In my quest to do what I love, I am realizing that I will have to face many things that I tried to avoid more or less, things that I have to work on:
1. I have to be more computer savvy. I can't even upload a picture without getting help from someone; my cousin, my boyfriend, even my little sister. I know the basics but in order to be more independent and survive this technology-driven world, I'd better step up. I can type and shrink a picture but there is still much to learn.
2. Be more outgoing. I am shy by nature. My shyness is almost sporadic, there are some people I've known for a few years now and I still have trouble talking to them. If I want to sell my pieces in stores and at events like Feria Urbana, then I will have to break out of my shell.
3. Be a master of organization. I have been in business for a year now, but there are still things that I need to pull together. I need to organize my receipts and such on Quickbooks, having said that, I have to GET the program. I need to make stock and put my pieces up for sale on Etsy. I have to take some small business courses so I don't crash and burn once my business is finally up and running. I have the talent but I am wondering if I have the business sense. If I want this to be my career, I have to get going. I have to change things. Otherwise, Jenalyn Lorenzo Jewelry will not go too far. That would be a tragedy. I have the image of getting thrown back into a cursed cubicle to motivate me.
4. Get out of my own way. With all these things in mind, I am anxious about finally displaying my pieces on Etsy and in stores. What if no one wants to buy them? What if people just try to copy my ideas? What if I tank? These are all things that I have to consider when I put so much of myself on display. These pieces are my children and I would never make anything I wouldn't wear or wouldn't be proud to sell. I just have to bite the bullet and sell, sell, sell!
I also need to stock up/research the following:
*logo
*earring tags
*packaging - case, gift wrap, bubble wrap, etc
*necklace cards
*shipping costs
*further photography, need more angles and detail shots.
*I'm sure there's more I need to take care of *whew*
I have come a long way in the past nine years since reawakening my love of jewelry. I have seen pieces that I made when I was just a young 22 year old and compare them to the things I have made now and am proud of the progress and the growth I have made, despite all the things that I still need to work on.
Here's to looking up and forward.
Monday, February 9, 2009
TRISHA EARRINGS
Trisha EarringsThis pair of earrings is one of my favorite designs. A little bit random, elegant, and very unique plus it has some of my favorite colors. I am still unsure of what name to give to this design. I want to be consistent with the names I give to my pieces, so I want to use the names of my (female) family and friends, because without them, I wouldn't know where I would be today. I was thinking of naming these earrings after my lovely friend, Trisha because she is awesome. Contagious laugh, so thoughtful, stylish, vibrant, and is a true 'ride or die' chick haha ... she is loyal to the very end. I have fun whenever I hang out with her. She has this energy about her that makes you want to pour out your life story to her just seconds after meeting her, believe me, I've seen it happen. I have also fallen under that spell. She loves to travel, loves babies, firefighters (hahaha) and to be creative. She also loves every single piece of jewelry I give her. Always a plus.
I met her in our English class about a year after I started at Cal State Hayward, around 2002. We studied together, went to the mall, even cut class together to go to the mall together, (sorry, professors!) and I haven't seen her in awhile but I know that whenever we do hang out, it's as if nothing has changed. After everything I've endured in the past couple of years, I appreciate her friendship all the more because it is based on us having so many things in common compared to just loving to go out clubbing. It is a deeper relationship than some friendships I have had that lasted since high school. This girl is a true example of quality over quality.
I don't know how I would have lasted at CSUH (I'm gonna call it Hayward no matter what) without her.
I miss you, woman! Let's go watch Twilight again. Hahahah :)
MY GOALS
I have to keep these somewhere or I'll lose track. Must stay focused.
1. To marry my squishy bf and have 2-3 children. Not sure of the number. We'll fly by ear.
2. To be able to do what I love for the rest of my life.
3. To be able to support myself by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
4. To be able to support myself, said bf (husband), and our offspring by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
5. To be well-known and loved for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
6. To be able to quit my day job.
7. To have an awesome studio with lots of modern, clean storage and shelves that I love to keep ORGANIZED and a fantastic workbench for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
8. To be able to have that studio in a nice house in a great neighborhood with lots of rooms, one for each child and still have my studio.
9. To be constantly motivated, creative, and inspired.
Lately, I've been staying up late and reading other jewelry designers' blogs, I love to read about what inspires them and their thought processes. I should update this blog more often. Maybe one day, someone will be inspired by MY thoughts...
1. To marry my squishy bf and have 2-3 children. Not sure of the number. We'll fly by ear.
2. To be able to do what I love for the rest of my life.
3. To be able to support myself by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
4. To be able to support myself, said bf (husband), and our offspring by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
5. To be well-known and loved for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
6. To be able to quit my day job.
7. To have an awesome studio with lots of modern, clean storage and shelves that I love to keep ORGANIZED and a fantastic workbench for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
8. To be able to have that studio in a nice house in a great neighborhood with lots of rooms, one for each child and still have my studio.
