For twenty five years I’ve been praying for God to grow my business in the way that’s best for me – and he has done just that! I’m a self taught metalsmith and jewelry designer and I’ve learned so much over the years – by trial and error of course!
I think it’s finally time to take my business, Presence Jewelry Designs, to the next level. And that means hiring someone again to help with the hammering, especially for one of my most popular designs – the Presence Swirly Scarf Slide – that I created about 15 years ago (and actually got a design copyright on).
While my kids were young I definitely wasn’t able to create full time, so the business developed slowly during those years. As they got older I started selling my work in shops and at arts & crafts festivals, which were time consuming but so much fun! I loved meeting customers and getting feedback on my work. The extra cash didn’t hurt either! And my two daughters loved to come along to help.
I remember during every busy holiday season (Oct-Dec) when sales were highest, my husband at the time would get really pumped for me to produce more, and make more money! (He helped me with setup and breakdown for my shows which was a huge help) But I knew I wasn’t ready for that to happen yet. I only had so much time to make jewelry while still caring for my kids and driving them to all their activities. And it’s a lot easier to be a small business owner if you aren’t responsible for hand making every piece of your inventory!
So I did what I felt God wanted me to do at that time, which was to continue creating new designs and growing my business at a pace that worked best for me. I just wasn’t the artist who could handle getting a huge order and THEN finding a way to make it all!
I knew that when my kids got older and closer to being out of school, I would have the time I needed to create more, and to experiment with new ways to promote my business.
I love this verse in the Bible that reminded me that I could trust God to help me know which way to go with the business.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
I believe one reason God didn’t grow Presence Jewelry super fast, is because he knew what I would be dealing with in my fifties – anxiety and depression three different times before I turned sixty. And each time totally losing the desire to make jewelry, let alone work a business. I didn’t have the energy to do much of anything.
Thankfully after the last time of having depression ( or “treatment resistant depression” as it’s called – which is just another way for doctors to say they can’t find the right combination of meds!) that lasted three long years, my Psych PA suggested a kind of genetic testing that might show what medications my body would best respond to. And that’s how we found a combination that worked for me.
I was ready to jump back in with the business! That’s when I decided to open an online Etsy shop, and to promote my business on Instagram and Facebook. But no more outdoor shows! God was leading me in a different direction.
Show me the path, Oh Lord;Point out the road for me to follow. – Psalm 25:4 (NLT)
In 2021 I moved back to the beach town where I lived when I was in high school. For five years I worked hard and the business got back on track and was growing – with me selling some wholesale and also having a shop in a local vendor market, in addition to the Etsy shop. All was well with Presence Jewelry in spite of going through a separation and divorce after I turned sixty.
Then last summer, seemingly out of the blue, I was once again sidelined with anxiety/depression. I closed one vendor shop and put my Etsy shop “on vacation” (funny since we all know that depression ain’t no vacation!) Can ya see what a rollercoaster ride being an artist can be? Talk about behind-the-scenes!
Thank God that depression only lasted seven or eight months! This summer has been amazing and I’m so grateful to be back to my (not) old self. And it looks like God is lining up some big things for Presence Jewelry Designs. I’m hoping to collaborate with a local non-profit in Wilmington. So stay tuned!