It all started 7 years ago. I was walking through Michael's with my husband Chris and saw these really cute beads. I have a really bad habit of seeing something and then deciding I need to learn how to make it (or prove I can make it) rather than just buy it. So I bought the beads and my addiction was born.
It started out small at first. I made a matching necklace and bracelet for myself and my sister. But that wasn't enough, so I made a few more for my friends. And next thing I know, my little operation had nearly overtaken my living room. Chris suggested I sell some of them, so I started looking at what it would take to start a business. I have no formal business training (like none at all) so it was alot of learning as I went. I was a religion major in college and was debating either a career as a NASCAR chaplain or a missionary in a far far away country. So when I decided to start my business, I had to start from scratch. Some days have been an uphill battle. I've gone to jewelry shows where my tent blew away (with me holding on to it!), shows where my displays fell and broke into pieces, shows where no one bought a thing, had classes that were a complete disaster (hello fist-punching seniors!), had days where I didn't even want to get out of bed...but I have also had some pretty amazing days too. I've gotten to meet with some really cool shop owners who wanted to carry my jewelry, have received thank you letters from some pretty amazing celebrities, have had pieces sell at charity auctions for more than I ever thought possible, and yesterday, I got to film a television segment about me as a jewelry designer! I had never been to a television shoot before, and never one that featured me as the subject, so I was more than a little overwhelmed by the whole experience. I helped style the models and host with my jewelry, and then I did a close-up shot or two modeling my own jewelry. While I was standing there smiling (and sucking in and trying not to fall over), I kept thinking "this is it...I'm officially a professional." In reality, I think my professional status came awhile back, but for some reason it felt offical yesterday. I'm a little nervous to see myself on camera (rainy day = bad hair day), but more than that, I am grateful for the opportunity to even be featured. And really really excited I get to offically be considered a "professional."
2 Comments
9/28/2012 08:44:53 pm
I'm so proud of you and happy for you, my dear friend...I love your story!! You are amazing!!
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