I just read an article this morning where Warren Buffett
claimed a person could increase their wealth simply by becoming a story teller.
Evidently he has not visited my blog or my Etsy shop as I have been writing
stories and trying to sell my wares for years. But hey, I’m up to giving it
another go…
I make jewelry, usually pretty funky, unique, one-of-a-kind
pieces. That’s because I don’t use patterns or directions; I just wing it.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I often forget how I did it and,
there again, why there is only one like it! I do repeat concepts I like, for
example, my Tree of Life necklaces. I was sitting in a tavern some years ago
with my niece making some necklaces when she told me I should sell them. She
even helped my find a shop to sell them in and I did this for a short while. I’ve
made several throughout the years, sold some, kept some, and gifted a few.
I sell my jewelry with the intent to make money, but that is
not my main goal. I create because it feels good in my brain; it relaxes me and
gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Now that I’m retired I can
do this activity more often and at my leisure—profit be damned (though it would
really be nice to increase my revenue by 50%).
Nearly each piece of jewelry I create entails a story. Sometimes
a creation springs from a dream. I’ve wakened to an image design or pattern
solution. I usually create in silence. Music playing in the background would be
cool, but I’m a person content with my own thoughts and working my craft allows
for not just free willing a design, but for my thoughts to go where they may.
This tree design, as it unfolds, takes me back to family (as many of my pieces do).
I can hardly make a tree without thinking of my niece. My brother was there sitting at the table with us and
commented on how he’d like to see a tree with really small beads. My artist
brother helpfully critic many of my of a pieces through the years as he was a very detail oriented person. So, about 8 years
ago, I bought really small size beads (#15—ironcally, the larger the number the
smaller the bead!) and then they just sat on my shelf—I’m a hoarder of craft
items by the way—until I finally decided to use them in this project. 
When making a tree I hammer out a piece of copper. Once I have
the size and shape desired I use about 8 strands of copper wire. Because these
beads were so small I had to reduce the size of wire I usually use and went
down in size (26 guage—again, the higher the number the smaller the wire). Then
to decide on a color scheme…I love blue so it is difficult to pick another
color. This time the small beads determined the color—green. I usually try to
include at least three color variances, or more; this time two greens, and a
red. I threw in a left over faux wood bead I’d used in another design. This is
the first time I’ve made a fruit tree out of my Tree of Life. The thought
popped into my head that the tree should be fruitful…maybe it is because my
daughter is expecting twins and I recently found out my niece is expecting. Let
there be fruit! And so I put apples on the tree!
It’s not much of a story, I admit, but a story nevertheless.
And when my Apple Tree of Life necklace is done I will either keep it, sell it
or give it away.
Warren Buffett article in CNBC: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/buffett-shares-an-easy-way-to-increase-your-worth-by-50-percent/ar-BBQxGXK?ocid=spartandhp
