about earthlimited
Earthlimited had humble beginnings a very long time ago—way back in high school when I had my first job at the local greasy spoon. As I washed pots and pans, I dreamed of being my own boss, setting my own time schedule, and choosing my own projects. If I had known then what I know now, I might have gone into retail. But to be honest, my worst days as a self-employed person have been right up there with my best days as an employee.
I've worked at several nature centers, environmental education centers, and parks over the years. In the late 1980s, I found myself a mostly stay-at-home mom, spending hours doing things that would just need to be done again (e.g., laundry, meals, dishes, floors). I needed to do something that would last! And I needed to do it out of my home, during naps, late at night, and with my kids by my side. (Note: I know that being a mom is a job with long-lasting effects and benefits. However, my housekeeping standards left me with some extra time on my hands, and I had every intention of keeping my kids in the loop on the projects that I would tackle.)
I had enjoyed sewing since high school. Except for that hideous pant suit I made in Home Ec, my sewing projects had been successful. I figured that might be a good place to begin so I started doing simple "interpretive sewing projects" for area nature centers. It grew from there to small miscellaneous projects. Then I started looking at grants and Requests for Proposals for curriculum projects. Word spread and work started to find me. The official beginning of the company was June 1, 1989, but I think the first year that I actually made money was 1995. There have been a few times that I was busy enough to quit my day jobs, but this kind of work is pretty much feast or famine.
Oh, about the kids. I think my plan worked. They have been involved in almost every project that earthlimited has tackled (e.g., illustrating garden activities, counting beads, editing everything, sorting deer bones, collating Wildcards, brainstorming ideas, inventing string cutters, and coloring game pieces). They have been the only and the best employees that a mom could ever want! They are grown up now, but I still call them up to ask for their input and creative ideas. They are usually the first ones to see a new design or to edit my writing. I'm fairly sure they will give me an honest opinion. After all, families are meant to keep one humble.