Now vs. Then
I started out on this full-time hand-making venture in early January 2009. To say that I’ve learned a lot in the last year would be an understatement. A sum-up seems appropriate.
What do I make? I still make jewelry, but have pared down my offerings a ton. Earrings have become the line I make the most. At the beginning, I thought it was important to experiment with a lot of varying styles and beads and attempt to mimic what I was seeing out there. The experimentation was important, it’s just that some stuff came out looking pretty generic and I had a hard time getting excited about it. I now really only make designs that I know for sure I’ve not seen anywhere else and that seem to get the best attention. I also found colorful art wire and use it in so many ways I never would have thought of a year ago. I continue with tiaras and hair picks, too, and have taken those in a pleasant, original direction I’m excited to explore in the months ahead.
Where do I sell? At the start of 2009, I had been in one show and made two Etsy sales. I now have my goods in six stores, have sold a bit more on Etsy, and have had a long and thorough crash course in face-to-face selling. Getting into stores is incredibly challenging and my natural shyness made me sick to my stomach for the first dozen or so tries. I don’t walk right in with total confidence now, but I don’t have to circle the block so much either. I remind myself that no one is ever mean to your face, even if they laugh when you leave. Most of the places I sell are actually fun to visit now because the folks I meet with are supportive and always seem genuinely glad to get new inventory.
Etsy is also tough and, while I feel like I learn more each month, I think it’s just a hard nut to crack. Doing everything every successful seller recommends may still result in nothing. Or very little. I’m always working on my shop, though, so I haven’t given up. I can photograph and edit my own work now, too, which feels great.
Face-to-face shows were one notch below cold-calling a store in the realm of things that made me queasy, but this where I feel I’ve really grown the most. I was incredibly nervous at the first couple of shows and didn’t really speak to anyone. My display technique was to just lay everything out on the table. Neatly, but still, not that great. I continue to tweak my displays because people are funny when it comes to looking versus shopping, and I want to help them shop as much as I can. Having a nice looking set-up helps with confidence immensely. And I actually enjoy talking to customers now, which is definitely something Me of ’08 would have raised an eyebrow at, and I can do it without sounding like a schmucky used car salesman.
How do I keep track? I adore (yes, adore) spreadsheets and lists. My spreadsheets have gotten more detailed and specific where needed, and have helped me be less afraid of taxes, better at pricing my work, able to see when a new show is too risky, etc. Going over them for taxes last week was a trip down memory lane, for sure. Anyone remember that show at the Hyatt? Hottest day on a shadeless patio. I keep track of everything on spreadsheets so well that my tax lady said I don’t need any sort of fancy software for businesses. I am my own Quicken.
My lists have evolved a lot. I have a weekly “do this on this day” schedule where I assign two main things that have to get done each day of the week. I add tasks to a general list for the next week during the current week and then assign each task to a day on Sunday night. It leaves room for surprises, moods, and external factors like weather and naughty dogs. I almost always get everything done and I can sleep well each night knowing what I’m supposed to do the next day and over the few next weeks.
I also keep a long running “Brain/Hand” list. “Brain” is one half of the page where I list business tracking, phone calls, blogging, and other non-making things. “Hand” is where I make, photograph, tag, clean, and the like. It’s always a couple pages, with most immediate needs on the first page, next urgent on the next page, and can-be-a-bit-later on the last. It prioritizes itself, really. At the end of every day, I’ve written everything I did, what times I started and stopped, how much money may have been collected, highlighted mileage driven, and even noted fun stuff like going to the movies, on my big desk calendar. I can throw away my smaller, working lists when they’re complete knowing that I’m on top of it all. Keeps my desk and psyche neater.
Who do I work with? Usually, it’s just me and the dog on weekdays. Joe is “in the office” some days and most evenings, and we do a pretty good job of not distracting each other. It took me a while to not go into his office every time I had a thought or was bored or stumped. We still like each other, so that slight worry from a year ago is gone.
In addition to the shop owners and operators I’ve been working with, I have also joined a couple of groups of makers, sellers, and business owners. I never thought I would even like this, but it turns out I LOVE it. It really helpsto have so much experience, diversity, and support from people who are doing what I’m doing. They get it. I have met many really wonderful and talented people, all of whom want to share information and encouragement.
As always, I can count on certain family and friends for different feedback or advice when I need trustworthy facts from people who know me well. They get me.
What else? My neck and right shoulder have pained me since about 9th grade, always worse during more stress or longer hours at a desk. Delightedly, I have almost tamed the hurting, something I wasn’t totally sure would happen. It was a theory and now it is proven, I’m not meant to work at a desk all day or under conditions that make me carry stress around.
Also, I tend to like more people more often these days, instead of wanting to crawl in a cave at the end of any social experience. I had feared I might get weird being alone so much the time, but I have found I feel normal being by myself so much and can actually look forward to interacting with others.
Long post short, I’m sticking with hand-making fine things and am optimistic about learning and improving and moving forward into year two.
Themocracy
Thank you so much for this post; tracking progress and rejoicing in growth is necessary. I am so proud of you and amazed at what you’ve done and are doing! Goooo Merritt!
Wow, I am totally impressed and proud of all the work you’ve done, especially now that you’ve admitted how nervous you were! To me you always seem very confident and outgoing. I’m equally impressed at how organized and systematic you are. It’s a rare quality in an artistic person, and I think it will help you in your rise to uber-crafty-stardom. Plus… you know… you rock.
Wow Merritt! I’m so proud of you and so happy that you are doing this now instead of waiting until you are 50-something. I love it! And I love it that you and Joe support and compliment each other so beautifully! Yes…you do rock!!
Way to go, Merritt! Glad you’re sticking with it. I’ve always been impressed with your work & your professionalism, & never would have guessed that you were so shy or unsure of it all. So keep up the good work! : )
I loved reading your post, we all have so much more in common than you would think! You are so professional, and I was surprised to hear how shy you really are – you hide it very well
I’d like to take a look at your list system some time – I too, am a big list maker, but it sounds like you really have it down pat!