Unless my Kindle dies for the third time while writing this that is!

I've been lurking for a few weeks before posting so kinda already know a few names and have seen some great work.

Now where do I start on the intro?

I'm Michelle, business name Spectra. I first started making jewellery with pearls, semi-precious beads, a few bicones,mass produced charms and a shed load of tiger tail.That was 8 years ago. I sold a bit through ebay and a dreadful free website with marketing and effort that wasn't even half hearted.Beads aren't really me, although will occasionally use them, and my designs started to cost me £25 upwards in materials per necklace because I couldn't stand the whole samey samey 'it's just someone stringing beads' thing.Naturally, without the right market and advertising it was a rather pointless endeavour in the end and who wants to pay so much for beads?

So, fast forward and I now work with silver and the odd bit of gold ( well actually the gold only accidentally slipped into my basket 2 days ago but still.,) and there is rarely a bead in sight!

I had to give up work a while ago due to my disabled sons needs, no suitable childcare left and different school hours.I'm also a single mum so no help there either.It makes me feel a bit useless to not be directly bringing money in anymore and I hate it.So, as I can currently do nothing else at present due to circumstances I have decided to give this a proper bash this time, with my silver not beads (!) and give it my all -well, what I can of it.This is to be my official job!Eek, you say?Yep,, me too!

Fortunately, I am set to receive inheritance in the near future once properties are sold, which will mean I don't really have anything to lose now.Whatever I put in I will get back through that and, although being splits many ways, it will be enough to cover anything I would otherwise miss and my lifestyle will be sustainable.So why not, eh?

Thanks to Cooksons and my poor weeping bank account I've started building up my tools.I've spent time designing, planning, considering marketing and making an incredibly confusing mind map!I shall do it properly this time..

The only current downside is the initial outlay, but I'll get that back one way or another, just want to make sure I don't go too crazy to start with.Easier said than done as I keep wanting and having 'brilliant ideas' that would cost the earth.On the plus side I have really thought about marketing this time including a charity fundraising piece/range that I can easily market,fundraising for a charity close to home at the same time as getting myself out there-double bonus!

Now watch me royally screw it up



ps sorry for the long post!Hope I didn't waffle too much




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