So You Want to Start a Business... (Part 1)

Well, here is what you need to do:

Before you even THINK about registering your business you NEED to go see an accountant. DO THAT RIGHT NOW! You might be thinking, but why? I haven't even started. I don't have anything to account for (see what I did there?) Trust me, an accountant's guidance is so crucial at this point in your businesses development.

During my first meeting with my accountant we discussed what kind of business made sense for me to own (LLC), how to register it, when I was going to have to pay taxes and how the amounts owed were calculated, and what percentage I was going to have to set aside for Federal/ State taxes AND my IRA. This first consultation meeting was FREE. We also discussed the best way to set up my books and whether I was going to do the book-keeping or not. There's no one way to organize a business and that includes the finances. It's important to find a professional that can help you set up that structure.

As mentioned before I decided against a sole proprietorship in favour for an LLC. To explain why here is an adorable video:

As explained above an LLC can protect you in case you ever find yourself faced with a lawsuit. Should that ever occur, chances are your accountant can then (if they haven't already) refer you to a reputable lawyer. 

OK! You have your homework assignment! Go find your accountant. If you live in the Richmond area I highly recommend Kimberly Dages.

Tune in next week when we will be discussing the paperwork you get to fill out! It's so much fun!!

When Nothing Goes as Planned.

Have you ever been stonked? It's not as fun as it sounds, believe me. My mother (a talented interior designer) and her partner (an architect who is now launching his awesome photography business) developed this phrase to describe that moment of utter disappointment and frustration when something just doesn't come through for you.

FOR EXAMPLE: You have completely researched through your state/ city government's website about what paperwork you need to bring to what buildings in order to walk away with your business license that day. You have confirmed this with multiple government employees.

After completing said paperwork to the best of your ability you march your cute butt down to the circuit court and city hall to complete the final steps and make the final payments. OR SO YOU THINK!

Beaming you lay all of your paperwork down in front of the only employee working in the finance department that day and he informs you that you have forgotten a form. Crestfallen you walk to the correct department to retrieve said form and after spending several hours downtown now, offices are beginning to close. Your dreams of walking away with a license that day are no longer realistic. Oh, and you have to walk multiple blocks back to your car in the pouring rain and hail in June because Richmond, VA that's why.

In my family we call that stonked. And it happens. A lot. Especially when it comes to legal paperwork.

Now, you can fully expect a blog post next Tuesday about what paperwork you are going to need to set up a business in the city of Richmond, VA but for today I want to talk about how to cope with these feelings of disappointment and frustration.

I think having a word to scream at the sky helps. When my fiancé looked at me and asked what was wrong I could look at him and recognize that NONE of this was my fault. I did my part! The universe just didn't cooperate and instead of having to explain exactly what had happened I could just tell him,"I got stonked." He empathetically nodded. It happens.

So here is what you do:

You eat/ drink some comfort food/beverage (fries/ tea/ cake etc…)
You watch this awesome TED talk by Elisabeth Gilbert (multiple times if necessary)

You detach and read a book or play a video game or do SOMETHING that relaxes you, that is just for play without any pressure or strings attached.

Then you get back to work. Tomorrow is a new day. You are one step closer today to accomplishing your goals than you were yesterday.

So rest assured, even if your goals take a little longer than expected they are still going to happen because you are a determined human being who has a dream.

Just keep swimming, folks.

Phase Two: The Real World

After a year of working as a professional jeweler I have now returned to my own studio practice and boy do I have a lot to say about my experiences over the past year!

