A chronicle of the meanderings, false starts (which in retrospect, while sort of embarrassing turned out to be highly instructive), epiphanies, selective apathy (still evolving), wild mood swings, opinions (subject to frequent change), and life lessons of an inveterate dabbler (and her latest dabblings).

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Wha????

Autumn Dragonfly
I dropped by to chat with my financial adviser the other day. I had a little savings, and wondered if I should be using it for something instead of just letting it sit (like maybe paying off my car). We chatted for a bit ("Cash is king," she said--meaning hang onto it if you got it), and we talked about my jewelry, i.e., my jewelry supply collection. I explained that making jewelry was really just an excuse to collect jewelry-making supplies, and that there was not one single aspect of my jewelry-making that could be construed as a "business." Especially the "income" part. She paused a moment, and asked: "Well, why don't you try running it as a business?"


Whaaaaa????


Well I have been reeling ever since. What. A novel. Idea. Like a business.


So I have been playing a little game with myself called "Use What You Have." The rules are that I am not allowed, for the foreseeable future (I haven't yet defined the time period further), to execute any jewelry ideas that involve supplies or tools I do not yet have. The challenge, if you will, is to create something from the colossal pile of crap I already have. It's actually been really fun, like a puzzle, and I love puzzles. Kind of like MacGyver. ("Your challenge, should you accept it, is to create a pair of earrings using only elements from this ginormous basket of assorted gauges of wire of all kinds, these storage units full of tools half of which you don't even know the purpose of, and these 20 containers of beads.") The earrings above were one of the first pair I did as part of my new "game." I've had the amber forever, the dragonflies almost as long, but I confess I recently acquired (before the commencement of my game) the Czech glass (along with about 20 other colors of Czech glass). The items below are also part of my game:


The Raven
I've had these carved horn feathers forever, and this is the first time I've ever used them. Ditto for the lampwork spacers, and I think I used two of the little striped glass beads in another pair of earrings. I've been too phobic to use my sterling silver because of the cost (I always choke because I'm trying to be too careful), but I decided it won't have cost me any less (money's already gone) just sitting there so I might as well use it, and if I have to waste a little pretending it's copper (so that I don't choke) then so be it--better than letting it sit there. So I'm getting all extravagant with my hoard of sterling silver. And I'm not allowed to buy more (according to the game rules) when I run out. I'll just have to use copper and brass.


Half and Half
I've been hoarding these wonderful two-tone tablets by Kelley Wenzel forever, waiting for just the right design. Then my game began, and I thought, "Screw that, I'm usin' 'em." Et voila. AND sterling silver--am I a daredevil or what? I love how these turned out (with more Czech glass from my pre-game splurge--I'm determined to use as many of those glittery little babies as possible. I like them on earwires.).


Robins' Eggs. But Sort of Flattened.
I've had these nifty ceramic beads since my first (and so far, last) visit to Hobby Lobby. (It's like 8 hours away, which might be a big reason we're not on food stamps.) I used them in earrings once before, and really liked them, so I used some more. (I'm really getting the hang of this frugal, ascetic thing.) I used them with yet more of my new Czech glass beads stash, and some little papyrus charms I have also had forever, since buying them for some mysterious future purpose.


Verdigris Medallion Lariat
These are more of my stash of brass leaf medallions (had them forever) from Happy Mango Beads, treated with a traditional verdigris patina. I've attached them to some deerskin lace in cocoa, with both nickel and sterling silver accents, and blue sky jasper (had it forever), ebony wood (had it forever), and spruce tint lampwork (had it forever). I'm so proud of myself. (This is a lariat, which I've been wanting to do--you just tie it loosely.) Went hog wild with the sterling silver wire again--but holy crap, fourteen 3" long 20-gauge ball headpins really adds up.)

