Working for yourself can be lonely at times, and trying to come up with new things every day can become exhausting, along with promotions, meetings, bookings and everything that goes with being a self-employed jewellery maker and photographer.
Although I’ve recently had some fabulous luck with the photography side of the business, I’ve come to a bit of a dead end with my jewellery. It seems that when it’s up close, and people can see it, touch it and feel it, it sells incredibly well – but online is a totally different story – and of course, online sales are what you need in this business to boost your income.
When I re-launched my jewellery, I had to do it quite quickly – and although I was able to spend time on the photography side of my business, building a brand, getting a feel to what I do – I was kind of thrown in at the deep-end with my jewellery – having received a large order, I spent some 100 hours in a week making and making until my fingernails were all broken, and I had blisters on my hands from using the pliers so much! I’d then, as I thought at the time, run out of time…the deadline I’d set myself had been and gone, so I quickly photographed what was left of my jewellery, with no rhyme or reason and listed it online. I think this is where I fell down!
Creative people, as you will no doubt know, have so much going in their heads, and I find that whilst I’m working on my current project, I’m busy plotting and planning my next project – I get inspired so easily, I only need to see a picture…or take a walk with the dog, and I’m off on some tangent that may or may not come to full fruition.
Put simply – I need to re-focus. I need to stop and take stock.
I will be branding my jewellery over the next few weeks, working on hand-made boxes, earring cards, etc – and also a brand new style of jewellery in feel and look. I’m really excited about it, and will of course be showing what happens through this blog.
