The things no one really tells you about being a jewelry maker

Okay, jewelry making can look like a cool job from the outside.
Lots of sparkly things. A calm studio. Slow mornings. Creative freedom (love that!)
Most days anyway!

But here’s a little peek behind the sparkly curtain…

1. Customers are lovely. Truly. But Amazon has broken most of them.
Somewhere along the line, “handmade” got lumped in with “arrives before you’ve finished your coffee.”
You will get messages asking, “When’s my order going to arrive?” five minutes after placing it.
God bless ’em. But really!

2. Most creatives struggle with accounts
(Sorry creatives – I’ve dumped you all in one big struggle pile.)
We can design, solder, string, brand and photograph spectacularly… but spreadsheets?
Suddenly our brain leaves the room.
I avoid them, resent them even – but I must admit, do feel mildly empowered the day I finally tackle them.

3. Your pet becomes your bestie.
Co-worker. Studio assistant AND desk thief.
And if you don’t currently have one, don’t worry, one will make its way to you via the universe!

4. You’ll spend far too long explaining why ‘handmade‘ costs more than “the one they saw on Temu”.
You’ll be super polite. You’ll explain materials, time, skill.
Sometimes it lands. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Either way, you’ll learn not to apologise for it!

5. Your hands will always look like they’ve been lightly nibbled by a mouse.
Tiny cuts. Dried glue. Sandpaper hands. Scuffs. Short nails.
Meanwhile your friends are scheduling monthly manicure appointments, and you’re stuck with file fingers.

6. Your body takes a quiet beating.
Neck. Shoulders. Wrists. Eyes.
Jewelry making is basically tiny repetitive movements for hours while hunched over like a gremlin.
No one mentions the extra cardio you need to make up for sitting on your arse all day.

7. You’ll talk to your tools.
One pair of pliers is the good one.
Another is on thin ice.
This is normal. Right?

8. You become podcast-obsessed.
I mean, you’ve got to do something while you make.
I do have a rule now though – no murder podcasts.
The amount I was consuming was…concerning.

9. People assume because you work from home, you’re always available.
In your home studio? Free.
It’s the Weekend? Free.
At home? Definitely Free.
Somehow “home” turns into, “Ahhh you’re always free… can we just…”

10. You’ll often think, “Why am I doing this?”
Usually right before a message arrives saying,
“This means so much to me.”
And suddenly, you remember exactly why.

If you’re on your very own jewelry journey and can resonate, do join me for Bite-sized jewelry tips, Tools ideas, Supplier recommendations, systems I use…and the bits no one really talks about. You can subscribe below…🤗

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