Hobbies can be fulfilling and exciting all at the same time, they can also play a crucial role in our life. But turning your hobby into a business has to be the most rewarding experience above all…surely?
Here's what I have discovered:
What is my project?
So, for the past five months, I have been busy making jewellery, beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and so much more. Every month I have been purchasing extra items, leading to a dramatic change to my dining room.
With limited storage space and nowhere to set up a permanent workstation, my dining room has now become my creativity room. My chances of appearing on “Come Dine With Me” or hosting a “candlelight supper” were always low anyway.
My daughter caught the creativity bug too, so we are collaborating on added items for the project, eventually selling all our products on Etsy. Some of my favourite moments recently have been spending some quality time in local coffee shops and cafes, having business meetings with her. Gosh, they do grow up fast don’t they?
Things I am most looking forward to
Being impatient here, but I can not wait to see some sales, hopefully having returning customers and more importantly, receiving daily orders. Is that too much to ask for?
Via social media, I am following far too many jewellery makers who have great businesses and I am so envious. They make it look so easy, but it really isn't. Part of me is glad I have my blog as an outlet because I am going to share with you the real struggles and truth behind starting a small online business.
Starting this journey in 2025, I am hoping things will get easier. The goal here is to be real organised, super creative and succeed.
Stuff I have learnt so far
Of course (there is always a side no one talks about) some things have already been feeling like a ‘block’ on what sounds like a simple idea.
For example:-
Learning the skills to actually make the jewellery. Getting frustrated over not being able to tie my bracelets up, losing my precious beads in the carpet, meaning most will end up the hoover and, working out, that finally I have the correct size elastic string. No one speaks of this!
Buying the products. I have ordered most of the items from the likes of Temu and Ali-Express, which if you don't happen to know already, take around 10 days to arrive at your home. Now, I am not the most patient person, so waiting to set up and make everything has driven me crazy. Ideas are running through my head constantly and I just want to be at the selling and packaging stage already.
Constantly thinking forward:-
Crazy ideas = making the jewellery
Selling the jewellery = website fees to pay
Once you have customers = buying all the packaging
Big packaging = fees to pay at the post office AND personal time to visit said post office
Postal fees = buying your own label printer
Customers' money = where does it all go?
A new Business = email address, social media and registered
Honestly, the list goes on, is it just me? And, is the juice worth the squeeze? No one speaks of this!
In summary
With everything in mind and the constant lack of sleep with making this hobby into a business, I have to keep creating the products. I have little spare time at the moment and that won't improve in the coming months, but I must keep going if this is going to succeed.
Thank you for reading this post, I will keep you updated.
J x
Add comment
Comments