I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since graduation! In the last year I have had the chance to work with and learn from Doozie Jewelry, Swoon Studios and (currently) Luscious Metals. All of these small jewelry businesses are run by some really marvelous women who have been kind enough to share some of their incredible wisdom. In my experiences with these ladies I have started to pin down what I envision my dream business looking like. I want to see a beautiful and loving company that encourages creative design, that educates others in the art of metalsmithing, and helps build and give back to community. In growing a company that can accomplish all of this it is also important that it can provide comfortable sustainable income. I still frequently catch myself in the starving artist mentality, and intellectually I understand how destructive and limiting that can be and how on a daily basis sometimes it can be hard to see the big picture. I am still trying to find the switch in myself that allows me to completely embrace the full, happy, successful life I want as entirely possible. However, in those moments when I can see the future clearly and without fear I can see how amazing it will be.

College provided me with a strong and well-rounded knowledge of the technical side of my trade and with all of the help I have had so far surrounding the business end of things I have a beautiful foundation to start building. I know that there is still so much to learn and that knowing what I want doesn’t necessarily mean I have all of the knowledge and tools to create all of this on my own. I think that by engaging with those who are already fortified with experience and an understanding of what makes a business successful, I might reach my dreams faster and with fewer bumps in the road.

A very BIG thank you to all of those who have supported me in my journey thus far. I am excited to see where I find myself next. Perhaps with enough help I might just land myself an amazing scholarship with the gals at Flourish and Thrive Academy. Bringing more expert knowledge my way! 

Please help me win this scholarship to @Flourish & Thrive Academy’s Laying the Foundation! I am ready to get my designs out in world! You can help by leaving comment below and sharing this with your friends.

 To learn more about this scholorship opportunity or to enter yourself go to http://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/win-a-scholarship-to-ftas-laying-the-foundation-course-for-2014/