And of course I had grown instantly bored with my button pieces as soon as I had gotten the hang of them (and had amassed quite an impressive collection of disc beads.) But then THE GAME began, and I was obliged to start using my stash of disc beads. The turquoise ones seem quite popular, so I did this little variation, that has a second strand with a little gingko charm:



Southwest Gingko
I have a couple ideas for tomorrow, for using more "stuff I've had forever." I also have sort of a loose goal to try to make one thing a day. Not sure how long that will last. Tomorrow I will try to post about the pearl hoard I got with my Bead Trends gift certificate.


38 comments:

  1. All this frugality and supply 'restriction' sure isn't putting a dent in your creativity! Way to go, girl! Love what you are doing and am looking forward to seeing what delicious new pieces come from your new 'asceticism'...

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  2. I have been following this rule for a while now...not buying more stuff..but have not actually made much too. I think I should add a rule to the game to make atleast 3 things each week and I might get somewhere!

    Really enjoyed this post, and loved the outcomes of your game!

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  3. Love what you made!

    I have been telling myself to use what I have(hoard)first for awhile now.

    I don't listen very well :(

    I can't even fit everything in my work area, I have eight five drawer cubbies and four drawers on my desk. I haven't seen the tops of my tables for months.

    I think your on to somethin'

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  4. This is a great game, although the supply world will miss you ;-) Those Czech sparklies on the ear wires are lovely and your frugality sure hasn't made any negative impact on your creativity. These are all gorgeous pieces.

    The nerve of that financial planner suggesting that you do this like it's a business! But if you really want to approach this differently there is a great book I recently bought by Kari Chapin, Grow your Handmade Business. You don't necessarily need to be in the business of trying to make yourself into a super jewelry making empire. I found parts of it useful in defining just what it is I do and why and how to do that in a, gasp, financially responsible way. It's a very friendly approachable book that isn't all dry and corporate.

    Anyhoo, I've gas bagged on enough here. Loving the outcome of your game!

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  5. Beautiful!! As someone else said - your frugality hasn't hurt your creativity.

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  6. Wow, you've been busy!!!! All your pieces are lovely, especially the feather earrings!

    At the end of last year I put myself on a self-imposed bead diet, only allowing myself to buy components to finisht pieces, or beads to finish a customer request. It's almost September and I can say I'm quite proud of myself. There's something amazing about working through a challenge that I though would never end. I'll confess I fell off the wagon (or is it the other way around) and purchased some beads just the other day, but I did pretty well with this challenge. I'm going to try it even through the new year because my jewelry has not been selling so well with the rotten economy here.

    Before this self-imposed bead diet I would total up the amount of income I received from my show sales and spend half, or less than half of that amount on beads, tools, classes, jewelry books, business cards etc. It worked out pretty well, but would maybe work better if I changed that to spending just one third of the amount.

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  7. You seem to be doing well with your restrictions!!

    I had the same problem with glass rods. Pretty, shiny glass rods in all the colors of the rainbow. Hundreds of pounds! I'm sure I have enough to last until 2040! I know allow myself a budget of no more than the colors I run out of. The sale are so tempting though!

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  8. I play that game regularly. But I always seem to lose.

    So far, you're doing great, though!

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  9. I keep finding stuff in my stash that I've totally forgotten about, its been there for so long. Plus, like you, I have hoarded anything sterling which was bought back in the olden days. I FORCED myself to use some this weekend. Of course, back in the olden days, I was sort of clueless about wire, so I have 24 gauge and half hard 22 gauge (???) but no dead soft 22 gauge and no 26 gauge. Also some of that is argentium because I didn't want it to tarnish. Will that even work with LOS? Because NOW I TOTALLY want it to tarnish. sigh.

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  10. I so identified with your post! Keep up the good work.

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  11. I think we can all relate, Keirsten. Though I haven't read the book she suggests, LeAnn's comment about being financially responsible sure hits home. Even as a new designer, I have a shameful amount of "stash", and soon I'll find myself buying duplicates simply as a result of poor inventory control. None of you have experienced that, right?

    I believe most of the big box craft stores will survive my personal boycott LOL. In the meantime I am attempting to buy SMARTER: more handmade components, more local or regional, and less volume (where I fool myself into "saving more by buying more")... hello, I'm not even selling online yet; why do I need 240 head-pins in one colour and one length?

