Absolutely Frightened of the Possibilities

by Megan
(Greenfield, MA)

I guess the best way to describe what is happening to me, is that I am stuck in fear mode.

To give you a bit of a back story . . . I have been beading since I was a little girl and have always wanted to live by my art.

I however, do not have any inventory to begin my business and don't know where to start.

This is where I get stuck - do I begin by making an inventory of all of my beads, actually create an inventory of products, or begin a business plan before anything else?

I'm soooo confused. I guess I feel I should probably have an inventory of beaded projects completed, but I for some reason do everything but that.

It's not that I don't want to. I'm really stuck in fear.

Ok, so I know what my problem is . . . obviously I'm afraid of what will happen if I try to do this. I just don't know how to get past this and where to start.

I certainly hope you all have some wise advice.

Best to all fellow bead artists,
Megan

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Absolutely Frightened of the Possibilities

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Don't be frightened.
by: Joy

Try taking one task at a time. When you get that task finished pick another one to deal with. If you concentrate on only one task at a time you will soon find that all the things you have to do are not so overwelming.
Joy

http://jewelrybyjoy.artfire.com

Plan it first.
by: Pili

Hi,

As for me, I'll make a business plan first since this will serve as a guide as to who will be my target market or potential customers so it would be easier for me to contemplate the kind of bead jewelries my customers will purchase. Second, it would be clear for me which types of advertising I'll choose whether thru word ofmouth, social networking,etc.

A business plan is certainly a helpful tool for all beginners in business. Hope this comment helps.

http://lilinstitch.multiply.com

Scared? I'm petrified!
by: Barbara

But I'm also having a ton of fun.

I've been making jewellery for about a year. I cried the first time I sold one of my PMC Silver pendants at my second craft show (I sold zilch at my first show). Someone was actually willing to plunk down $19(!) for something *I* made. Gee...... that wasn't so hard, was it?

The best part is that first customer has become my best customer, loves my stuff and orders custom pieces from me for all of her friends and family. Not to mention she's become a good friend in the process.

You gotta have faith in yourself, focus and finish. It's the third one that's been the bane of my existence my whole life. Through the years I've left a trail of unfinished projects behind me. Now I talk to myself constantly, "Just finish it. Then you can have a coffee." "No, don't touch that other bead; just finish the clasp that's in your hand."

One thing that helps motivate me is to have a display unit beside me on which to hang the finished items as they're completed. Seeing one pair of earrings hanging, catching the light, lookin' good, then three, then ten is incredibly motivating, and all of a sudden it's midnight or 2:00 a.m. and the earring whirligig or the bracelet stand is full of light and colour. Better yet, have your price tags right there and do that while the numbers are fresh in your mind.

I've also discovered that I need to group items in colours, especially earrings -- because that's primarily how most people look for earrings. Then there are subgroups within those: size, dangliness... gold or silver earwires... glass or pearls or semi-precious... Most importantly, this enables you to see what colours you're missing -- and that will provide the focus to know what you need to make, or what beads you need to stock up on.

Rest assured, the fright will pass as you make your first sales, and the sales will come if your work is priced fairly and is well-made. You'll have a ton of fun at the craft shows and you'll meet all kinds of interesting people you never would encounter otherwise.

Hope this helps! (And for sure, keep reading this newsletter -- it's full of such good information)
Good luck,
Barbara

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Submitted by: Barbara

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But I'm also having a ton of fun. I've been making jewellery for about a year. I cried the first time I sold one of my PMC Silver pendants at my second craft show (I sold zilch at my first show). Someone was actually willing to plunk down $19(!) for something *I* made. Gee...... that wasn't so hard, was it? The best part is that first customer has become my best customer, loves my stuff and orders custom pieces from me for all of her friends and family. Not to mention she's become a good friend in the process. You gotta have faith in yourself, focus and finish. It's the third one that's been the bane of my existence my whole life. Through the years I've left a trail of unfinished projects behind me. Now I talk to myself constantly, "Just finish it. Then you can have a coffee." "No, don't touch that other bead; just finish the clasp that's in your hand." One thing that helps motivate me is to have a display unit beside me on which to hang the finished items as they're completed. Seeing one pair of earrings hanging, catching the light, lookin' good, then three, then ten is incredibly motivating, and all of a sudden it's midnight or 2:00 a.m. and the earring whirligig or the bracelet stand is full of light and colour. Better yet, have your price tags right there and do that while the numbers are fresh in your mind. I've also discovered that I need to group items in colours, especially earrings -- because that's primarily how most people look for earrings. Then there are subgroups within those: size, dangliness... gold or silver earwires... glass or pearls or semi-precious... Most importantly, this enables you to see what colours you're missing -- and that will provide the focus to know what you need to make, or what beads you need to stock up on. Rest assured, the fright will pass as you make your first sales, and the sales will come if your work is priced fairly and is well-made. You'll have a ton of fun at the craft shows and you'll meet all kinds of interesting people you never would encounter otherwise. Hope this helps! (And for sure, keep reading this newsletter -- it's full of such good information) Good luck, Barbara

