Always finding the joy in the journey!
I am only at the very beginning of my journey in starting my own shop. Well, that's a technical way of looking at it. I've always gravitated toward anything and everything creative my whole life. Whether it was being very young and only have crayons, markers and paint at my disposal, or constantly changing my room around for aesthetic gratification. Ultimately following my artistic heart was what I was meant to do.
About 8 years ago before my first son was born my sister and I began hand painting wine glasses for gifts and then decided to take a shot at selling them at a local flea market. Overall it went well and we learned a great deal from the experience. The number one thing by far that we got out of it was our realization that starting our own handmade business was not just a dream anymore but a goal.
There was countless efforts throughout the next few years to get things going for both of us. However, we were both having and raising our own young kids and the timing was not in our favor. Even now our kids are still quite young but it is much more manageable to pursue our ultimate goal. During the past few years our creative ideas took us down different roads but we are still incredibly supportive of each other.
I fell in love with pebble art within the last few years. It started when I was looking for an idea to make as an engagement gift. Shortly after, I made a few more for someone else. The gears in my mind started to turn. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this framed art. It was relaxing to do and rewarding to see the finished product. I sold a few here or there to people that I knew.
I think I can really turn this into my art business!
.... but wait... can I really be successful with this?
Yes, the doubts began to creep up unfortunately. But its not just a dream anymore, its my goal. I started to buy a bunch a frames and other materials I needed to really begin. I collected items from my natural surroundings here in upstate New York. I also collected pebbles while in Maine at our family vacation home. Then I got to work.
To my surprise, I was selling them as I was making them. I would send a picture to family members and to friends for honest feedback and next thing I knew people just wanted to purchase them. The rest were kept a secret.... well, until now. I've built a small inventory to start my shop and now I'm looking forward to sharing my artwork with shop visitors and creating more original ideas and custom orders.
I'm excited to finally be at the "technical beginning" of starting my own shop!
