Just So We're Clear Here...

YES! Yes, I do want to do my jewelry business. We already know that I enjoy creating new jewelry. I just had to figure out why I wanted to make a business of it...

Here's the why: I want to find out how far I can go with it. There are just SO many possibilities... I need to kow how far I can go with it.

I've been away from the jewelry biz for about 6 years, so now this is outside my comfort zone. I feel nervous, scared, and excited - all at the same time! So I've GOT to do this!

Check this out: My dad invited me to a jewelry party at his house this past week, hoping to gift me with some inspiration. (I did get to see that the party did well - all with no games, which made me glad since I don't really like the games.) Anyway, his girlfriend wanted to see my jewelry, so I showed her and her friend what I brought. They totally LOVED the jewelry and were figuring out which of their friends would want to buy certain pieces. AND my dad offered to hold a jewelry showing for me at their house! How wonderful!

Check this out, too: My daughter signed me up as a speaker in her Entrepreneurship class, and I was assigned to go before the class this past Thursday. I got to talk about my history as an entrepreneur: Avon, Paris Perfumes, clothing alterations, seamstress, fashion designer, and whatever else I did as a business over the years - some of which I'm sure I've left out!

The students were attentive and asked a lot of great questions. They even showed an interest in the jewelry I passed around the classroom.

I took this opportunity to talk about my strengths and weaknesses, my successes and failures, and to give business advice. Basically, I had the opportunity to INSPIRE people - my main purpose in life, I've noticed.

It was FANTASTIC!!!

Jewelry Business Doubts

So, I said that I wanted to write about my successes and failures.

I seem to be having some doubts about this jewelry business.

I know that I infect people with my enthusiasm for beads and jewelry and stones and stuff, but is this what I’m supposed to be doing right now?

Should I be putting together a bead store with colorful beads in unusual shapes and sizes and teaching people to make jewelry the simplest way possible while infusing their personalities into each piece that they make?

Both sound like great ideas, but I don’t think I’m interested in sitting on the sidelines…

Maybe it’s that I shouldn’t take my jewelry online. (I did already, so could you let me know what you think after taking a look at www.marquina.etsy.com?)

Of course, it could be the pictures I took of the jewelry. I haven’t thought much about photography, but maybe it’s time I went to the library and picked up a book. (I stopped trying to use my scanner for pictures, by the way. I am now the proud owner of a Kodak EasyShare C533! It’s so cute!)

Maybe I just don’t like selling. I do it because I have to right now. But, if I could get someone else to do it who loves it…wait a minute…what a wonderful thought!

What if I just designed and created and got someone else to do the selling and the paperwork? What if I got to be just “the talent”?

You see, I can do paperwork OR I can sell OR I can design and create. I get a little depressed trying to handle all three at the same time. That’s not to say I only want to design and create always. I really like being involved in all aspects of my business. Just not all at once.

I think I may have to build a schedule around this concept in order to get things moving. When I come up with something that works, I’ll let you know…