One woman band
**This was written in 2017 and over from my old website.
You guessed it! This blog is about being a one woman band… i.e. working alone on the business where everything (and I mean everything) is done by myself.
I have been inspired to write this after sitting at my table for 4 whole days trying to update my website. I have watched about 10 hours of Photoshop tutorials to edit the lovely slideshow on the front page. I have had to have courses on web design to enable me to update the site. I have done hours of research looking at websites and trying to find what kind of thing fits my business model. I’ve found it extremely difficult to write my copy for the site, so have struggled through that too. (It’s bad, I know it is, so forgive me!)
Pricing fun
The list is endless! Designing and making jewellery is the fun bit, but without the the rest of it the ship will go down.
I have tried outsourcing a few things such as production of jewellery and paying for someone to write my copy for my marketing, but really I want to provide an extremely personal service, so I’ve decided do it all myself. The only thing I am desperate to pass over is the accounts (I don’t really need my personality coming though in that so it’s acceptable), but actually I’m a trained bookkeeper, so there is no reason I can’t do that myself either.
The work bench
So, when there is the option box in the occupation section of application forms, I want to write, designer, maker, pricing person, bookkeeper, administrator, graphic designer, web designer, PA, PR, marketer, advertiser, photographer (not quite got that one off yet) and researcher.
Not forgetting training either! There is training in technique, web design, business management, sales and marketing… The list is endless. It is however terribly important, because without me learning and developing nor will the designs or business.
Since February I have moved my workshop and even though I do all the business myself. I share the workshops with my shining light Claire (she is sunbirdstudios, check out her awesome work). Claire has to constantly listen to my “work” drivel and continuous muttering to myself, and it makes the journey much more comfortable… Thanks Claire!
Me, the jeweller !
There may be ups and downs but I would not have it another way. I love my work, the people I meet and the journeys I go on! I wouldn’t change it for the world. So when I say I do everything myself, believe me, I do and I love it. It is tough sometimes but it’s what I have been put on this planet to do!