Cabinet of Curiosities

A couple nights ago I had a fantastic dream.  I was in a crowded place, perhaps a store.  I walked up to a cabinet filled with fascinating things.  There was a large box of toys, some from my childhood and some imagined.  Then I found some little self-published books by different artists, notebooks, and miniature carved animals attached to sticks, books of Buddhist poetry with golden binding, and more.  “This stuff is amazing!”  I exclaimed.  The best part was knowing that everything in the cabinet belonged to me.

I woke up filled with tremendous energy and inspiration.  It was 3am.  As I waited for sleep to embrace me again, I thought about this cabinet.  It seemed to be filled with all the precious ideas I've had over the years.  It was my artist’s wellspring.  Surely it was inspired by getting close to launching my Etsy shop.   I couldn’t help but think that every person has this wellspring, a cabinet of curiosities, where they have tucked away all the seeds and gems of a creative life.  For some it is buried deeper than others. 

So I’m wishing for those reading this, a magical dream tonight, of your cabinet.  May you awake feeling ready to explore all that fascinates you in this life. 

A Bad Spell

Flat nose pliers, bent nose pliers and jump rings.

 

I just experienced my first setback in selling my jewelry on-line.  It was completely mental and had me in a headlock so fast it took me several days to realize what had happened.  I ran out of materials for the line I’m working on.  All week I had been creating and designing.  I was so caught up in the work I didn’t realize I was almost out.  When I was forced to stop, I stagnated. 

You might ask, “Well why not just order more, silly Pam?”  But I was feeling guilty about spending money and worried about my tight finances.  I will just have to bite the bullet and do it.  My other excuse for not ordering was that the shipping (UPS Ground) takes about 2 weeks.  Yeah I know, the sooner I order the quicker it will arrive, but for some reason I find this discouraging. 

There is plenty I can do while waiting for my supplies in the mail: sketch more designs, read my right-brained business book, blog, explore creating my business plan and “look” for my Etsy store, set up a photo “stage”, and photograph what I’ve made so far.  Believe it or not, I might have enough materials stuffed away that I can still make a few more pieces. 

So why am I still stuck?  I think it has something to do with the sudden break in creative flow and fear.  With all my confidence I still fear failure, debt, and difficulty.  What if I don’t sell anything?  I just have to remind myself that this is an experiment.  As long as I don’t spend too much money, there is little risk, and I had fun in the process.  In my wildest dreams I am an independent artist, making my living off my art.  It is never going to happen if I don’t try. 

So, the discouragement spell is officially broken, I’m back to work.