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re: frightened
by: Barbara

Sorry, Megan, I should also add that I finally put up my own website on Sunday evening after almost a year of hearing, "Oh, do you have a website?" and despite having mostly crappy pictures. I've been tinkering with it ever since. Yesterday I was making earrings and necklaces, and as I finished each one, I priced, scanned and uploaded it.

It's up and it's only a start, not a lifetime commitment, immutable and written in stone! FYI, it's a do-it-yourself effort from a template provided by my web-server people. No more procrastinating! It's a beautiful sunny day here in southern Ontario and it's time to get motorvating... first on the list: I have to reprint my business cards. (Another hint from the Forever-Doing-It-The-Hard-Way-&-Procrastination Queen: never leave making business cards, info material and signs until the night before a show!)

ttyl
Barbara
bemacdougall@gmail.com
www.fuocodeldrago.com

Sympathy, Empathy and perhaps some insight
by: www.lapisworks-vintage-artisan-garden.com

Megan,

As I'm sure you can see by now there are a few (and I'm sure many more) of us in the same boat! It's a scary task putting yourself out there alone on a limb, with only an extension of your inner soul to offer (and have the nerve to request money for it!!!)! Recently, I've delved into the craft show world after many years of dreaming and beading. The website is up almost 6 months, and I have yet to post my new pieces, I'm actually proud of them and showing pieces at a local gallery, but I can not bring myself to face the possibility that I might be successful. So with the launch of the site, I've researched marketing and advertising to get the name out there. I'm on Twitter, Facebook have all kinds of crazy apps and extensions and have confused myself I believe even further. As my husband said to our 4 year old this morning "Mommy's been attached to that computer for days, we need to do an intervention." I hate to admit it, I'm obsessed, I didn't sleep last night! Ok to the point... In this research I have found sites that focus on mind mapping, organization, GTD or getting things done, and de-cluttering, all of which I need to master! The mind mapping I find intriguing when starting a business. Allocate some time each day to research on the web and at your local chamber of commerce or SCORE office. You will not be sorry! If you visit my site, my email address is listed in the Contact Us page, feel free to email me to further discuss some of these links! Best of luck and know we share your fears!

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Submitted by: www.lapisworks-vintage-artisan-garden.com

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Megan, As I'm sure you can see by now there are a few (and I'm sure many more) of us in the same boat! It's a scary task putting yourself out there alone on a limb, with only an extension of your inner soul to offer (and have the nerve to request money for it!!!)! Recently, I've delved into the craft show world after many years of dreaming and beading. The website is up almost 6 months, and I have yet to post my new pieces, I'm actually proud of them and showing pieces at a local gallery, but I can not bring myself to face the possibility that I might be successful. So with the launch of the site, I've researched marketing and advertising to get the name out there. I'm on Twitter, Facebook have all kinds of crazy apps and extensions and have confused myself I believe even further. As my husband said to our 4 year old this morning "Mommy's been attached to that computer for days, we need to do an intervention." I hate to admit it, I'm obsessed, I didn't sleep last night! Ok to the point... In this research I have found sites that focus on mind mapping, organization, GTD or getting things done, and de-cluttering, all of which I need to master! The mind mapping I find intriguing when starting a business. Allocate some time each day to research on the web and at your local chamber of commerce or SCORE office. You will not be sorry! If you visit my site, my email address is listed in the Contact Us page, feel free to email me to further discuss some of these links! Best of luck and know we share your fears!

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Breathe
by: Alane Weissman

Hi Megan,
First, take a breath, its okay. I have been a successfull jewelry designer for 8 years and currently earn over six figures selling my jewelry at shows. If I think back to when I started, I was pretty scared. My advice is to start by making one necklace and then another. You don't need to focus on more than that right now. Have fun and create pieces that you will love to wear and guess what... wear them out. See what people think. I guarantee someone will ask you where you got your necklace or earrings from. Then tell them you are a jewelry designer, would they like to buy it? It all starts there. If you would like more advice or a free consultation with me, feel free to email me at alane@alaneweissmanjewelry.com. Its all good!