Ever write yourself a note like that?
Ever FEEL like that? Here's what I'm looking at....
Lovely painted brass. Nothing finished.
More of the same. I want to sponge on some Lumiere paints and then do a little Iced Enamel....
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/paints_pearl_ex_mica.shtml
for Lumiere paints, if you don't know about them...
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/glue_resin_lacquers_glaze.shtml
for Iced Enamels, if you haven't tried them, either!
Here are some pretty pendants.....
They need to become necklaces! And here is that gorgeous focal that Moriah Betterly gifted me last week....
It's waiting!
I get pretty frustrated. I had NO IDEA how much paperwork there would be, how much new technology there would be, how much managing! there would be, back 25 years ago when I started my business.
It seems that every 5-6 years you have to re-invent yourself, too. Don't think for a minute that the schtick that works to keep you going today, will work in a few years. It's constant change.
Then I look around and see how many who are newer to this trade than I, and have written not one....but several books.
Well! I STARTED mine. SEVERAL TIMES. Changed gears several times. It hasn't happened yet.
We decided video would be better. Okay, what's up with that? Well, Jordan is having trouble getting the 'ditty' for the video recorded. Then, our video camera died. Rob says, no worries, it probably didn't have enough definition anyway....so we got a new one.
NOW....if I move too fast on camera, it blurs. Back to the drawing board. This is no good for professional video.
I feel like an idiot, because both should be done. But then....I step back, and I think:
It's so easy to have "all or nothing" thinking. In other words, just LOOK at what I haven't accomplished yet in my career! LOOK at what others are doing! When you do that....you forget what you HAVE done.
First, I've somehow managed to stay in business for 25 years. And now, most of my family works with me. Some say, never hire family and friends, it won't work out. For me, that has not been true. There is no one I would rather have here, day in and day out!
My son, Jordan, gave up his corporate job to be here. Here he is at the laptop, a little over a year ago, when we were still in the home office.
Here he is taking a class with Linda and Opie O'Brien....turned out to be one of the last classes they had before they retired to the Berkshires:
and my friend, Shelley, who has been with me for more than 14 years of the journey:
Sometimes I drive her nuts.
We have Rob, too.....who is my nephew; Lauren, who is Jordan's wife.....and Donna, my sister in law. I have two temp helpers who come and go rather regularly, Lauren England, and Javi Bustamonte. Javi is a computer tech who will take over some of Rob's techie duties when he finishes machine school this fall.
This month, a year ago, I signed the lease on this building and we moved our business.
That's Donna, cutting pads for under the cement blocks where we placed the stampings files at the new place, on moving day.
And Shelley, finishing up the last of the work before we pulled the plugs in the old office and moved downtown to our building.
We have done so much in this last year. I knew nothing about setting up a store or doing any merchandising, but we managed on a shoestring.
Here we are, just getting started with the workshop part:
Piddling around with the pieces we had, trying some merchandising:
This stuff is all down at the antiques mall now......it wasn't the right thing.
This IS:
Mitzi Curi and I in the workshop in early April....she came all the way down from Michigan for the weekend for a private class. Since then, we've had a number of small classes and events.
A table and chairs where folks can come and work on a project.
My spinner is constantly being filled with more bead/charm/stampings goodies!
No one taught me how to do any of this, this last year. I had to just figure it out.
So I guess I AM finishing something....what I really need to get clarity and move on to those other things. For the first time ever, I have a place available where YOU can come and visit me and we can work on a project together. Several follks already HAVE, as you can see.
If you would like to come, here's some info to help:
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/visiting_bsue_boutiques.shtml
And if you are feeling like me, that things are just not getting done as you'd like, why don't you step back, too?
Think about all the things you HAVE done, all the things you know about this year that you didn't know about just last year. All the new things you have tried. Think about all your great new ideas! MAKE A LIST. Chip away at it! Be determined.
It all comes around in time. I'll get the video done....and one day, that book, too.
I'm constantly struggling with trying to find time to finish the things I WANT to do...but the things I HAVE to do always get in the way. Yesterday, I was able to finish two pair of earrings...nothing special....but I felt good about them. Thanks for helping me to feel OK about all of this ♥
Posted by: Terry Matuszyk | June 03, 2013 at 09:27 PM
You're a continual inspiration. Thank you! :-)
Posted by: wickedgoodbeadz | June 03, 2013 at 09:36 PM
A big THANK YOU for inspiring me and teaching me through your videos and comments on a daily basis!!! Hugs!
Posted by: Patty Kruger | June 03, 2013 at 10:16 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Jewelryshopus | June 03, 2013 at 11:04 PM
It's 10:00 p.m. and I just said to my husband "I have to go make at least one pair of earrings - I never get anything done!" And then I sat down and read your post - how appropriate! I do beat myself up a lot about not being more prolific, or because there are so many techniques I haven't mastered yet - but looking back as you said, I realize that I am still growing and learning all the time - and that's what it's all about! I do appreciate how you challenge and encourage us all - thanks!
Posted by: Joan Williams | June 03, 2013 at 11:09 PM
I am so proud of you, you're living my dream!
One thing about being chronically ill, is that it really narrows your focus, and makes you evaluate exactly what you can and cannot do. What is really important in your day? I figure if I get my daughter on the bus on time in the morning, and fix her dinner in the evening, and she knows I love her more than the world, then everything else is gravy.
I am SO grateful for my life, and for every little thing that I can do. With relapses, you never know when that will be taken away, so you can't take anything for granted.
A wise rabbi, many centuries ago asked "Who is rich?" and in typical Jewish manner he answered himself "One who is satisfied with what he has."
Amen to that!
Posted by: Grace | June 04, 2013 at 12:55 AM
What an inspiring post! Everything you do...write, create, work, share, blog, and more always comes from your heart. All of us are striving to create, grow, succeed...and you are the best role model I have ever known!
I LOVE the way you have changed the shop since I saw it last December. It invites more than a lovely retail experience...it is an invitation to be inspired, to learn, to enjoy, to have fun, to stay awhile.
I can't wait till I can come back to visit again!
Posted by: kate | June 04, 2013 at 07:19 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Jewelryshopus | June 07, 2013 at 11:27 PM
I just now saw this post when I linked to a different one from Facebook! It was soooo good to read this. I have been in a funk and feeling like, not only do I have unfinished pieces (many), but I need to make a project for a remote class that I just can't seem to get started, and then all these other ideas rolling around in my head for New pieces. One step at a time. STARTING TODAY! :-)
Your shop is a little far for me, or I'd be there in a heartbeat just to visit, or take a class, or shop, or all of the above. Thank you!
Posted by: Deb | August 31, 2014 at 07:02 AM