The kind of begining

Ok, Here I go. For the last 8 months I actually thought that it might be interesting to other people (at least cathartic to myself) to write some of what I'm experiencing down. I guess a blog is a great way for me to do that. I have to admit that it seems rather self gratifying but its been a trip and some of you may want to take the ride.

Now, I hope you don't get the impression from my self titled bog "Making of a Jewelry Designer" that I've "made it" yet. I do however have every intention of having a long successful career it this business and it is the beginning of that adventure. I've been designing and making jewelry for about 9 years. You know, mostly the beaded stuff but even that I have to say was a step above a regular beader (no offense to regular beaders). The thing is I'm obsessed with jewelry. Ever since I can remember the allure of a necklace or a new pair of earrings was better then ice cream. I can literally stand in my jewelry closet for hours and just be happy surrounded by the metal, gemstones and designs. I walk in and my creative energy takes over. I digress.... So after 20 years of a successful corporate career (But very boring) I decided to make the leap into fine finished jewelry. I dont mean I'll go to China and buy some jewelry and sell it leap. I mean, I'll learn to hand fabricate it and sell it to stores across the country leap. You might ask yourself, self, how do you make that leap. Well, I guess it helps to know me and my personality. First, it never occurred to me that I couldn't. I know, but oblivous sometimes works). Second, I wanted out of my job bad and the thought of playing with jewelry everyday was so appealing I just went for it (with the wonderful lip bitting support of my husdand). I started with one metal smith class and that really got me going. I wanted to learn more and a lot quicker then they were moving. I started studying privately with an amazing artist. He taught me how all about wax and cast, fabrication and the business side. He was the first person who would answer all of my questions openly without "the great secrets" that seem to resonate in this business. Along the short way (8 months) now their has only been a handful of people willing to talk. Willing to help. Willing to pay it forward. I hope I can do the same for you in this blog. Success is NOT a secret, just because you do something great and you tell me about it doesn't mean that I can do it. Why are people so secretive? Why can they help the ones that come after them. It's beyond me. OK, I'm paying my dues, I get it.

Well, I knew very quickly that for me to be successful I was going to have to put out "a line". I can tell you after 20 years in the corporate world that its critical to learn all the buzz words in your industry and use them allot. People like it and it somehow gives you credibility if you can spout off several buzz words and acronyms in any conversation.

Anyway, I spent several months carving wax models of my new line. Found a caster in New York that came highly recommended and started casting this new line. Piece after piece I tried to create with some sense of logic about it. What was my line based around? How could I create a consistency that would resonate with people. How, o how could I create something different that hasn't been seen a million times. Most importantly, how could I create something that I would LOVE. Any good sales person knows that if you can't buy into the product your selling that your not going to do very well in sales. Lots of mistakes, endless hours of work, study and research later, I came up with what would soon be "Life in Color". More to come..... (Selling my first store and getting ready for my first national show in NYC!!)