I thought it would be a great way to clear the slate at the start of the month by addressing something things that trouble me business-wise. After seeing the incredible wave of participants, and being one myself the first go round, it has been so freeing and connecting that I thought I would take another step and talk about business related fears.

So here goes…

I’ve really struggled finding my audience here and in some ways, back home. This will sound like a horrible thing to say but I really think people expect my work to look a certain way based on my appearance. That because I’m natural I use tons of wood and make extremely Afro-centric things. I’ve never had anyone outright say something negative to me, but I’ve definitely been asked when am I going to make something big or loud or whatever. I usually shrug it off, but it’s certainly something that sticks to my bones when I’m feeling vulnerable and exposed. Now this may sound ridiculous to someone reading it, but it’s a very real thing I deal with. I feel that being placed in a category based on looks means my business is supposed to reflect that and since on the surface it doesn’t appear to, I’m slighted.

Another thing that has always bothered me and I’ve spoken about here countless times before is being respected for my price points. I know my price tags are well within a reasonable range, but the amount of times that I’ve been told directly to my face that something costs too much is almost incredible. Sometimes to the point where I wondered why am I even still doing this?

I’ve set up my goals and even created the 6011 collective, but now that we’re in June I realize just how little has been done. I’m not panicking because I still have the rest of the year, but I’m just saying. Having a reliable support system is more important than just having a support system. You need to know you can count on someone to help with the load. 6011 Collective is on an indefinite break and I am trying to think of ways to get that ball rolling again.

I feel so separated from my community [*]. Equal parts of being initially unsure of myself and intimidated by the online world of business women and then not wanting to feel too personal then getting over all that and just being myself–took a while. I’m talking years. I started around the same time as some more known in the blogosphere, but it took a long while to feel comfortable. To exchange ideas. To connect with others. I still struggle with this, but not nearly as bad as at first. My thing now is getting to know and having a real community and friendship with other jewelry designers. It’s important to have and feel that sisterhood.

[*] SO The most amazing thing happened to me this weekend. More of what I’m kind of dying to share with you from yesterday’s post. As soon as the ink is dry I will share it, but I feel a lot different about that last thing I’m afraid to share now. I met this amazing community of women designers and business owners on Saturday. So I say I feel less like this because I don’t actually know them yet, but the potential is there. And it is palpable. And beautiful.

Please take a moment to read all of these amazing posts by other bloggers.

TIATTY – Round 1 (Organized by Ez of Creature Comforts):

Design for Mankind | Little Brown Pen | Beautiful Hello | Curating Style | Sweet Fine Day | The Jealous Curator | Happy Days | Sage & Berries | Really Handmade | Peck Life | Satsuma Press | Rena Tom | For the Easily Distracted | The Hemborg Wife | Vitamini Handmade | Courtney Khail Stationery and Design | Meg in Progress | Dando Photography Blog | Widdershins22 | Alison Citron | Pink Moon Daily | Just Pretty Things | From China Village | Tea with Me | The Darling Ewe | Not Your Average Ordinary | The Electric Typewriter | Elleby Design | Parsimonia {Secondhand With Style} | Life as an Artistpreneur | Hello Cupcake | Dellie | The A & B Stories | Pretty Little Things | Feistyelle | Nib & Zed | Well and Cheaply | I Ripple. I Dance. | Whitfield Awesome Blog | Foxtrot Press | Dry As Toast | The List of Now | Apple Blue | For the Love of | Four Flights of Fancy | Miss Modish | Snapshots & Secrets | Dirty Laundry | Bubby & Bean | Penelope’s Press | Little Nostalgia | Vale Design | Pikaland | Fleurishing | Print Pretty | Vespa Tales | Hazel & Agnes | Amanda’s Musings | Mo’ Funk Designs | Ordinary Mommy | Camp 1899 | In Honor of Design | Liberty’s Yarn | Love, Life & Pictures | Stacey Winters | Owl in the Rain | Living Life Creatively | Emma Elizabeth Clease | I Live in Vacouver Now | British Cream Tea | Maquette | Little Paper Trees | Change is Necessary for Growth | Practically Perfect | Lovely Indeed | Radiant Republic | Teacher Goes Back to School | Acute Designs | This Little Street | The Proper Pinwheel | Kellee Rich | Gluten Free Travelette | Benbrie House | Sierra BB | Lost in Cheeseland | Going Home to Roost | Creative Soul in Motion | Quietly Fabulous | L’elephant Rose | The Anna Delores Blog | Some the Wiser | JRebecca Style | I Saw You Dancing | Wolfie and the Sneak | Threadbare Supply Co. | Lemonwood and Honey | Lolalina | This Texan Wife | C’est ma Vie |

TIATTY – Round 2 (list found at Mimi + Meg):

