The Excitement of Going With The Flow!

Are you like I used to be? You have a thought about doing something and, oh so quickly, convince yourself why you should not do it? It was so easy to convince myself why something would not work, was a bad idea or worse still, the person I was thinking of contacting would be too busy.

No wonder life was a struggle trying to make everything work, even though I was successful at it. I was going against the flow instead of with it! So, nearly eighteen months ago I decided to totally ignore my negative natterer! Having created my first collection of jewellery designs, in silver wire work and semi-precious stones, I saw an article in a local ladies magazine about a new jewellery shop opening in Llandeilo - Bentley &  Co.  

www.bentleyjewellery.com/

Without allowing myself to think about it I picked up the phone and spoke to the owner, Claire Bentley. She was so lovely and invited me to her shop, where she sells her own wonderful contemporary jewellery designs, along with other specialist suppliers. My first contact with another jewellery designer proved most fruitful as Claire invited me to the launch of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ) in Wales.

This is where I had to work really hard at keeping my negative natterer at bay. It kicked in 'big time'.  Apart from a one day course in basic jewellery making I had no training in jewellery design or development. I was self-taught and had only started making wire work jewellery 4 months previously. However, she liked my work and suggested I join the ACJ. 

Become a member of the ACJ Wales who was I kidding! Well that's what I initially thought but I was beginning to learn that when you let go of your fears and go with your instinct, remarkable and exciting things begin to happen.

For me it opened up a world of new and exciting opportunities. In September 2011 my work was exhibited in the Riverside Theatre, Newport. Then it was accepted, through the ACJ, for the Cardiff Design Festival.

My red crystal and quartz, wire work bracelet was used in the ACJ promotional literature for the exhibition (picture above top row). My work was exhibited in Cardiff Library and the Wales Millennium Centre. I could hardly believe it, especially when I was one of only six to sell  a piece of jewellery during the exhibition!

And the excitement of remarkable things happening did not stop there. Earlier this year I was invited, by the ACJ, to put my work forward for the prestigious Winter Exhibition in Oriel Ynys Mon on Anglesey, North Wales. It was accepted and will be on show and sale there from 10th November 2012 to 24th December 2012.  

So what exciting things have you experienced when you let go and go with the flow? I would love to hear about them.  Mine are still continuing every week to amaze and excite me.  So in my next Bog I will tell you about a chance meeting that lead to me designing and making a range of wedding jewellery!

Following a Path of Breadcrumbs

Peppermint Bay, Tasmania

Have you ever had events, opportunities or experiences opening up in front of you, that lead you in a direction you had no thought of going? Without you planning or contriving them the situations just happened one after another, like breadcrumbs on a path, leading you to some unknown destination.

It is such a path that I have been on ever since my dear friend Jennie took me on a surprise day out. For a number of years we have been giving each other experiences for Christmas and birthdays, instead of presents. It all began when we decided to write and share our "Bucket Lists" (those things we wanted to do before we kick the bucket).  We have had such joy and fun experiencing water colour painting, perfume making, make-overs both facial and fashion, Ikibana (Japanese flower arranging) and best of all chocolate making!

Jennie & I on the Jewellery Making Course

Then Jennie took me on a day's jewellery making course. The tutor Emma Hall of Emma Hall Designs www.emmahalldesigns.co.uk proved to be a great teacher, allowing our creativity to flow from our pure enjoyment.

I was hooked! My new found interest knew no bounds. Everyone got hand made jewellery for Christmas that year as I practised with different styles and mediums! All the time there was this quiet inner voice telling me to be more adventurous; to use silver wire and semi-precious stones.



Chrissie Designs Rose Quartz Pendant

After ignoring the voice for some time I realised it was fear holding me back. Fear of what I asked myself? "Letting go and being successful" came back the answer! So, as they say, feel the fear and do it anyway. I took the leap into the unknown and began to play. 

That was just the beginning of a series of events that have lead me to where I am today, and continue to lead me. Some are most bizarre and unexpected. The people I have met along this journey have been interesting, inspiring, supportive and encouraging. 

The weird thing is that each unusual 'happening' or meeting has lead to another and then another, each more exciting than the next. So I will tell you about another  of these 'happenings' in my next blog.

The Journey Begins...........

Someone once said that I had reinvented myself more times than Madonna and I suppose that's true. I was born an identical  twin. That in itself creates a somewhat different perspective on life, especially because I shared an identity with another person for a great part of it. In fact I did not discover who I really was (alone) until I was in my 50's, and to a greater extent I am still on this exploration of discovery.

Career wise I have been a nurse, midwife, knitwear designer, management trainer & executive coach (for over 23 years), published author and now a jewellery designer. This blog is a record of the development of Chrissie Designs Jewellery, my new business that is bringing me remarkable experiences, successes and insights every day. It is so remarkable that I want to share the story with you.

Life is a journey and on mine I have had many different experiences. I travelled the world on a merchant ship for the first 3 years of my marriage, seeing places and natural wonders that most people only experience through their TV. I have been lucky enough set my feet on almost every continent in the world and most of the UK. 

Travelled the World on a Ship Like This

I am blessed with two beautiful and loving daughters who are both married to wonderful men. They each have a daughter and so now I am a Nannie to Megan who is 3 years old and Evelyn who is 8 months. I can't even start to explain the difference they have made to my life. All I can say is that they are the icing and cherry on top of a very wonderful cake!

Family and friends form one of the most important parts of my life. As a recovering workaholic, this was not always the case. I truly believed that I had to work every hour God sent to make my business work. OK, so I was a very controlling person who needed to fill an emotional void with work! There, I have admitted it. "If you hold onto the handle, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it's more fun if you just let the wind carry you." - Brian Andreas. This quote really sums up what I now believe and am experiencing.

Now in my autumn years I find myself on a journey that is no longer controlled by me. For the first time I am "letting go and letting God." This blog is a record of my new and exciting journey. It is inspiring me every day and I hope it inspires those who read it.