Quitting (one of) my day jobs

In addition to running my Etsy shop and homeschooling, I've worked a part time job as a local registrar for the past 11 years. Basically I've been the person who receives, checks and registers death certificates in my local area - its kind of like a notary but only working with one kind of document. Its been relatively easy work but I'm finding that as my jewelry business grows and the boys get older (and some of the subjects more complicated), I need to find more time in my day and the registrar job is the thing that I can go.

And today is my last day. Its seems a bit foolish perhaps to quit a job with a nice, little but nice, paycheck but I think its time to take another step, put more time and attention to my work and see where it takes me.

Fragment post carved earrings are a strong seller in my Etsy shop - here's a bracelet spin off. The necklace isn't ready but will feature a magnetic clasp thats totally hidden.

Have a great weekend - I'll be in the studio trying to stay warm!

A SALE and serious thoughts on my birthday

Its my birthday and I'll have a sale if I want to! Use coupon code BDAY1 to get 20% off any in stock item in the Etsy shop today only! (no minimum purchase, does not apply to custom orders)

I can be a bit haphazard. Sometimes that means I "wing it" pretty well but other times, I fear, it just means I'm disorganized. Maybe it depends on the situation but looking objectively, at my work since 2007, I think its about time that I start to get more concise, building collections instead of darting around in a design sense.

It means slowing down, drawing more, planning more, setting goals. I'm ready. 

The Black Sheep necklace has become Shimmer sheep, with a variety of metallic neutrals. Its 50 inches long so you can wear it three ways - long as shown, doubled for a short necklace or knotted for a focal point. Coming soon… three strand matching bracelets for Black Sheep and Shimmer Sheep. 

Its about time

I finally got around to the hard work of completing my "About" page on Etsy. Why do I drag my feet on things like this? I don't know - uncomfortableness with talking about myself?  Its like exercise, writing about oneself. I don't necessarily enjoy it at the beginning but when its done I realize it was good for me because for some reason writing words about what I make helps me better understand what I make and why I make it.

Realizing that I could take bits of information from my website and elsewhere on my Etsy shop and just reconfigure, helped me get the job done because I didn't have to start from scratch.

I just finally started hanging artwork I've been collecting specifically for my studio. From left to right: print by Belinda Marshall, vintage map of one of my favorite parts of the world, photo by Merl Strunk taken of my husband while we were in college. I have some more prints, sitting in the foreground with the hammer, that need to be hung.

Needing to take the accompanying photos prompted a good clean up for my polymer work table too. So I guess its a win-win.

You can go here in my Etsy shop if you'd like to read a little more about me.

My husband made the earring storage/display piece for me by running wire around an antique wooden box. I have most of my finished work stored out of sight but I feel like I'd like to have my work out where I can see it. 

New on the horizon

Happy New Year to all of you! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

I spent January 1, 2014 getting my Big Cartel shop up and running. Eventually I'd like to make this the shop that links from my website. Once I learn to customize it even more (or I should say once my daughter helps me customize it more) it should be a seamless transition for shopping from that location.

I won't be closing the Etsy shop anytime soon though because there is just too much traffic there and I'm hoping that having two shops will provide more benefit than it makes work.

My ankle is on the mend and I've started 6 weeks of physically therapy that will help me regain my strength and full use of the joint. Thanks to everyone who emailed to wish me well!