'Dark Rose' by Jessica Van Den

It hit me last night – as I lay awake at 2:30 in the morning, thinking about my jewellery designs and business – that I have found my passion.

I have never had a ‘proper hobby’ before – as in something that occupied my mind in my spare hours, that I loved to do – except perhaps reading.

I’ve always wanted to find that thing that drove me on, that I wanted to do whenever I was doing something else… and now I finally have! Part of me is hesitant to claim my craft as my passion. See, I have a terrible tendency to get really interested in something for a short time, and then forget all about it. This time, however, it seems to be sticking!

I think working across a number of different media helps. I get bored easily, and having a number of different things to work on means I always have something I want to be creating. My mind will leap ahead to what I want to learn – such as metal smithing – and will then hop onto a new earring design, before focussing on the next sea glass necklace (I sold my first sea glass necklace yesterday on Etsy – I was so stoked!)

It really increases the joy I have in my life, and starting to sell what I make – knowing that other people love it enough to pay for it!! – has its own special reward. The ‘day job’ I work in is education-related, so while I do get the satisfaction of seeing children grow and learn, I have never before made anything concrete and tangible.

Finding an online community of people who are equally passionate about what they create has opened up a whole new world for me, and I am very greatful to be a part of such a creative, friendly, and passionate group of artisans.

I’m hoping that what I create now will lead me towards bigger and brighter things, and that perhaps, one day, I could spend all of my time doing what I love.

* * * *

Visit Epheriell Designs tomorrow to read the first of a new series by guest bloggers – My Crafty Journey! Each Thursday, a new artisan will write a post outlining how they came to be living a creative life – and how they were drawn to their particular craft. Our first guest is Theresa Mink, of Classic Design, who has made the Etsy ‘Top Sellers’ list!