9. To be constantly motivated, creative, and inspired.
Lately, I've been staying up late and reading other jewelry designers' blogs, I love to read about what inspires them and their thought processes. I should update this blog more often. Maybe one day, someone will be inspired by MY thoughts...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
ISSUES ON MY MIND
As a jewelry designer, I will readily admit that I am not organized. A sad, sad fact. Ask my parents, they will attest to this ... ha. ha. I am trying to remedy this. Maybe if I start small, I will be motivated to organize the other things I've been lagging on ... like my receipts from the past year. State taxes are due at the end of January or ELSE. EEP. The joys of having your own business...
I have gone through several versions of jewelry containers over the years. I'm obsessed with small things, small containers, etc. I've had the ever present plastic baggies contained in several makeup bags. This solution has caused me to continuously root through the dark bag for the intended pair of earrings, sometimes I freak out thinking I have lost something when I really haven't. Imagine the unnecessary stress repeated every time I look in my jewelry bag! I am currently using a travel case from The Container Store where I can finally see all my pieces and it only costs $15.
I've been looking for more pretty jewelry storage ideas for my bedroom which would keep them in the open, not in a drawer. Considering the financial situation, the two requirements would be cheap and pretty. I don't want a plastic container with compartments for my earrings, because I like to have my pieces on display to motivate me and they are a representation of the progress I have made as a designer.
I've been searching everywhere for storage, so far I have found the frame with the wire screen, a jewelry frame carved out of wood, a cork board covered with fabric, and the jewelry tree at varying prices.
Today, I went shopping with my boyfriend and at Ichi Ban Kan in Burlingame, a Japanese dollar store. They were $1.50 each so I "splurged" and bought three. Ooooh ... I'm a BIG spender. Maybe this will be the thing to motivate me to organize the rest of my room and finally convert it into a jewelry design studio.
My next goal ... a fantastic workbench. Um, when I can afford it. Stay tuned.
I have gone through several versions of jewelry containers over the years. I'm obsessed with small things, small containers, etc. I've had the ever present plastic baggies contained in several makeup bags. This solution has caused me to continuously root through the dark bag for the intended pair of earrings, sometimes I freak out thinking I have lost something when I really haven't. Imagine the unnecessary stress repeated every time I look in my jewelry bag! I am currently using a travel case from The Container Store where I can finally see all my pieces and it only costs $15.
I've been looking for more pretty jewelry storage ideas for my bedroom which would keep them in the open, not in a drawer. Considering the financial situation, the two requirements would be cheap and pretty. I don't want a plastic container with compartments for my earrings, because I like to have my pieces on display to motivate me and they are a representation of the progress I have made as a designer.
I've been searching everywhere for storage, so far I have found the frame with the wire screen, a jewelry frame carved out of wood, a cork board covered with fabric, and the jewelry tree at varying prices.
Today, I went shopping with my boyfriend and at Ichi Ban Kan in Burlingame, a Japanese dollar store. They were $1.50 each so I "splurged" and bought three. Ooooh ... I'm a BIG spender. Maybe this will be the thing to motivate me to organize the rest of my room and finally convert it into a jewelry design studio.
My next goal ... a fantastic workbench. Um, when I can afford it. Stay tuned.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
GETTING STARTED
My name is Jenalyn Lorenzo and I am 31 years old as of December 21, 1977. I graduated from Cal State Hayward (now known as Cal State East Bay ... boooooooo ... I am NOT happy with that name change at ALL.) I graduated with an English major but my real passion is sparkly things. I'm like a fish, anything and everything sparkly catches my eye. I have been making jewelry for almost 9 years now, and I recently decided to turn it into a business. I got my business license on January 2, 2008. I thought finally gathering up the nerve to get my license would be a good way to start the new year, and it turned out to be so much easier than I thought.
I have created this blog, with the help of my loving boyfriend and cousin, my website jenalynlorenzo.com was created, and opened an account on Etsy.com, my favorite site. I could stay on that site for hours!! I am inspired by the countless sellers like myself who have their own store, have sold so many pieces, and envious that they were able to quit their day job for their passion.
THAT is my dream. Although, I have graduated with an English major, I realized that I don't want to be a teacher. I have so much love for those that do, it is a crazy job. I just cannot see myself stuck in a stuffy classroom for eight hours a day. I have tried, believe me, but I can't force myself. True, there are so many options for a career in this field but I can't see myself in any of them.
I just see myself surrounded by vivid colors, oxidized silver with callouses on my hands from all the beauty that I have created. It is my goal to be able to support myself with my creativity, to love what I do.
I have tried to steer away from my passion, I've been told that it's just good enough for a side job, that I don't have the business skills for this career, that I need a nest egg in order to finance Jenalyn Lorenzo Jewelry. In other words, obtain a regular 9 to 5 job. Ugh.