Coco + Kelley / Court & Hudson / Sacramento Street / My Cup of Te / Crystal Gentilello / MIMI+MEG / The Decorista / Modern Eve / Apartment 34 / Design Blahg / Vmac & Cheese / Miles to Style / Life in a Venti Cup  / The Zhush / Radiant Republic / Savvy Home / The Doctor’s Closet / Design Manifest / Because It’s Awesome / {extra}ordinary wonders / Sparkling Footsteps / Hitha On The Go / Note To Self / So Much To Smile About / Blogstar / The Goods Design / Style & Pepper / Small Shop Studio  / Long Distance Loving / Maggie Rose Blog / The City Girl In Me / The Best Laid Plans / Concrete Jungle DC / Food Fashion Fitness / East Coast Chic

TIATTY – Round 3 (organized by Lights & Letters)

Jill at Terra Savvy | Erica at The Elbow | Jen at Taking Off the Mask | Kate at Modern Home Modern Baby | Laura at My So Called Sensory Life | Monique at Razing Mayhem | Caroline at Salsa Pie | Leslie at Life In Every Limb | Tammie at Tam.Me | Melanie at Inward Facing Girl | Amy at Old Sweet Song | Michelle at Early Mama | Jen at Jen Epting | Leslie at Lights and Letters  | Sarah at SAWK Photography

Happy Monday one & all…

I’ve had an incredible past few weeks and the best part of it so far happened on Saturday. I’ll get into it more as this month progresses, but just know that some things will definitely be changing around here quite soon! I wanted to start the week with a bunch of things that brought me great joy lately.

It would be pretty dope to try and make this myself, but for those who can’t (or if I somehow give up) this blanket by Good Knits has my name written all over it. (via Danni)

I decided not too long ago that I want to try and grow my hair again. I’ve done it a few times successfully, but I am a bit scissor happy. I think I want to make an inspiration board and put it up in the house with these amazing women. The Coiffure Project will keep me in check.

This video has me feeling pathetic about not doing yoga like I used to so I’m really recommitting myself to getting my old super fit self back. No more slacking. Seriously.

Our super friend and tattoo artist Guen Douglas just did another amazing tattoo on my husband last week. It is fashioned after Indonesian Wayang shadow puppets and holds a special place in D’s heart.

Have an amazing day!

Happy May Day!

I’ve been struggling with the concept of routine for the longest while. I like having a routine to help map out important things that need to be done, but I’ve become so lax at it since moving here since I didn’t have an office I needed to report to, that there’s just little organization all around.

No good.

So in an effort to remedy that, I just set up a fairly rough but tight schedule for myself in my iCal:

Time to hold myself accountable. I really have to split my weeks up into 3 major parts: writing, blogging and jewelry. From now on I’ll start my mornings with 7:30 am exercise of some sort. I have a Wii that my husband bought me and I’ve used literally about 7 times in over a year. For shame! My body is definitely not in the shape it should be so I need to stop playing myself and get fit.

Obviously this calendar will change from time to time as I have different things come up: freelancing, outside appointments, etc. but it should still allow for a substantial amount of time overall each week to devote to my 3 biggest priorities. I’ll be expanding on this topic in the future.

I can’t believe we’re five months into the year already. Time really just whizzes by. I have a lot to talk about this week and I wasn’t around yesterday because it was Queensday here in Holland, so lots to catch you up on.

How was your weekend? Have you made a schedule for yourself? How did it work out for you? Let me know what you’ve done and how it works or (hasn’t worked) for you in the comments section. 

**PS the contest is closed and I’ll contact Elle and Melissa with your prizes!

So, I’ve been writing this blog on and off since 2008 and I’ve been awfully curious, sometimes to my detriment, about exactly who is my audience. My goal is a simple one and comes with a delightful little conclusion if you’re up for it.

In the comments section, tell me you are.
This will only count in the comments section.  Not via facebook, email or twitter.

Where are you from? What do you like reading about on this blog? How long have you been reading? What can I do to improve this space content wise?

A blog is nothing without an audience and while mine is fairly quiet, I want to change that.
I’ve had ideas for things I want to talk about for the longest while, but just haven’t had the right kind of focus. That’s all changing.

For a long time I’ve thought about what exactly I want this blog to be. Plus I think I read way too much ProBlogger. At any rate, while this is turning into more and more a blog about my life, I still want this to be a space that’s helpful and community like. Feel me? So there you have it kiddies. Nothing too difficult.

So let’s get chatty.

In other awesome but unrelated news, today my sweet little prince Pixel turns 1!! We’re going to buy him a laser and teddy bear later on today and hopefully some sort of cat cupcake or something to celebrate his birthday. I already fed him his fancy tuna and mango breakfast. He is so spoiled.

As far as the giveaway goes, all you have to do is leave a comment and on by Monday and I will choose a winner with the random generator on Tuesday. To make this juicy, the first person to comment automatically wins and the second person will be selected randomly by the generator. But answering my questions above is key.

This is going to be a long weekend in Amsterdam with Queensday weekend and my all day sewing class, so I’ll be back on Tuesday with some wrap ups and chatter and a winner!

Have a most fantastical weekend my loves!