as most of you know who read my writing, very little of it is personal. i've always held close that side of my life that is difficult or challenging unless there is a greater story to share.
this time is different. for those who may remember, my mom died in february - i made the trip back to the east coast from california, but didn't make it in time to say goodbye in person.
the trip, two colics with my horse and an emergency splenectomy for mr. tee (at 13 1/2) and the small savings reserve i had vanished. add to this tale of woe, sunday is officially my 99th week of unemployment.
still with me so far? well, i do get social security that doesn't cover the rent, which, by now is months overdue. so, i'm back to doing what i do best... selling.
as a never say die person, if you are interested in jumping the squiggle, i'll explain...
i've always supported myself through creative solutions - i was a costume designer for the ballet for decades - one of four tutu makers in the u.s. at one time. when reagan cut the funding for the arts, that business dried up in less than three months. so, i became a computer consultant... then many other fun things, including designing and making jewelry.
so, now i'm returning to what i know how to do best: getting creative!
some of you encouraged me to put my jewelry on etsy - and i was so shocked when within two hours, several pieces had sold! now, i'm in a major push to add more pieces because (here is where the scary part comes in) - i have only until the 15th of january to catch up on my rent or i lose my cottage/home. yes, it's a rental and no, my landlords are not bad people. they are very GOOD people with a small business and they cannot afford to carry me and still take care of an elderly parent.
i'm not looking at forever broke. if/when my sister finally settles and sells mom's house, i'll be once again able to create my way forward... but, right now, i'm in trouble - and i'm coming here - tentatively - to ask for help in the form of checking out my jewelry and, perhaps, find a reason to go shopping. birthday? valentine? anniversary? or, maybe because a piece just strikes your fancy...
in return, i'd like to give back to this community - and i think i've found a way to do that. on etsy, there is a fee to sell. instead of selling to this community through etsy, i'm setting up my old blogger account and for each piece that sells, i'll donate that "fee" plus a bit more to the subscription fund (both deadlines coincide, i believe!)
so, for every piece, every order for a custom piece, i'll donate 10% back to the small donors fund - and any who choose can get double bonuses - a beautiful piece of jewelry AND money that goes to help TWO people!
so, i'm posting this and tomorrow (or in the wee hours tonite) i'll have the link up to the jewelry and the types of jewelry that can be ordered custom (birthstone, size, length, etc.)
i'm also adding into the mix the remainder of the jewelry i used to sell at gem shows - i have some commercial pieces that are quite beautiful - jade hoops, pearl items, etc.
okay - slipping out of here - and thank you for reading this far.
oh, if anyone wants to know the amount i'm in deep over - with what i've got on hand, i'm still $4,800 shy - but if i can get a jump on that amount, that will hopefully buy me a bit more time. there. i've done it. and i'm still breathing! WOOT!!!
UPDATE: I'll be offline for a bit - i'm going to set up the blogger page and put up pictures of the materials i have on hand right now. i'll check back and forth between posting and putting items online.
UPDATE 2: several have asked about how to access my paypal account - go to paypal.com and fill in information on right side of page. if listed as a gift for family and friends, there are no paypal fees deducted. my email address is edrie dot blackwelder at gmail dot com. i really messed up that link - sorry. this should work now.
UPDATE 3: okay, so i TOTALLY blew it on linking to paypal... my email address does NOT end in "paypal.com" - it ends in gmail.com... so, here is the correct email address - i've put it out here enough, i totally expect yall to send me hi's and come by when you're in the area! (norcal) the correct email addy is this:
edrie dot blackwelder at gmail dot com
THIS time, it's right!
working on taking pictures to post... looks like the first pictures and links will be up by tomorrow morning california time.
Fri Jan 06, 2012 at 10:36 AM PT: OFF to chiropractor for tweaked back - back in a few hours... then more jewelry put together to put up on etsy.
decided to just go with etsy AND the donation to the subscription fund - it's easier than trying to make up my libran mind on what the new website should look like - that could take MONTHS! 8^)
so check out EdriesShop on etsy - i've put up over a dozen quick stuff and will do more over the next few days. i'm having fun getting all creativey! thanks for the spirit uplift, too!
CRITICAL UPDATE! eeff and omonastic have pointed out i misread the extension on lifetime drive! i am still searching for the diary where i thought i saw the extension and made this error - but, i will STILL donate 10% to a yearly subscription or to dk or am open to suggestions. i truly apologize for making this mistake - in my panic over losing a place to live, i was trying to find a way to give back to those who are and have helped. now, would that my deadline would go away!.. unfortunately, THAT deadline is real.