I’m a retired English professor with degrees in literature, not a business major, and I taught full-time at one university for 30 years.  I retired in 2011 and am now teaching part-time.  So how did I end up as a jewelry artist with her own business? I never saw myself as having any connection with business, not at all — yet I’m having to learn about business as the owner of a small business (even a hobby business). So much to learn, to refine!

I’ve always had hobbies that gave me creative outlets — sewing, especially, and photography.  I’ve taken ceramics classes and watercolor workshops, kept sketching/watercolor notebooks as I travel.  Travel is also essential to me, and it is creative in ways many don’t think about.

Not that teaching isn’t creative — it is!  But creating with your hands as well as your mine and imagination is an extension for me.  Visualizing some piece in my mind and making it something physical — what a sense of joy and satisfaction!

And one type of activity feeds into others, I’ve found.  All those experiences bubble on the back burner in my imagination, emerging transformed into insight into a short story or move, or a watercolor or pencil sketch.  Or into a piece of jewelry.

But this is the shift with jewelry — into my own business, one that I have responsibility for.  So far, I’ve sold at craft shows and fairs, and to people who know me and want to shop what I’ve got made.  I have learned to figure sales tax (local and state), to make payments to each entity (reminder to self:  make sure you’ve paid the state!), and read about how to price what I make.  I’ve learned about logos, about naming, labels, packaging, displays, keeping track of things (oh that’s an ongoing task, believe me!).

I don’t have employees — just me.  I buy materials (and probably buy too much) and tools and equipment (new skills = new tools and equipment).  For several years two friends and I have met to craft together and sell together — we motivate each other, serve as critics for designs and products, sources for help with ideas or techniques.  A craft show can be lonely and tiring, but being with friends really makes it easier.  We can share display items and materials, and setting up is much quicker and more effective together.

Over time I’ve found that my craft interests have expanded, and my desire to grow my business has as well. I’m now setting up a webpage and my goal for the next month is to have a website set up so that I can expand my sales to the online presence so necessary these days.  I’ve joined an online jewelry community and take classes on it regarding business matters as well as as on different jewelry skills and crafts.

Bear with me as I struggle….