Twists and Turns

Life twists and turns. I know that as well as the next person, maybe better than most. I for one, am glad, I don't see what is coming. My sister Cindy left me a message on my phone a week ago with a lead to a job. A JOB. Which is different than my shop in most peoples minds. People rarely ask how my business is going. Where as if I had a new JOB they would. Developing a business of my own on an international website is so different that most people have a hard time wrapping their minds around it. Personally I love it. No change there-it is my vision for my future as a professional. Very excited about my second shop which will feature fibers and fabrics. Anyhow-a nursing job. And a good fit. A part-time seasonal RN position at a clinic which treats people that fall within 200% of poverty line. Went today and visited with the director. I am interested, would give me 4 months of added income to reduce overall debt and monthly bills. And the job sounds rewarding.

Jobs

I woke up as Butch was getting ready for work. He is Mr. Dependable and I hope that the hospital knows what a treasure he is. "Would you bring me some coffee with the new creamer in it?" I mumble. "Of course" he answers quietly. Coffee is generally the first thought in my mornings-a physically addictive stimulant indeed. I must have dozed-when I drank it was tepid but not quite room temp yet. Gulp. It was gone. Yummy. My next thought-my shop. Every morning like Christmas morning. Did I sell something? Did anyone pick me as a favorite? The thrill of a new adventure-but so much more personal than my other careers. Not more important. My first jobs were as a page in libraries-starting when I was 14? Thru high school, college and a young adult. During the summers I worked as a packer for North American Van Lines with my sister. That was wild. Hot long days packing other people's things. But I liked working with the girls-it felt like being a grown up, certainly different than putting books away. I worked in a bakery briefly. Yuk. When I had my first baby I started baby-sitting. Nephew Ryan was a darling. I did that off and on until Katie started kindergarten. Then I went back to college and became an RN. I liked nursing-it is hard work. But profitable. For others and your own soul. A challenge, the stakes are very high sometimes. When a Nurse makes an oops-it is not funny at all. I was a 'nurse' for 13-15 in some capacity-an RN for 12-13. I may again. But not today. Today I make and sell my handmade wares at Gamut.

Funny

I make jewelry. It's funny. I make jewelry to sell. Even funnier. I love it. At first I told my family "It is a hobby" or "just for fun". It is fun. Comprehensive. Encompassing. Get up early without feeling tired and excited about my shop fun. When I posted my first pieces-I cried. I loved it that much. Collecting materials I find beautiful, weird, unique. Making pieces. I don't want to be a cookie cutter jewelry maker. Taking the pictures. Angles, props, what will catch the buyer's attention? Writing the descriptors-how personal, how funny, how weird and still describe the piece accurately? Using my husband as my spellcheck. He is always right btw. Pricing. Accounting. Profiling. Etsy community and resources. Starting a blog. Budgeting-learning the value of real earned money. It is alot harder to make $100 this way. Putting myself on the line. Packaging and mailing. Sticking with my promise to mail within 48 hours. Hoping. Thanking the divine I am in a position where I can do this.