some wool today and after adding up how much it would cost me to make a jumper I realised that it would be 3 times more expensive than if I just bought one ready made.  What has happened?  I remember the days when it was cheaper to make something than to buy it, now I guess it is more about the act of making something than about saving money.  I found it rather fitting when I came across an article this morning in the Herald Sun about how women are stepping up and doing whatever they can to increase their household income.

I could relate to this article, with 3 children in school and a never ending stream of bills in the mailbox each day, I have found myself doing just that.  Like the tens of thousands of other women out there heading back to work, taking on second jobs and selling things online, I have found myself working longer hours and making items to sell in an attempt to stave off the ever increasing cost of living.  According to the ING Direct Financial Wellbeing Index, only 42% of Victorians experienced an increase in their incomes (which was the lowest percentage in Australia).  This, coupled with the higher cost of living has resulted in women looking at different ways to supplement their income.  As an independent, hard working women I found it encouraging to read an article written by male journalist, Neil Keene, which acknowledged that women had a lot to offer and were stepping up to regain control of their household debt. 

My thoughts now turn to beading and how I have over the years managed to earn enough money through my creations to supplement our household income and keep debt at bay.  I am constantly looking at new ways to create ‘masterpieces’ – which is why I have started up this blog, to inspire others like me.  Beading can be a fairly inexpensive way to make items to sell, all you need is the desire and inspiration.  If you, like me, are looking at ways to supplement your household income I would encourage you to start taking your beading seriously.  In Africa, generations of women have been keeping their families afloat from the income they earn selling their beadwork.  Perhaps we can learn from them.