How to Become What You Never Actually Dreamed Of -

September 28th, 2009 in fashion, gifts, jewelry making

Tynes, member

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Hand Hammered Argentinium Sterling Silver Bracelet wrapped around a beautiful shell. See more at: www.somuchimagination.etsy.com

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So you figure your life will take on a normal routine work/home/wife/mother/friend, etc.
But if you are right-brained, like me, there is always a flash of idea - an urge to do something that in no way resembles your life.
That is when you begin to study, to learn everything you can about what you want to do . . .in my case it was painting, working with polymer clays, and then the big one. . . artisan jewelry.
Boy did I read/research/delve into/find those who had gone there before. And all of it gave me hope.
Find out the tools needed for what you want to do. Good tools make your work a thousand times easier.
Buy the books you will need to have on hand while you work - look for inspiration and keep referring to it.
Jump In!!! The water is fine! The beauty of being an artist is that you can begin over and over again, and make your art piece just what you want it to be before anyone else sees it.
Start your work and feed on inspiring things while working. For instance, I listen to music while I work. It helps the work flow from your brain to your fingertips and into your art piece.
Keep at it. Make more and more pieces. You'll get better with every one.
Don't ask other people's advice too often - it can wear you down. YOU know what you want your piece to be, and if you are happy with it, then you are headed in the right direction.
Now for the biggie. . . There will come a time when you have to make a decision to dabble or not to dabble. If your spirit is fed by making pieces for yourself or for someone else, then by all means, DABBLE! But, if your spirit needs to be entreprenurial - you want to sell your work, then begin building your business. Don't give up your day job just yet . . .as Captain Jack Sparrow would say, "Wait for the Opportune Moment". All those dreams that have kept you wishing to fulfill your artistic spirit will stand up and say "I'm not going anywhere. I am committed and devoted to my work, and I will not stop!
Check into ETSY as a great place to turn your fancy into a real observable, bona fide, "I really can make money and have people see my work and love it too" Dream Come True!
And then, after you are well established into your art, reach down to support the newbie, and tell her that her dreams can become reality too!
Vicki Ellis
www.somuchimagination.etsy.com