The story behind "my" making!

Okay, this is a long journey (already :P) I have sustained selling my handmades for about a year now. I have always been crafty or so i think. My mum always made sure i handmade gifts for grandpa's birthday. This became quite a habit and when i found that there was too much "unspent" time. I started making good out of items i found at home. 

After the constant push, a year ago i started making jewellery out of self-interest. I couldn’t believe i bought huge amount of raw materials and started making them. I had no clue what i was doing but it started... At that time, i wasn’t selling because i didn’t know if anyone would buy... Then came my kid sister, she started buying from me. Till this date, she buys everything from me. Cards, jewellery, notes, boxes, anything. She says she likes it plus it is a great "booster" for my ideas. She is one person who can trigger ideas and has some lovely marketing skills (double benefit ;)

I bought more raw materials online, offline... Anywhere i could find good ones... I didn’t know the quality of places where i bought my goods. I have seen some wear away that’s when i learnt to choose what and where i buy it. 

The first purchase i made costs me a lot and when i told my friends, the only reaction was "WHAT?? You bought so much?” It kind of scared me (never said a word about it). At this point, i definitely wasn’t looking at the long short like What? Why? How? Where? I wouldn’t give away though something "inside" told me "I have got this, stick together". 

One mistake i began with, which happens with any new artist is pricing. My pricing was extremely low but the pricing fell on my face only when i could not cover the costs. I helped friends in fixing jewellery, sold handmades at extremely low costs. I was doubtful, even today I am doubtful of my makings this in a way helps in perfection, at least i work up to that.

I read many public pages on Facebook always wondered how they made it all. They have been 3-5 yrs n the race and are upbeat about handmades and then there was this inspiring article by Shilpa who owns Sueño Souvenir - 5 things to know before you choose a creative career.... This was like a stunning read in my head. I was taken aback. Even though i wasn’t sure i want to make this as my career, she surely answered all the robotic questions in my head. Thank you :) I know this helped me begin or sustain my creativity.

I am learning, still learning, I don’t think there will ever be a state of "learnedness". I have never believed in that before and i promised myself to make time, think, and get this together because I would never what to expect. It is a definite race with an indefinite finish line!

All i can say is "I believe" and I will. 

My handmades are available on Ladies Fingers

Regards, 

Sree

P.S. Nothing like Handmade <3