I have started to incorporate gold in almost all of my pieces. A year ago, I would have been scared to take that leap.
Using gold not only enhances the look and quality of the enamel but also increases the value of the finished pieces.
I also have been valuing my time more as a businesswoman. Owning and running my own business as a sole proprietor has taught me a valuable lesson on how to value my time to ensure I am paying myself a living wage and so that I can keep the studio doors open and the lights on.
What many people may not realize is there is a lot that goes on when it comes to being a Successful Artist. I am only making jewelry about 40-50% of the time. The other time I spend answering emails, ordering supplies, applying to shows, making profit and losses spreadsheets, calculating wholesale vs. retail pricing, shipping orders, making contracts, managing taxes, photographing pieces, marketing, posting on social media, website management and so much more.
Running the business side has been by far the biggest learning curve but the most rewarding part. I am very proud of how the business has developed and I am excited to see where it goes in the future. This business has allowed me to not only make beautiful work but also raise money for different charitable organizations and help with conservation awareness, things that are very important to me.
Here are some pieces that were sold that raised money for Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine. I have some new things coming up that will be excited to share soon. Hopefully I will be able to keep myself organized enough to make a blog post about it, share on a newsletter, post to patreon and social media and whatever other thing I need to do to share news in this digital age.
These are just some ramblings of a creative trying to make it while hopefully sharing inspiration on the way.
If you read this thank you.
]]>As a professional artist I struggle with constantly trying to make what I think will sell vs what I want to make and it has been a slow realization that they are one and the same. Realizing this while also exploring the potential of the medium I have been making pieces that I have only ever dreamt of.
My plan is to hunker down this winter and produce the pieces that keep my up at night, the ones inspired by the places I have traveled, the books that I have read and the wonderful and mysterious creatures that exist in reality and in my dreams.
]]>We had worked together, long and hard, building up the perfect space where we could work, have shows, host classes and meet with clients.
When the pandemic hit everything changed. Shows and classes were cancelled, we couldn't meet with clients and staying at the studio didn't seem to be feasible anymore. We made the hard decision to move our work spaces to our homes and said goodbye to all we had planned for the year of 2020.
As a self-employed artist the downside of working from home is that you have very little social time to speak of. And with a pandemic looming around every corner of our lives I was forced to dive deep into my work. Scared of what the future might hold and no known opportunities on the horizon I wasn't sure what I was going todo.
I was forced to shift my gears focusing on my social media outreach, and pushed my online presence and produce as much as possible. What this year has shown is how important our community is, and if it wasn't for mine I wouldn't have been able to keep Darci Shea Studios going.
Despite 2020 I was able to teach an online class with Merry Lee Rae, connect with other jewelers and learn new skills especially from Lucy Walker Jewellery, had an enormous boost in sales, launched my Cloisonné For a Cause page which raised money for fire relief after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Surf Rider Santa Cruz Chapter, Cabrillo College Nursing program, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Though I am ready for 2020 to be over, I am so very thankful for the year that I have had. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my clients my peers, and my business and my ability to give back to my community and my loved ones.
I am not sure if anyone will ready this, but if you do Thank you. Be safe, be thankful to those you love and we will all get through this together.
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