First: If you're curious about where I have been go check out Simply Unique Jewelry Designs on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyUniqueJD

Second: If you want to see the AMAZING work of the very talented lady who replaced me go check out my friend Christina Tyler's work here: https://www.facebook.com/christinatylerjewelry?fref=ts


Ok all you recent metals grads, I know you are freaking out about how on earth are you going to set up a studio and where, etc. Here's a look at the top seven things I need in my studio. Sure I have a lot more equipment now but if I had to cut down to the bare essentials this is what I would be left with (and a bowl for water/ baking soda, spare towels and sanding sticks.) I didn't purchase the Pickle-It kit because I already had a crock pot but I like the Pickle-It because it is non-toxic and works great for silver and high karat gold. Plus the kit is on sale right now and comes with copper tongs and stuff so, score!) Note: You can find butane refills at Lowes and Home Depot for the same price.

I find most of my purchases come from Rio Grande or Amazon. 

In total you're looking at $336 for the most basic set up (provided you already have a table.) For extra safety place your solder tray over an old cookie baking tray. If the room is not ventilated make sure it has good airflow (open a window) and always wear a mask and eyeglasses!

When I was setting up my studio I put about $100-$200 dollars a paycheck towards my equipment. $100 every two weeks and in about two months you will be ready to go!! OR YOU COULD JUST SUBMIT TO THE ETHICAL METALSMITHS STUDENT EXHIBITION AND WIN ONE OF THE TOP THREE PRIZES!! GO DO THAT NOW.

http://emstudents.org/call-for-entries/so-fresh-so-clean-2015-call-for-entry/

Good luck! Phase two: flex shaft.

Lost Wax Casting Extravaganza!

Hello folks!

I know, I know it's been a while. I've been very busy with all sorts of great things! I got a piece into a juried show, am working towards my graduation, and am also working very hard on RADICAL JEWELRY MAKEOVER! If you are unfamiliar with this awesome project please check out our WEBSITE! AND, for constant updates and awesome pictures check out our FACEBOOK PAGE! The show opens THIS FRIDAY but we are always accepting jewelry donations!

I was going to post some of the graphic design work I've been working on for this project here but then I thought... WHY DON'T I JUST LINK YOU? So there you have it. I've been in charge of website maintenance, updating the Facebook page and the promotional design work. And, I've loved every minute spent working on this project. Where else do both of my degrees co-exist so harmoniously?

But where's your jewelry, Jane?! 

I can hear you asking. Well, it's right here! In progress shots and all. I've been doing a little lost wax casting.

This was my display for the works I was submitting to be juried into the VCU student show. 

This is the piece on the far right that was accepted. 

The tools of my trade. I'm going to try to get into Wolf tools. 

I think I need to purchase my own set though. 

Here's the finished wax. 

Cast in sterling silver. 

I sent this picture to my Mum after I cast it. This is the first piece I have cast myself since my casting accident last semester. 

The last thing I cast before the accident and the first thing I have cast since. 

My old studio mate (Taylor Hale) asked for an in-progress pic. I sent her an "in-progress pic...kle." 

Finished result! Sterling silver and acrocarp moss. 

Meanwhile, I had previously assisted a casting with Susie Ganch. Susie approached me with the idea of making a piece of jewelry for Radical Jewelry Makeover by casting with some of the donated gold. This was such a great opportunity for me as I currently don't have the financial resources to work with gold (and ethically sourced gold at that!) I also knew I needed to get back in the saddle after being hurt while assisting a fellow student last semester. 

By using a slightly dulled scribe, I chased dappled detail into the finished ring. 

Blury studio shot, rear view. 

Front view. 14k Gold.

Happy family. 

There's always the risk of something you love hurting you. If/when it does give yourself as much time necessary to recover emotionally and physically. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, support you and push you when you need it. Do not ever give up. 

Graduation Looming

Can you feel it? It's buzzing in the air. The lingering idea that soon senior students across the nation  will be walking across that stage to receive proof that they are now qualified. Many are counting down the days. Or, if you're like me, you're trying to avoid calendars as much as possible.

You would think after being in college for 9 years I would be checking off each day in my planner as it passes. The truth is, as a Material Studies major at VCU, I have been kept busy and will be kept busy right until the very end. I'm sure it is like this at other colleges too.

