[Jewelry making - Article 00272] - Re: [Orchid] Truth or dare

[Karen Seidel]

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Happy New Year Everyone!

    I guess it's my turn. Close to 20 years ago my previous spouse, then
    just dating, gave me a hand-made silver ring with a piece of common
    green opal he dug himself in B.C., Canada. I was hooked. 

    From there I took every evening or weekend course I could find out
    about and afford as well as joined the local rock and lapidary club.
    I also learned rock hunting, lapidary, faceting and anything else of
    interest. I was like a large sponge in soak up mode. My ex also had
    most of the basic equipment to do silversmithing so he started to
    teach me. Found out that though he was great at lapidary he wasn't as
    good at silversmithing. So I concentrated on the Silver. I did it as
    a hobby for about 2 years and then I was offered a job to go work for
    a local shop where they sold equipment, stones and silver, plus the
    husband did make and repair jewellery. It was like going to school
    and getting paid for it. After 2 1/2 years and being told I was the
    best employee that they had ever had, I asked to fill the part-time
    position that they were looking for and help to train the new
    full-time person (so I could start to do a little more jewellery
    myself). Instead, due to a little personality conflict with the wife,
    I was let go. First time fired, and only time, what a blow. 

    After a while of nursing hurt feelings, I realized that my wages had
    gone into some business schooling and most of the supplies and tools
    I needed for a while. My ex told me that I should make jewellery full
    time and look after the house of course, and look for places to sell
    our jewellery and rocks that we had collected. Started getting into
    any and all craft sales I could. 

    Then we moved south of Calgary, into a artsy area and I discovered
    Farmers markets. After again trying all the sales I could at first
    get into, the next year only went back to the few where I made money.
    Eventually giving most of those up as I got into the Farmers Markets.
    They are different from the Flea markets where everyone wants it for
    nothing. 

    I went as far as I could there as I was not allowed to expand into
    taking credit cards or checks. Eventually I woke up and took a look
    at my situation. I decided I finally had to start living for me and
    moved back to Calgary by myself. After a year of getting my health
    back together and moving around a few times I met a great guy that
    said I could rent a couple of rooms in his house to live and do my
    jewellery, of course we were dating anyway. So I closed my eyes and
    leaped into a whole new story. We married a year later and he built
    me a wonderful silversmithing area in the basement. Now he even goes
    with me to shows to help me sell, which is great as he is handsome
    and the ladies (my best customers) like him:-). 

    After a year away from the markets and making jewellery, it was nice
    to be making jewellery again. It was also great to get back to all my
    friends at my markets. I also opened a business bank account and
    started to accept Visa, Debit, M/C. I also changed my focus from all
    low end and imported jewellery & rock to some imported and much
    higher end, one-of-a-kind jewellery and Crystals. I also started to
    consign friends jewellery for variety as most of them were not sales
    people, and I am pretty good at PR. 

    Now, two years later, even with a poor Christmas sales season,
    because of poor weather, I am still doing twice what I was doing
    before I made all the big changes. During the winter when I am not
    selling at shows, I am teaching at the local College, as well as rock
    & mineral classes to the Grade 3 students. I am also making more
    jewellery and finally taking some of the courses that I have wanted
    to for 10 years to upgrade my skills. I also plan to finally get some
    of my better pieces into galleries this year. 

    One of the best things about rocks & minerals, or jewellery making
    is that you can't know it all. When you think you do, you will meet
    someone who does it different or better :-). 

    Karen Bahr   "the Rocklady"  (rocklady AT nucleus.com) K.I.S. Creations
    May your gems always sparkle. 

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