Selling Handmade Wire Wrapped Jewelry: A Bonus Of My Business

Business has been booming for Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations this holiday season! Obviously, I'm very, very thankful for this and am so happy that people like my work. But there's an added bonus to selling all of this jewelry: I'm getting into shape!

No, I'm not getting a workout from making the jewelry -- though let me tell you, you can work up quite a sweat when you're trying to bend a particularly tough piece of wire. But I am using my jewelry deliveries as an excuse to get out and walk.

I began to track my walks back in September and have been adding more miles as time has gone on. Meanwhile, I usually make at least two trips to the post office each week so I can ship my orders. Rather than simply walking to the post office, which is about a half mile away, I've been taking long, winding routes to get there. Today I completed a four mile walk before I actually made it to the post office!

I'm not yet ready to run any marathons, but all of this walking is beginning to pay off: since September, I've walked over 100 miles; even better, my weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar are all lower. Woo hoo! And this improvement in my health is at least partially connected to my jewelry business.

Realistically, the business boom is going to soon come to an end. The holidays are almost here and I anticipate a lull in the next few weeks. Still, I'm going to continue to make new jewelry -- and to continue with these walks -- even if I don't have a date with the post office.

Metalsmithing Meltdown

My issues with soldering really got to me today in class. I ended up having a little meltdown.

It started yesterday when someone expressed some doubts about me taking this time to work on my jewelry business. That person wondered why I don't go back to a 9-5 job and just keep jewelry as my hobby. That person doesn't really understand my plans.

The thing is, I've always been an ambitious, but cautious, person. I never persued music as a career because there are a million talented flute players out there and it seemed like too big a risk. Instead, I became a journalist, which I LOVED. But this was my way of doing something creative -- writing -- only doing in a "safe" form.

And I succeeded. I was at the magazine for 14 years and had many other writing jobs prior to that. But there were a lot of things I didn't like about being in an office environment. Now that I have this time, I'd really like to see just how successful I can make my jewelry/freelance writing businesses. I'm fortuate that I'm able to do this and what's funny is that I'm working harder than I ever did at the office! I was at the mag from about 9:30-5:30, but now I usually start in the mornings and end late at night. But it's worth it if I can do well and be my own boss.

Anyway, this person's doubts made ME doubt myself and it affected my performance in class today. We were continuing work on our stacking rings and when I went to solder my silver ring, the ring just melted. It was awful. When I told the teacher, she just laughed and said, "Oops," but my mind went to a place, "You suck. You can't do this. You'll never succeed as a jewelry designer." I ran to the bathroom and began bawling. It was pretty humiliating.

Fortunately, I was able to collect myself and returned to class. I'm not sure if anyone knew how upset I was -- I hope not! But the teacher showed me what I was doing wrong and soldered my next ring with me. I then tried one on my own and I got it!!!!

I think I need to not put so much pressure on myself. I have a bad habit of wanting to get things right away, and that almost never happens. I need to just enjoy the process and stop letting others' opinions influence my work.

To purchase my jewelry, head to Naomi's Designs.

Making Jewelry Full-time

Well, I have some big news: I was just laid off from my day job, which was writing for a soap magazine. Our company shut down two out of the three magazines that were a part of the soap group and had to let a bunch of people go. I'm in good company in being unemployed.

I'm going to miss my work friends very much, but fortunately, I have a lot of plans for the future -- so many in fact, that it's kind of overwhelming. I woke up this morning in a panic thinking, "Oh my God, how am I going to get all of this stuff done?" But then I thought, "Wait; I now have the time to do anything I want!"

Of course, at the top of my list is improving my jewelry business. I've been adding more and more items to my Etsy shop and plan to call some stores to see if we can set up meetings. I've been pleased with how the jewelry is going as a hobby, but I'd like to reach a point where I turn a profit. Right now, I'm still spending more than I'm making and need to catch up. I'm looking forward to working on my jewelry and writing full time, but need to make sure that I make at least *some* money and spend some time around people so that I'm not completely isolated.

I've also been trying to diversify my jewelry styles and jewelry business. The metalsmithing class is helping (I'll post some pics later when my pieces are complete) and, as you saw from my previous entry, am now making rings. Here are a few of the copper wire wrapped coil rings I've recently made:

To purchase my jewelry, head to NAOMI'S DESIGNS.