Recessionistas, Unite!

When it comes to the economy, I am just as worried as the next person. I have bills and debt and student loans and rent and all of that awesome stuff that keeps me up at night. Freelancing is amazing, but it's not as steady as I'd like it to be. Sometimes I go a week without a writing project and I feel like I'm going to lose it, and then I get seven all at once. It's crazy.

Anyway, my friends are getting laid off left and right. I keep hearing stories all over the internet, too, that have me fearing the future. I was on this one fashion forum recently when a fellow forum member told her story about losing her job. I had no idea, at the time, that this story of unexpected job loss would turn out to be so incredibly inspirational.

I contacted her and asked her if she would tell her story to the readers of my blog. Erin (that's her name) was more than happy to.

I began designing jewelry nearly six years ago. I saw a beaded necklace that I wanted from an online boutique that was well over $200, and thought, ‘I could make that.’ I didn’t exactly know what I was doing, but I made my version of that necklace, then another necklace, and I was addicted. Soon thereafter friends began commissioning me to make them pieces, and thus, my business was born. I took a class at a local bead shop to make sure I knew what I was doing, which to date is the only jewelry class I’ve taken. I’d love to say that this is because I’m a complete natural, that I just pick everything up easily. While partially true (I am mostly self-taught), a big reason I haven’t taken that metalworking class I’ve been meaning to take for two years was my j o b. My day job, that is.

Concurrent to this entrepreneurial tale is the (significantly less exciting) story of my career. Like many crafty, artistic folks I needed a “real” job to keep me afloat. 8 to 5 I spent in an office, and nights and weekends were spent trying to muster up enough energy to make jewelry, update my website, peddle my wares. Sometimes the energy was there, more often it wasn’t. I’d get really motivated when I had an art show coming up, for example, then afterward would crash and not make a single piece for months and months. I would talk about finally taking that class but never sign up for it, finally start my Etsy store, talk about many things I could do with my talent, but never make them happen. It was a frustrating cycle.

Then last Monday everything changed. Like so many people I’d been hearing about on the news, I was laid off from my job. Nothing personal, times are tough and I just didn’t have a job anymore. I was sad, angry, and devastated, but I was also…motivated. All of the sudden I had ALL THIS TIME. Time to do what I wanted with, not someone else. It was completely scary, but also exhilarating.

My very first days as a full-time jewelry designer I decided to do something that I’d been putting off for well over a year. Maybe even two – I lost track. I created my Etsy site. Etsy is one of my favorite places on earth (okay, I know it’s not an actual “place,” but it really is kind of like a magical land). That site has really taken off in the past year and it’s so exciting that there’s such a huge market for original, handmade items. I knew I needed to be a part of it, but again with the 8-5 life, I never made the time. Four days later, on Friday morning, I got the final pieces of my current collection up, and my Etsy page was complete. It felt awesome, and instead of crashing, I turned right around and started making more things to put up.

I still have a ways to go towards making my passion my full-time gig, but this is a start. Will I have to take another job someday to help fuel what I really want to do? Perhaps, but I’m not rushing into it. I have no time for a job right now – I have jewelry to make.

What struck me about her amazing story is this fact: so many people hate their jobs. Their jobs are neccessary for them to pay bills and maintain their lifestyle but almost everyone would rather be doing something else. Instead of letting dire economic crises and job loss ruin her life, Erin took it in stride and turned the negative into the postitive. This is the most inspirational thing I've read in a long time. It should give all of you out there the ability to replace fear with hope. If you lose your job, you can finally start painting, or sewing your own clothes, or trying your hand at being a personal stylist. It's funny how our careers can sometimes stand in the way of our dreams. Stepping out of a dead-end career is usually the best thing that's ever happened to us!


Okay, here's the best part. Erin's jewelry is fantastic. No, really. It's awesome. I am crazy about it. Here are some examples of stuff for sale in her Etsy store:



















Awesome, right? I told you! She is offering a 10% discount for readers of High Fashion Girl. Convo her on etsy, or leave me a comment to obtain her email address. Be sure to mention my blog for the discount!

My first thought after seeing the stuff available in her etsy store is, "I'm so happy she got fired!" I know that sounds mean, but I meant it in the most positive way possible. She is obviously a talented jewelry designer, and getting fired enabled her to put her stuff out there for sale. So maybe it's totally selfish because I want, like, every piece she has for sale, but I'm really happy this is the trajectory her life is on right now. It's inspiring and it puts a big grin on my face!