What, October already?

I can’t believe how fast September whizzed by!  My head is spinning!  This September was a big milestone for me – it marked my 1 year anniversary as a full time artist.  It also prompted a  bit of reflection and a serious reality check.  I am happy to report that I survived the reality check.  Making a living as an artist is not an easy thing, and as I head into my second year, I had to pause and make sure that I am not running headlong into disaster.  And I may be, since I am “of a certain age” and now without medical insurance.  But on the bright side, that is the only negative (yes, I know, it’s a very big one, but I’m working on finding a plan) thing I could find.  I still absolutely love what I am doing and wake up inspired each day.  I am much healthier – my blood pressure is way down and I’m (finally!!) losing weight.  My business is still growing by leaps and bounds, and my biggest problem is figuring out how to produce more jewelry in less time while not neglecting  the various ho-hum accounting and paperwork chores too badly.  I am happily planning for additions to my business such as teaching workshops on a regular basis, and I’m steadily increasing the number of galleries and shops that carry my work.   In the end, happiness with my daily life and the freedom to create is more important to me than the financial security that a “day job” brings.   Unfortunately I did have to forgo attending the Jewelry Artist’s Network retreat this year which was a difficult and painful decision, but necessary at this point in time.  I will be there in spirit, if not in body, and am already planning how to swing it next year.

One of the things l love most about my business is the wonderful people that I meet through my shops on Etsy and 1000 Markets.  I received an inquiry a couple of weeks ago from Natalia, the author of a wonderful fashion blog  in the UK called Fashion Titbits who wanted to feature my Etsy shop in an article.  I love  international customers, and am always looking for ways to draw more attention to my work from overseas, so I jumped at the chance to be featured.  She did a lovely interview and is featuring several photos of my work. There is a giveaway as well – anyone can enter today through next Saturday, October 10th.  The winner will be announced on the 11th.  If you love a good fashion blog, (and giveaways, too!) do be sure and pay a visit to Fashion Titbits! 

I particularly loved one  of her posts from this summer, titled ‘Style Secrets A to Z’  What an interesting insight into fashionable pleasures from an international point of view.  Her pick of Bruges, Belgium for “B” reminded me that I need to go back there.  I passed through on a train ride from Amsterdam to Calais, and was positively enthralled.   Alas, we did not have time to explore at all since we only had a few minutes to switch trains.   This gorgeous city is full of history, fabulous architecture and yummy chocolate – I’m ready to pack my bags!

I wanted to post a picture of the new hummingbird ring design I’m working on, but didn’t get a chance to work on it today.  However, I did finish this custom order for a customer which I just love – a lovely brass dragon with a tourmaline and garnet set in 14kt gold.  I’m also working on a dragon ring for another customer that will be her engagement ring – I can’t wait to finish that one, too!