Commissions and Commitments

I have fallen away from blogging and will now remedy that.  New Year's Resolution: blog more often and more effectively!
I've had many blessings in my personal and work life recently.
Back in September-October I was getting pretty down-hearted about my career prospects.  With the close of the Outdoor Craft Fair Season I decided to redouble my efforts to find legitimate (i.e. working for somebody else) employment.  The lure of a steady paycheck and health insurance seems pretty darn shiny.
I did manage to get hired, but the office environment was a completely wrong fit for me and I was only there for two weeks.  That was also pretty discouraging.  Add in a nasty rear-ending car accident (their fault, not mine) and getting used to our new 1/2 day public preschool schedule was some difficult stuff to deal with.

However, though continuing to look for a job, I've been getting more commission work lately.  Much of it was related to the Holidays, but not all.  This has strengthened my resolve to continue making strides toward true small business ownership.  For example, a good friend blessed me with the opportunity to create an engagement necklace for his girlfriend (yes, a necklace, not a ring- very cool!).  I've worked in silver and copper a lot, but hadn't gotten the funds to work in gold for quite awhile (especially since it's price is up so dreadfully high).  But, being a fantastic guy and soon-to-be fantastic hubby to his gal, he insisted on GOLD.  Wise decision.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  It's about and inch in diameter, so as you can see from the photo, it's quite finely detailed, especially for the dainty size.

It's made of 14K white and rose gold with 3mm amethyst cabochons.  I feel so honored to be a part of their special proposal moment as well as their continued happiness.  I really hope to continue getting engagement and bridal commissions. Gold and I seem to have a special affinity for each other- I feel really comfortable working with it.  I can also work in silver, beads, crystals, peals and pretty much any combination of these that we can dream up!

I also created a special presentation/keepsake box for the big moment.  Their wedding theme is going to be "Alice in Wonderland," which I think is just spectacular.  So, that inspired me to gift them with this whimsical original painted box.

So, New Year's Eve, right after the ball dropped, this is what he dropped on her!

I am also excited to report that I have made it to the in-person interview round for a program in my county that provides small business classes and guidance to women and minorities.  These classes, if I am awarded the opportunity to take them, will really help determine my success in years to come.  I really didn't get much training in Art School on the business side of things (but I didn't even know back then that I needed such information) and so have made quite a few blunders along the way.  It may take me some time to sort through all the information I need to know, but I know that it will be worth my investment, and will make me into a better investment .  God has a plan for my life and I know now that he has called me to live a life with dignity and stewardship- making a respectable living at work I enjoy sure would be a wonderful plan for this life I've been given!