This is part 5 of how I got here to catch up please read part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.

Soon after starting my job I noticed that the university also offered informal classes. Basically classes offered to the general public that ranged anywhere from camping to cooking to computer skills to dancing and the class that would change my life “silver jewelry basics”.  It took be about 2 years though before I actually took the class. It was a bit on the pricey side so I kept putting it off. When I heard that the informal classes were ending though (due to budget cuts) I immediately signed up for the class.

Initially I took the class to make myself some earrings. I learned how to do that and a few other handy tricks when working with metal. At the end of the course I had the most finished work. It was a little like Jessica’s jewelry shop. I was satisfied with what I had achieved and was more than happy to put everything up and be done with it. Then Christmas came around. I’m terrible at buying gifts and decided it might be a good idea to pull that jewelry making stuff out and make gifts. At least they would be from the heart. Right?!

During that winter a friend of mine (who is also quite talented) asked if I would be interested in doing a little craft show with her in March. She suggested that I knit some things but knowing I could never knit enough to sell I suggested I make jewelry. So it was settled. I would sell my jewelry at the show in March. With this goal in mind I decided not only would I sell at the show but before the show I would set up an etsy shop (something I had always wanted to do), make business cards should anyone be interested in my work after the show, and figure out some packaging ideas. I was going to look professional.

I worked so hard getting inventory made and getting it all photographed. I brainstormed names for my shop and descriptions for my jewelry. Finally on the last day of January 2011, my birthday month, I opened up shop. I was so pleased with myself, at that point I wasn’t even concerned with making a sale.

Sometime after that a friend of mine suggested I make her a Texas shaped pendant. Then I made Michigan since that is where I am from and that was the beginning of what my business would become. A few other good friends purchased the first few state shaped charms and I am forever grateful to them.

When the show rolled around in March I was all set, my jewelry was made, I had packaging figured out, I has business cards, and I had an online shop.  Woo! I was so excited. Overall the show was a bust but in a way it was the best thing to have happened to me.

To be continued…

Also I just want to say Happy Birthday to my best friend Katie!

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