I'm setting a goal for myself to sell at least one item in my Artisans Cooperative shop this month.
I have a secondary goal of making at least €100 Euros this month, but that depends WHAT gets sold.
For this post I'm bringing up my autistic pride/acceptance stress balls~
Please consider supporting a fellow autistic by buying one for yourself or an autistic person in your life!
I have so few spoons to promote my stuff rn so boosts would be HUGE. Feel free even to make your own posts with links to my shop on other platforms, idgaf.
Starting to think about my upcoming show with American Craft Made Baltimore. There’s a lot to plan and create ahead of a big show like this. I’ve learned over the years that starting as early as possible gives me the most flexibility to create my best work. The more time I have the more likely I am to take a creative risk and try something new. It seems that the closer a deadline approaches I start to focus on tried and true pieces and spend more of my time working on things I know have worked in the past. I’m really excited to be bringing some of the new work I created over the last few months to this show. Trying to stay consistent with my studio time every day!
I started out making jewelry in 2015 as a hobby while I was on my first deployment in the United States Navy. Soon after returning home I made a couple pieces for close friends and family but never thought about making a business out of it. In fact, I tried a few multi-level marketing (I guess that's what they are called) Itworks, BeachBody, Amway, basically a few things where you sell products and try to get others to sign up to sell products "with" you. BOO! Not a fan. I wanted to run a business but I felt no passion for the products of services. The only thing I was proud of was things I made myself.
Fast forwarding a few years, (a lot happened but this is the summary). I was still in the Navy and it was taking up ALL OF MY TIME but I managed to fall in love <3 and get married in 2021. I decided to leave the Navy in 2022 to start a family and pursue something I was passionate about, but the only PROBLEM was it had been YEARS since I had really been creative or had a creative space to work in. But we just bought a house so space wasn't the issue anymore.
I had to take some time to "re-discover" myself, which any veteran can tell you after they separate from the service, you sort of forget a lot about yourself when you assimilate into the military because individuality really isn't a thing (no regrets though). I worked as a contractor for the Navy from March 2022 - Nov 2023 but decided to step away from that with the help of my supportive hubby :) I really needed to get my own identity back. I did some spring (REALLY FALL) cleaning, which led me to breaking out the cases of jewelry making supplies that were long forgotten in storage. It brought back some wonderful emotions! And that's when I remembered how much I enjoyed making things with my hands and coming up with creative designs.
And just like that, I got bit by the creative bug and I couldn't be happier about it. I began creating pieces like a mad woman and now with the confidence (thanks Navy) that I COULD DO THIS FOR A LIVING!! MAKING THINGS! AND BEING HAPPY DOING IT! So that is what I am doing. Making things whether by hand or designing in the digital space (which I have also been really enjoying). I have sold my pieces at several markets and pop-up locations since December 2023 and I am still deciding what I want to go back to school for (Also HUGE THANK YOU NAVY) but I am leaning toward graphic design and business. I am in the middle of building my web-site for my online Gift Shop (cuz Mamas got plans) which will be coming SOON. I have been making moves like mad...tripping, stumbling and blundering my way through Etsy and social media. But it is all for a greater goal and that is to build a successful business that I can run from my home while I raise our future children.
And lastly that brings me to tell you about the name "Eudaimond". It's a name I made from the word Eudaimonia, which translates to happiness, or more accurately "human flourishing". This resonated deeply with me and it became the name of my business. It represents my current journey for a happy and purposeful life. When you shop with Eudaimond, you shop with a purpose. Whether it's a gift for others or yourself, the act is intentional and your time is important. And I want to provide intentional products worth that time.
Thanks for being here.
some fresh new bath bombs, each painted by hand and loaded with color to bring some fun and fizz to your water. Kitty is almost too cute to melt.. but I will.
Hello and I hope life is treating you well, I have a wonderful happy smiley 7month old boy now who alongside his amazing big sister is keeping me happy and also exhausted 🙂 For the last few months my shop has been partially open while I get used to being a mammy of two and figuring out how we move forward. I have decided on some big changes so without further ado.
I am going to continue…
American Craft Made Baltimore was such a blast this year! I have so much gratitude for this incredible artists community. I remember when I was in college and working for an artist at this very show and I thought “one day I would love to be an artist here.” 6 years later I applied and found myself in their emerging artist program.
One of the greatest joys of doing this show has been getting to know the other artists. I love my little artist family and it’s so much fun to to have our annual dinner together and catch up. I’m always so inspired by their work and work ethic and it’s so interesting to hear everyone’s new ideas.
I ended up being interviewed for tv twice during this show, it was nerve wracking but it was also a really good learning experience. I’m still not super great when it comes to talking about my work more professionally. I tend to get very nervous when put on the spot like that! But this was a good challenge to try and speak more honestly about how I create and why.
There’s a lot of orders I’m still working through from the show and I have a lot on my plate coming up. I’ll be pretty busy for the next month! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the show!