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  12. What a game! I liked very much to read your story.

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  13. WOW! Way to go! Your challenge has not hindered your creativity at all! I need to take a page out of your book and use a lot of my stash as well. I don't even want to think of how much $$ I've spent on "stuff" that I'm just plain 'ole tired of looking at!

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  14. I keep saying I have enough beads, and I do. However, I don't seem to have enough findings. I hope you are successful in using your stash.

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  15. I'm totally where you are. I had no idea what I have, as I have a huge problem with 'shopping'. I did not go to Beadfest Philly this year, because I'm just FULL. You're inspiring me to actually USE what I have. Thank you.

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  16. I agree with the other posters - using what you have hasn't limited your creativity. Those are very lovely pieces - esp. like the earrings.

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  17. Can I play this game with you? I have this new storage system that I am trying out, so it is bringing to light that my stash is more of a hoard and that the cameras will start rolling any minute as they trip down my stairs past all the empty boxes I have piled in the corner to get to the heart of the pile paradise. I have bags upon bags, and bins and boxes, and so many Michaels bags filled with stuff that I bought and thought was cool (and Hobby Lobby as well, only an hour away and now a new one is opening up 40 minutes away! Huzzah!) So I need to do what you are doing as well. Actually make with what I have and sell what I have amassed as well. I love all these and I am happy that you are letting them see the light of day! I am deciding right now to do the same. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  18. You're doing this totally fantastic job of using what you have! Everything is wonderful! I think I'll play along as well.

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  19. I started out with a use-what-you-have rule - I look back at that and laugh to myself, because I actually had so little and didn't know how to use what I had - still don't, really!

    But perhaps, inspired by your post, and seeing your beautiful work, I shall reinstate my rule - I do have quite a large stash now, after all!

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  20. Novel idea to use what you have. I guess that means you won't belong to the "She who dies with the most beads wins" club. Seriously, though, my mom has been telling me to use what I already have. But those dang beads just keep calling my name. I agree with the others that this new rule has not affected your fabulous designs.

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  21. Oh! I now have $80 to spend at Fire Mountain Gems courtesy of Bead Trends (was saving them until I got the last one--goes further with their pricing structure). Oh, joy!

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  22. Isn't it amazing what you can create when you give yourself the permission (or the restriction) to use what you have? These are all wonderful -- can't wait to see what else you have lurking in those 20 containers!

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  23. You crack me up! I love your style of jewelry and writing. Those turquoise discs are awesome! Where did you find those?! I NEED some. Hahaha! I also need to do the same - stop buying and get busy with what I've got. We should have a big swap so we feel like its new but really just someone else's hoard.

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    1. The larger sort of irregular green/brown one to the right of the brown disc I got locally (I know, "gee thanks a lot"), and the smaller ones I got from Fire Mountain. I think I got a strand of graduated sizes, and a strand of smaller ones that were all about 5-6mm in diameter. (I think swaps are a great idea! All the thrill of shopping without spending more money.)

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  24. I seriously love your jewelry.
    I seriously, seriously love your blog.

    A couple of days ago, Hubby and I were talking about this tax year since we're voluntarily downwardly mobile. It made me think about my jewelry sales to supply purchase ratio...
    Hmm... like a business?

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    1. "Voluntarily downwardly mobile" sounds freeing! (Hope so!) I have kind of always stayed at the downward end of things because I like CASH!! haha! I have interestingly gravitated automatically to making earrings with my new "use what you have" game, it seems to be working well. I have some ideas for simpler bracelets too, looking forward to that!

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  25. hi...if it's any "solace"..i was in the same spot about TEN years ago, financial guy said same thing, ran my "earrings only" business for 6 years, at a profit, without re-buying,except for pins and wires,and still had enough inventory to SELL my business for almost total cost!!!!!i'm now retired from teaching,newly remarried (at62!!), and just recently(within only last year) have started just buying a "few" things! guess who needs to STAY HOME?!!? having said all that, aren't there just the most lovely,gotta-have,if only to touch and look at, beads and stuff out there?! including YOURS, young lady!! good luck! you're doing great!

