I’ve got news: I quit my job.
Yup, it’s been one full week since I stopped working. I’m starting a new chapter in life, and I’m taking the time off to pursue this whole jewelry-making thing.
This decision might seem kind of random, but it’s one that Jeff and I have been talking about for a while now. And it’s something I’ve inadvertently blogged about. You may remember my Driven series, where I interviewed various people who quit their day job to pursue their passion. It was so inspiring to see other people go after their dreams. I lived vicariously through them, since I couldn’t do the same.
You might also remember my Mini Me Would Rather Be posts on Instagram. MiniMe is a little figure that looked like me, back when I had bangs. I’d draw her into a different scenario every day, depicting things I wish I could do instead of sitting at my desk working. And now, since I have the time to pursue my passions, there’s no need for MiniMe to want to do something else. Either that, or I’ve got to live it up.
I’m still not 100% sure what life in the near future is going to look like, but I can tell you things I plan on doing:
• I plan on taking more metalsmithing classes. This means metal fabrication, as well as casting classes.
• I plan on getting my own jeweler’s bench at home, so I can get good enough to make pieces to sell.
• I plan on networking with people in the jewelry industry. There’s so much to learn about how this business works, and it all varies depending on what kind of jewelry you make (high end versus day-to-day jewelry). I met with a gemologist earlier this week, and feel like I got a crash course in diamonds. There’s so much I don’t know.
I’d also like to tell you things I’d like to do:
• I’d like to find some sort of apprenticeship or jewelry job, where I can get hands on experience.
• I’d like to work on my etsy shop.
• I’d like to read more books.
• I’d like to take Hattie out on more walks, without having to rush to get to work after.
• I’d like to finally decorate the house.
• I’d like to cook dinner more (wait…who am I kidding?)
• I’d like to go visit my parents in Boston more.
I feel really fortunate that I can take this time off to pursue jewelry-making, and to discover myself. And I’d love to share my thoughts and life experience through all this in future blog posts. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!
