*Very* small scale beadmaking - how to keep going?

[Vicki]

  me too

[sparrow]

You're all sweeties

I'm not after sympathy or back-patting, honest, just kind of wondering what to do with myself. I think I'll blunder along as I have been, then take it from there after the holidays. I've also got most bits of jewellery I did for the gallery a while back (though I gave quite a few away afterwards, LOL), I'm just not sure if I'll get in trouble if I now list them on my site for less than the gallery would have sold them for (it didn't say anything like that in the contract I signed...)

What I really need is for a certain big publisher out there to tell me I got that book contract I've been chasing for over a year, cried over, had sleepless nights over, and pulled my hair out. And then I'll know what's what again, and I'll re-find my place in the world *sigh*

Sorry if that made no sense at all, LOL - I know you love me anyway 

[Les]

See Vicki.  One of the UK's top lampworkers needs to have a bespoke knobs section on her site 

we all need one !!!!!!!

[lesley]

Ah Sabine, you do sound like you're floundering a bit!
If it helps, as a buyer not a seller, I like websites that up-date regularly even if it's only one or two items.
If you like someone's work you're always going to have a look!

I'm new, so I don't know if you've mentioned the book contract before, but I'm intrigued to know what it's about!

[*rowanberry*]

Aww Sabine, sorry to hear you are all in a quandry

My advice? eBay stuff if you don't make a lot - and keep them on long 10 day auctions. On your website link to your eBay auctions - so you have a double whammy of hits.

I've told you before, you do have something special when it comes to glass and you shouldn't give up. I think selling on eBay will do you good if you get nice big high bids etc. And I think your work IS good enough to get some good bids. As for how to sell on eBay, I've been doing it for over 5 years and can help you out and know all of the tricks, how to sell, when and where to sell etc.

around 80% of my buyers found me through eBay... and through no other means. I honestly think you would do well on it - you have the spark to stand out and get good bids.

[Ilona]

Sabine, I know where you are coming from, I have torn my hair out trying to decide what to do.

I am going to get the website up and running again and will keep it updated this time. Last time I didn't do this and felt under pressure to produce the beads. Now I have a large stock at the back of me and  feel ready to try again.

Like Kaz, I am looking at the long term, and hope to have the lampworking as a retirement thing and I would love to get into the fairs.

I think the best thing to do is to take it steady, dont put yourself under pressure, it doesn't help get the website going again and who cares if you don't sell much at least your name is being seen.

Your beads are fab, you need to show case them

[sparrow]

Awwww   Thanks Claire & Ilona

Lesley, no I haven't, it's not bead related. I work for a university, and as part of my job, I'm trying to get staff-student partnerships in higher education off the ground. In my own specialised area, what I'm doing is making waves, empowering students and really making a difference to the education system. A year ago, I decided to put out a global call for chapters for a book on the topic. Since then, I've been in negotiations....the problem is, it's *so* cutting edge (only staff-student author teams were accepted), they're not quite sure what to do with it. It means the world to me....but there's never an answer, only more questions, no responses, delays. It's such hard work, and every now and then, I wish I wasn't so 'cutting edge', LOL. So......I'm stressed. I'm not sure how to explain this to anybody. I can make a difference here. A real, true difference to the higher education system, be the first to promote something at global level that could really influence the way staff and students work together...listen to me, LOL. No doubt it won't sell

I'll shut up now

[lesley]

NO!!  Keep talking.....the more people you tell the more people will know!
I wish I could help, but it's not an area I know anything about.

Someone else might though?

[Sarah]

Hi Sabine

You've had loads of good advice so far 

Only you know what you want out of this and where your priorities lie. Work that one out first.

What do you want to spend your time doing? Is it making beads or jewellery? And do you want to be repetitive or creative? Once you've worked that out then look at the best way to achieve it. And don't put too much pressure on yourself to achieve anything other than enjoying yourself. You have a full time job which no doubt delivers your fair share of stress.