This week was spring break at VCU and the weather was gorgeous! It truly felt like spring. Unfortunately, the splendid weather was not what kept me out of the studio but rather I was stuck in the house suffering from a bad case of food poisoning. Yuck!

This did allow me to have a bit of reading time and I chose to finish a fantastic book I had been enjoying by Bill Bryson titled, "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." Bryson, an American, moved to England around 1977 where he settled down with his English wife and kids. After 20 years the family decided to relocate to New Hampshire, USA. This book is essentially Bryson's attempt at understanding and dealing with his reverse culture shock, something I feel I suffer from no matter what continent I'm on.

I have to admit I was delighted when I came across a chapter in which he had included the speech he'd given to the graduating class of Kimball Union Academy.

Some of my favorite parts of this speech I found particularly practical for metalsmiths/ jewelers. For example, at one point Bryson states, "I've learned that if you touch a surface to see if it is hot, it will be." Other gems include, "I've learned it is seldom a good idea to take clothing off over your head while riding a bicycle. And I have learned that nearly all small animals want to bite me and always will."

I was going to summarize the speech but it's so fantastic and short and bulleted that I thought you'd rather read it for yourselves so...

You can read this address in full right HERE.

I know, I know, you're graduating and don't have a lot of time. We can't all have the luxury of being food poisoned but do give it a glance. It's worth it.

As a reward for getting to the bottom of this page here is a picture of me in my dress robes, I mean graduation gown. You can see I was a little confused by the proper way to wear the dress hood. For a second, I thought I was graduating from Hogwarts. My brother made the wand. 

Waiting for Inspiration? Don't.

If you're waiting around for your muse it can be a long time before she finally shows up. When it comes to inspiration you definitely need to meet it half way.

Chuck Close once said, "Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work." And, I believe this is a pretty accurate statement. If, as an artist, you sit around waiting for inspiration to strike you'll certainly never make a living.

This doesn't mean that professional artists or art students never get inspired though. I believe that by cultivating a variety of interests you, as an artist, are able to tap into an endless stream of inspirational possibilities.

What's great about living in the digital age is that there are now countless ways to do this! My friends who work in graphic design, photography and illustration LOVE Tumblr. Many of them sell prints through Society6. Browsing Etsy is a great way for those of us interested in production lines to check out what else is being sold out there and check our price points.

My addiction is Pinterest (Clink link to see my page). I find the most incredible contemporary craft images on that site. I love revisiting my boards for motivation. And not just my jewelry boards because I believe all of my interests feed my design choices.

Sample of my Jewelry board right now. 

Sample of my Gardening board. 

Sample of my Hooping board. As a jeweler I find myself sitting still for long periods of time. Hooping gets my energy up and gets my body moving! The wonderful ladies in these photos inspire me to stay motivated. 

If you're not sure where to start on Pinterest feel free to follow me or my Mother. She has 877 more followers than I do (1,049 in total) and has some truly exceptional boards.

The point of using tools like these to feed into your visual inspiration is that you end up internalizing the design elements you respond to and processing them through your own lens. I'm always looking at other artists work but I also allow the work I've already made to inform my next piece. Once you find a path you're interested in you can follow it to see where it takes you. But, don't be afraid of detours. Stay curious and remember to explore!

Speaking of detours, do you Instagram? I started my account today so feel free to check me out here. Add me, I follow back.

This is all I have right now. I was told the internet likes cats.

Simple Snowdrop Earrings

We're been having some very bizarre weather here in Virginia this winter. It was a gorgeous 70 degrees on Sunday and I was outside in the garden hooping away. But today! Today it was snowing.

However, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to photograph the earrings I made this weekend. They remind me a little of snowdrops. What do you all think?

They started off as practice for tube-setting rhinestones. I am planning on using reclaimed rhinestones for the piece I'm making for Radical Jewelry Makeover RVA. 

If you don't know about Radical Jewelry Makeover check it out HERE! And if you're in Richmond, VA come see the show in April! Follow us on Facebook HERE!