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    1. Thank you for the inspiring story, Lucia! I can definitely see an "earrings only" enterprise working quite well. I have myself been thinking I should have a much higher proportion of earrings in my shop. Congratulations to you on a successful venture! (and your new marriage!). Yes, I covet those beads out there--so much artistry and creativity! And thanks for the kind words about my work. Have fun with your new baubles!

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  26. I LOVE this idea and have been tempted to do the same many, many times. I think the owners of my local bead store might begin to get worried about me though. ;) Maybe I should amass some sterling silver wire first (I don't currently have any) and then jump on the band wagon. That's not the way it works is it? Hmmmm

    Actually, if I'm being serious with myself. I often think that the problem with my inspiration sometimes is that it's hiding behind all the junk I've collected. I'm just so overwhelmed with all the STUFF that I can't get a clear picture of what I want to create. Dang, now I might need to do the same thing as you.

    At least you're calling it a game. That definitely makes it more fun!!

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  27. I really need to start doing the same thing. I have so many beads and well I would like to start doing this as a business but unless I want to spend months entering everything I have into a form and trying to calculate out the cost I need to just use it up. Wow talk about a run-on sentence.

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  28. Hahah, I'm stuck to the same rules for this month at least, possibly next as well, as I've got absolutely no money left ove to buy beads jewelry making supplies due to my move. *eyes boxes of beads and brass findings and wire* >>

    Anyhow, I MUST know where those papyrus charms are from, I NEED them for living. Once I've got money again. XD I have that big, BIG weakness for anything related to Ancient Egypt.

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    1. Good for you! Even if it's under compulsion, haha! Yes, I'm a fan of ancient Egypt too--what STYLE! so elegant, so cool, so classy. I love their stylized renditions of nature. I think I got those charms from Fusion Beads or ArtBeads, they have loads of the copper plated pewter Tierra Cast charms. I also got tiny paislies, gingko leaves, itty bitty fleur-de-lis, cute little funky hearts, frogs, fish, bugs...(sorry, now I'm just teasing you.)

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  29. I don't know if this will fit into the rules of your game, but would you consider selling some of the findings you make? (And, aren't rules made to be twisted until they shriek "uncle" in their tiny, high-pitched screams?)

    I just bought the Step by Step mag issue with your disc necklace tutorial and I'm not quite up to the hammerin', torchin', and what-not. Just yet. But I love your metal bowl beads and ball-end head pins. Whaddaya think?

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    1. Actually, I have sold some of my findings--a bunch of toggle clasps, some cones, and a bunch of charms. I might do so again if I find I've made too many to use, but the way I make them, they're far too labor intensive to really be profitable. The bead caps in particular would be a real money/time loser for me, they take forever to make and you can't price them according to your labor or they wouldn't be affordable. And with my day job, I would either have to make components or make jewelry, I just don't have time to do both. Maybe someday...

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  30. Ahhh--makes total sense. That explains why these types of components are nigh impossible to find. Necessity being the mother and all that may be how I one day pick up a torch (yikes!). But I still get queasy using my propane gas grill so it may be a while for me!

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  31. I think this is really inspiring - I'm in a similar situation, although a bit behind you, in that I'm just getting started. I had to find a job that would let me be around for the kids when (middle) school gets out earlier next year, and with my employer unwilling to adjust my hours, my husband said I should try and turn my hobby in to a business. Money is tight, but I'm much happier.

    I was just wondering how you were feeling about your choice six/seven months on? Is there anything you would have done differently?

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    1. Well, actually the only thing I did was stop spending so much money on supplies I don't need and worked instead from what I had. Saved me a lot of money so of course no regrets about that. This post wasn't about quitting a job or anything, just being more frugal/intentional about buying supplies. I'm still working full time at my day job, just not spending as much money on supplies and trying to use what I already have.

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