For what its worth I've just started listing regularly on ebay - only one or two items a week. But its upping my website hits and my website sales have gone up too. Its very erratic sale price wise but overall I'm happy with what its doing. I also do the odd fair for jewellery but have give up trying to get a fair at a bead table in Southern England. The stress of nobody replying was more than I could cope with.....

Now go cuddle that little man of yours and stop beating yourself up 

[Pam]

Sabine, whatever you do don't stop making those lovely beads you create. All the good advise has been said so I can't add any more wise words. Enjoy your craft and take it forward at your own pace.

[sparrow]

Okay *breathes*

I won't give up experimenting, it's fun. (I just had an hour in the garage, and created a 'leather jacket' bead.....but you might have to wait for the second attempt before I show it )

On Saturday, I'll list *something* on Ebay, for a 10-day auction, so it can run its course while I'm in Germany (which will be stressful in itself  )

I'll carry on focusing on fun and swaps, but will try to list a couple of things each week at least (I've got actually enough stuff lying around, I think....I just wish I liked doing sets )

Thanks for listening

And Lesley: That book will get done sooner or later, I think the chances are good. It's just such a looooong, tiring fight, I hope I'll have the energy to edit it when it finally comes round Thanks for caring!

[sluggiejewels]

Keep making your beads Sabine, they're beautiful.
i don't make glass beads but do make jewellery and am experimenting with resin to make my own beads.  I've just bought some silver clay too.  I often feel like I'm experimenting and doing nothing with it after since i don't have a website and am too self-concious to approach shops/galleries.  i enjoy craft fayres but can only manage if someone looks after my daughter.
So, I take my jewellery into work once every couple of months.  it takes the pressure off feeling you have to make things for a deadline.  I find then as well that every so often people ask me if i have something in a certain style or colour.  i always say yes and then take along half finished things where i've run out of steam etc and chat about how they'd like it finished.  That works well.  I'm sure you could do something along the lines where you show your beads and then have people choose some for you to make up into a simply strung pendant.  You'd probably find people will like what you class as an 'experiment'.
I find as well that if i do a cheapie range i can then splash out on a more expensive item now and again and really enjoy working with that.  i also try and join some of the swaps cos it's a great way to work with lovely beads which i otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to do. (also everyone's very forgiving if you do run a little late with it )
Try not to beat yourself up about it.  it's hard work with a little one finding time to have a bath, let alone make beads!!!
xSarah

[TiaraHelen]

Only you know what you want out of this and where your priorities lie. Work that one out first.
...

Now go cuddle that little man of yours and stop beating yourself up 

What she says!  I found that there were some ambitions and enjoyments that I just had to put on hold for a few years while the kids were little - I had to accept that I had not got either the time or the energy given my other commitments. 

I was brought up to think you could have it all.  You can't.  You can DO it all, but mostly you have to choose or you'll end up frazzled.

Good luck making your choices for this phase of your life!

[dangerousbead]

As usual all the advice here is good Sabine, my twopennorth for what it's worth (2p) is that it's worth saving up your stuff and doing at least one Christmas fair that has a good reputation, that way you keep your hand in at a fairly pressure free pace. I did that last year and did very well and it paid for a lot of stuff that I just couldn't see how I was going to afford before. Secondly, this is something that you can always come back to at any time in your life, Toby won't be little for ever, having just spent myself, financially and emotionally on one of my baby's 21st party I'm only too aware how fast that time goes. It's the kind of thing old ladies say to you when the kid is 2 weeks old and you think "stupid old duffer" but it's true, blink and they're gone, but the torch will always be waiting.
I feel like I'm sermonising, but having been a reluctantly working mum, if I could have that time back, I would.
Go with your heart
x

[dinah46]

That is so true Jane. My baby is 26 soon to be 27 and my oldest is 36 eeek I don't often confess to that one

My advice is don't forget to enjoy every innocent minute of the growing up process as one day you turn around and wonder how they grew up without you noticing. It's hard when you are in the middle of organising and managing everything but so necessary to take a step back from time to time to see more than the minute detail.

As Jane says - the torch will still be there.