Today was my first day back in the studio after a two week hiatus.
It went well.
I made a ring and a pair of earrings and I also ruined a ring and had to scrap said project. But all of that wretched ring ruining really supported a statement I made to a lovely lady today:
She had asked me, in an email, if I could tell her all the things I did to market my work and become successful in the world of Etsy. Anytime anyone asks me something like this, I feel kind of stupid because I don’t really have any answers! Despite the fact that there is a small business aspect to what I do, I’ve always been a major failure as a business woman. Really. I just do stuff and everything works out beautifully. I just stay true to who I am and everything has always fallen into place for me. I’m a bit spoiled rotten by God, I think…which isn’t to say I don’t have my own crosses to carry in this life. I do. I just try not to dwell on them here…or anywhere, for that matter.
What I told her in the end — the scant advice I had to give was:
You need to identify your definition of success.
Which of these do you value more:
Quantity or quality?
Success, for me, in this crafty world of mine, is when I enter into my creative space and perfectly translate a vision I have into metal and stone. Success for some others is in numbers: Numbers of Twitter followers. Numbers of Facebook friends. Numbers of sales. Numbers numbers numbers.
Does any of that matter if you feel unfulfilled in your work? Does any of that matter if you aren’t true to who you are in your work?
I prefer to downshift a bit, put my blinders on and settle into perfect translation out in my studio instead of spending hours with an abacus, counting coins, faces, social networking golden stars…
[sterling, 14 carat gold, chrysoprase]
Today I experienced a glorious nibble of success.
I finished three pieces of jewelry. I scraped one piece-of-crap-ruined-jewelry into my metal recycling bin on my workbench. I went for a walk in the weather. I loved my husband. I connected with a few wonderful folks out there in the interwebs. I gave my cat a belly rub. I made a delicious pizza for supper and now I’m going to go eat it, with a glass of Malbec. I’m all about the quality in this life — to hell with the numbers (please do pardon my French).
This kind of day to day success is so delightful.
It really is.
What else could matter?
Just live each day well, I say; just do your best, the rest is not your business.
***
The weatherperson is forecasting blizzard conditions for Pocatello tomorrow. RW doesn’t comprehend the term blizzard. He thinks a blizzard means snow. Ha! I continue to attempt to define the word for him but he just doesn’t get it. I hope it’s simply awful tomorrow so he can finally understand the term.
Can I just say…can I just attempt to convey how much I love the weather we’re having? It feels so Canadian to me. Today in the grocery store I noticed a shelf display for Kicking Horse Coffee, which is a roaster located in British Columbia, and I squealed with delight because ever since I arrived home on Friday of last week, there have been little moments, little glimpses, of Canadiana filtering into my life and it makes home seem closer and the Great White North seems a little more South.
In a few moments we’re going to tromp down to a local pub for a drink with a few friends. I’m going to wear my long down jacket, a toque, mitts and my Sorel boots because baby it’s cold outside.
Put on the furnace, sweet lovers of mine!
Hold your favorite one close and put another quilt on the bed.
xx
Plume