However, even though I've heard these things, it doesn't stop me. I just don't see myself doing anything else. As the great man, Randy Pausch said, "brick walls are only there to show you how much you want something." (I may be paraphrasing, but that's the general idea.)
I am the Master Procrastinator. I am my own brick wall. Haha. I need to take photos of my pieces for Etsy and my site, create MORE stock, finish some overdue projects, and find the perfect packaging. Those are just the beginning of a long list of tasks that I need to complete. It will be awhile before I consider my business up and ready to go.
This blog, for example, was created at least two months ago. This is my first entry. You could say that I have had a lot of meditation time. So I apologize in advance for any lagging that may take place on my blog or Etsy. I am trying to change all of that. In the past couple of years, I have worked at a few places and parted ways with said places for various reasons. Those momentous changes crystallized my desire to be ecstatic about my career path. I don't want to work in an office environment anymore. I don't want to be in food service ever again. I want to be comfortable and wear whatever I want, set my own business hours. In other words, be my own boss. That plus the compliments garnered by the pieces that I have made as gifts for friends and family are what have fueled my transition from "bead freak" to entrepreneur.
I am inspired by vivid colors, especially cobalt blue, unique construction, one-of-a-kind stones. I love to inject a little rebellious elegance into my pieces. I love leather cuffs, actually, any kind of accessories of course, white button down shirts, motorcycle boots, Tokidoki, gadgets, and Urban Decay makeup, and martial arts. I would only wear a dress for a special occasion, like a wedding. High heels are gorgeous, but they are not my best friend. I'm a bit too clumsy ... I am more of a classic, punk-ish, sporty girl. I strive to make my pieces versatile, lightweight, modern, asymmetrical, and of course, original. I want to be proud of each and every twist, every link, every headpin. I am notorious for dismantling something great in favor of something awesome. "Great" just isn't enough for me.
Thank you for reading my first entry and I hope you enjoyed it and come back for more! I won't ramble as much, I promise.
I have created this blog, with the help of my loving boyfriend and cousin, my website jenalynlorenzo.com was created, and opened an account on Etsy.com, my favorite site. I could stay on that site for hours!! I am inspired by the countless sellers like myself who have their own store, have sold so many pieces, and envious that they were able to quit their day job for their passion.
THAT is my dream. Although, I have graduated with an English major, I realized that I don't want to be a teacher. I have so much love for those that do, it is a crazy job. I just cannot see myself stuck in a stuffy classroom for eight hours a day. I have tried, believe me, but I can't force myself. True, there are so many options for a career in this field but I can't see myself in any of them.
I just see myself surrounded by vivid colors, oxidized silver with callouses on my hands from all the beauty that I have created. It is my goal to be able to support myself with my creativity, to love what I do.
I have tried to steer away from my passion, I've been told that it's just good enough for a side job, that I don't have the business skills for this career, that I need a nest egg in order to finance Jenalyn Lorenzo Jewelry. In other words, obtain a regular 9 to 5 job. Ugh.
However, even though I've heard these things, it doesn't stop me. I just don't see myself doing anything else. As the great man, Randy Pausch said, "brick walls are only there to show you how much you want something." (I may be paraphrasing, but that's the general idea.)
I am the Master Procrastinator. I am my own brick wall. Haha. I need to take photos of my pieces for Etsy and my site, create MORE stock, finish some overdue projects, and find the perfect packaging. Those are just the beginning of a long list of tasks that I need to complete. It will be awhile before I consider my business up and ready to go.
This blog, for example, was created at least two months ago. This is my first entry. You could say that I have had a lot of meditation time. So I apologize in advance for any lagging that may take place on my blog or Etsy. I am trying to change all of that. In the past couple of years, I have worked at a few places and parted ways with said places for various reasons. Those momentous changes crystallized my desire to be ecstatic about my career path. I don't want to work in an office environment anymore. I don't want to be in food service ever again. I want to be comfortable and wear whatever I want, set my own business hours. In other words, be my own boss. That plus the compliments garnered by the pieces that I have made as gifts for friends and family are what have fueled my transition from "bead freak" to entrepreneur.
I am inspired by vivid colors, especially cobalt blue, unique construction, one-of-a-kind stones. I love to inject a little rebellious elegance into my pieces. I love leather cuffs, actually, any kind of accessories of course, white button down shirts, motorcycle boots, Tokidoki, gadgets, and Urban Decay makeup, and martial arts. I would only wear a dress for a special occasion, like a wedding. High heels are gorgeous, but they are not my best friend. I'm a bit too clumsy ... I am more of a classic, punk-ish, sporty girl. I strive to make my pieces versatile, lightweight, modern, asymmetrical, and of course, original. I want to be proud of each and every twist, every link, every headpin. I am notorious for dismantling something great in favor of something awesome. "Great" just isn't enough for me.
Thank you for reading my first entry and I hope you enjoyed it and come back for more! I won't ramble as much, I promise.
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