Making money from a hobby is an interesting concept. I had a couple of thoughts.
Ideally we are working in an area that interests us- whether that is for an employer or not
I worked in a scientific field for many years, as a child I was fired up by scientific ideas, at secondary school I absorbed science information like a sponge and did a degree in that area. I went on to work in a science environment doing work I enjoyed.
I could argue that I was paid to do a " hobby".
I would have been rubbish as an actuary or a political analyst as I find these subjects dull, but others may thrive surrounded by these subjects.
The idea of making money from a hobby is not well understood,.
I " make money from a hobby", I work from home.
It may have started as a hobby , and it is an area that I enjoy, but a hobby suggests a very relaxed way of working- which my work is not.
The idea that we put the kettle on, flick though pinterest, get out some glue or wool, faff about a bit, make something pretty, put on some glitter job done.
The reality is quite different.
My product range contains about 80 items. Twenty or so are my biggest sellers.
I am constantly developing new products, trying new ideas, some don'e work, some do.
In a week I make and sell 300 items. This means - although hand made- batch production, at this point it is not a " hobby". Although the aesthetics is always pleasant there is a big degree of repetitive work, and everything has to be packed and posted, customer queries answered, a constant round of ordering materials online, trips to local suppliers and deliveries.
My hobby has led to my work.
My work is not my hobby. It is my work. My immediate neighbours think I either don't work, or see me wandering around the woods with a camera around my neck thinking I must be one of those "kept women"- no doubt!!
To denigrate that to the idea of " macrame toilet seat covers" is insulting and misogynistic.
Mothers often find it hard to gain a foothold and stay on track in employment. In my case a sickly child and no family support meant it was difficult for me to resume my career after having children.
Women who are savvy enough to find ways of working from home or find a part or full time income as self employed should be congratulated- not denigrated.
And to write these activities off because they may be creative in nature is ignorant.
Does anyone actually "need" perfume or eye liner or an apple watch?
And yet somehow people working for Marc Jacobs or Apple are deemed to have " proper" jobs- because why? Because they are working for "proper" male structured companies in the "real " world?
Please don't denigrate other women like this.
Women who try to do things for themselves should be supported , not denigrated and mocked.