A year ago my family made a very big decision. We decided
that I would leave my office job and pursue my career choice to be a
professional artist full time. Prunella’s Workshop existed prior, but between
full time jobs and family obligations, it was admittedly an after thought going
nowhere big. I cannot tell you the date when Prunella’s Workshop went from
non-existence to reality. I can tell you on August 3, 2013, I said goodbye to a
world of shuffling paper in an office cubicle and moved into the world of
handmade.
Therefore, it is our anniversary.
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| Princess - Sterling silver necklace with rhodochrosite quartz by Prunella's Workshop |
It is not an easy world. Self-employment requires a lot of
self-discipline. It can be easier to allow one’s self to be distracted by
social media games. Working from home means you have to structure your time and
make it clear to family members that you are at work right now, and cannot do
the laundry any more than you could have when you drove into the office. The
only difference is, the washing machine is right next to my jeweler’s bench
taunting me. I never leave work, which means if I do allow myself a few minutes
to be unproductive I may feel guilty later.
Being self-employed is also very rewarding. I set my own
hours, and my schedule is flexible around family needs. (I can stop and do the
laundry!) There is autonomy and choice regarding product that you do not have
when you work for someone else. I set my goals. I determine my dreams. Every
bit of work I do pushes me closer to making those goals and dreams a reality.
It is not a 40-hour a week drain of my life-it
is my life.
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| Prunella's Workshop; Photo by Lynn Mohney |
I did not only leave the corporate world to be my own boss,
however. I left to pursue my art. I wanted to create things with my very own
hands. I delight in seeing my hard work being worn by a customer. Several years
ago I made a special piece for a customer I met at an event. Every year I
return to the event I see my customer wearing his pendant, and he shows it to
me with pride. I look forward to this brief moment. It completes my purpose in
creating my work. I create because I am programmed to create – When I am not making
the ideas in my head I am miserable. That alone can be reason enough to
approach the workspace and make new product. However, when I see my work being
enjoyed by others, I know the piece has transcended into something special, making
the world around me just that much better than it had been before. I have
shared a part of myself with strangers and made them happier.
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| Her Lips were as Red as Blood- sterling silver with glass cabochon; by Prunella's Workshop |
I am proud to be part of the movement away from mass
produced items to a simpler way of life. I think we lost something when we
moved towards big corporations and away from the small businesses. There is so
much more fulfillment in my life now as a professional artist. I will not lie
and say there have been no bumps in the road. It has been a very thrilling
ride, though, and I’m not ready to get out of the car yet!
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| Mad as a Hatter - Copper ring with jasper cabochon; by Prunella's Workshop |
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