Well it has been about 6 months since my last post - and during that time I have completely stepped back from all things Jewellery. The last year or so has been extremely hard for a number of reasons....but the main one being the financial climate and the affect it had on me both personally and with regard to the business and the family. So there have been some necessary changes.
The main and most important one being that I now have 'a day job' - working as a medical receptionist. This I have had since March, and prior to that from January to March I was working as a temp at the Path Lab in the local hospital. It became apparent over the last 18 months that, despite all my efforts, I was not going to earn sufficient income to support my family from my jewellery business. The new income received from my job has enabled us to sort a lot of things out and we are now back on a firmer financial footing.
Due to the hardships experienced earlier, it did cause me to 'fall out of love' with my jewellery and the making of it.....something that I thought would never happen.....and after a little reflection and period of mourning that also coincided with the acquiring of a fore mentioned 'employment'....I decided to just 'let go' of my attachment to my jewellery and my creativity, and to just focus on my new job and getting the home/finances/family all back in order.
6 Months on, after a complete 'hands off' all things jewellery and a definite avoidance of the studio at the bottom of the garden.....I am now starting to return to my jewellery making. I have been to market with existing stock, and whilst initially feeling that I didn't want to be there, I am now enjoying it again and feeling less like it is something I have to move away from, but more and once again like it is part of me that I do need to embrace.....but with some changes.
So whilst I am now able again to create jewellery - both from the heart and financial perspectives.....I want to ensure that I don't ever lose my love for it again. And whilst I am retaining my self-employed status and I will continue to trade and make jewellery......I am reverting back to 'hobby' rather than 'business', thereby taking some of the pressure off myself. I am also only going to be making jewellery that I like and want to make - I am sure that for every piece I create there is a person out there to give it a good home and love wearing it. I am not going to be governed by season or commercial high days and holidays, or focusing on what will 'bring in the money'. The whole point of my making jewellery is that I just wanted to make jewellery because the creative process and intent gives me pleasure and is part of me. Focusing on the business side of things took me away from that - hence the return to 'hobby status'.
I am also going to allow myself to not accept commissions and to stop doing the fingerprint stuff.....which to be honest I never really enjoyed doing. If I feel inclined to do the odd commission then that is okay too - but I don't want to feel that 'I have to' because 'we need the money'. All I ask of my jewellery making is that it is 'self sufficient' - that it will afford me the next pack of PMC, packaging, hallmarking etc and the next trading event, that it will fund some metal clay courses that I would so love to attend, and that in time I may start teaching the odd workshop here and there.
I quoted to a musical friend just the other evening...."You have to experience what you are not, to remember who you are".......and I believe I have done this over the last 6-9 months. I have stepped back and evaluated my business and my mindset over the last 3 years......and I have come to the conclusion that it is just about the making of the jewellery and my love for it........and as long as I stick with that......then both me and my jewellery will be okay.
So watch this space......because some new pieces will be coming very soon.
Bright Blessings to all.
