One Mans Trash

About a week ago I was taking out my trash and you won't believe what I found! I found a limited addition Project Runway Brother SEWING MACHINE!!! I feel like Peg from PEG + CAT because I'm TOTALLY FREAKING OOOUUUTTT!!!! All jokes aside-my mind is blown-first of all because what nut would throw away a sewing machine? You know I picked it up right? Thank God it wasn't in the incinerator but on the side of the trash. I can't even imagine someone being that cruel and putting it in. Thankfully it was just on the side of the contraption! So I picked it up and put it in my linen closet.

The only reason I haven't used the machine is because it's missing parts. So, after a week of mulling it over I finally called the Brother company and looked up the model I found on their website as well. I found out that it was made in 2007-yeah I had no idea Project Runway has been around that long. Then when I looked it up on the site I realized that it was actually a discontinued model. The sales associate ran an estimate based on what parts I said were missing and she said it would run me about $125. Then before I got off the phone she also let me know that there is a sewing machine repair shop I could take it to in Atlanta called SewingMachine.com.

When I called there I let her know what the associate said over the phone. When I asked her whether it would be worth it to fix it or replace it, she let me know $125 was a really great deal. Especially for a sewing machine like this with so many different embroidery stitches. So I've decided to get this sewing machine fixed and later see if I can get a sewing serger. 

So here's the plan-yes I actually have a plan. I've been making tons of jewelry and products to sell anyway, and so I've actively been looking into Flea Markets where I can sell in my area and pass out a few of my business cards or text them (because I have digital ones). The Decatur area where I live is very artsy and all I need to do is find "the spot" where I can get a little exposure, and as an entrepreneur I value a tangible experience over an online one any day. I would love to connect with my customer on a more consistent basis and study my target market as well as understand each individuals needs. I love making custom designs for my clients so piecing something together that they can only dream up in their heads is something I'm especially good at. I don't design ball gowns or anything, but when it comes to beaded jewelry, I'm the one. 

I will be giving lessons both in person and online. In my post about How to Draw a Croqui I show you a basic pose, but I'm dreaming up a class that's a lot more detailed where I'll go deeper and deeper into subject. I would prefer doing it in person but I'll see what I can do about starting an online course. I've had my share of hardships in Fashion Illustration Classes in college. I just lucked out when I had the privilege of being taught 1-on-1 because my Fashion Illustration 3 class only had 2 students and the other bailed. My professor taught me everything and she allowed me to pull up a chair right beside her for a more personal experience in learning to draw. I no longer felt like I was alone trying to figure this thing out, and because of that I want to give you the same thing. As I said before I'd prefer a tangible experience, and to be at the side of the student to oversee their progress, but I'm willing to compromise with online courses. All I expect is for my students to apply themselves, because learning and gaining knowledge is one thing, but applying it is when it becomes wisdom and power. It says I'm educated ant experienced at the same freaking time!

"Knowledge isn't power, applied Knowledge is Power"- Eric Thomas

Applying yourself isn't easy. Most people think that just practice makes it perfect, but in this course I want to show you how to truly apply yourself by finding yourself in your own art. Every illustrator has a voice, and it comes out in their art style. So to me a student who is applying themselves well might do some unorthodox things to grasp it like draw their croqui's as anime characters or something. Whatever it is that's what you need to discover during these courses. I don't want my students to be hung up over trying to do it exactly like me. I want them to have their own signature looks and designs. 

Of course there is always relying on donations, self funding by trying AGAIN to look for a job (even though some obstacle always comes up), looking up grants, programs that teach entrepreneurship for free...etc. Look, I've done enough of that, so my first two options is what I'm banking on here. I'm into applying myself and creating my own path. I've had enough of begging for jobs, because most employers don't care that I have a family to take care of anyway, and I can tell because when I say that I have 3 kids they consider them "prior commitments" that might get in the way of me working. You better believe that when I get this sewing machine fixed-it is on like Donkey Kong! I already have my business plan written that will span over the next 5 years and I've already accomplished hitting certain milestones that I had plotted for the longest time. I know that having this sewing machine fixed would be a stepping stone in my plan, and getting the one I already have in storage would be a start as well. I've been plotting out exactly what patterns I want to create, sell, and design from. Finding creative ways to make money isn't hard for me, applying myself in the midst of hardship is, and I'm sure that EVERYONE can understand that. 

There's a New Designer In Town!

Today was the BIG DAY of the Jewelry Party and it turned out wonderful. Initially I was nervous because I had 3 kids instead of 2 this time. Anyway, I sent a text to Mrs. Renee Crawford who was the coordinator of the entire thing and she was so relaxed about the matter. She told me that my kids can come as well as my God daughter and we stepped out of the house together at about 2:45pm.

All week I've dedicated time to my skirt and hat. I had been slaving away at that pattern for days trying to figure out this and that, and I had finally gotten it on Wednesday last week. Thursday I had to "take off" because my daughter had a doctors appointment. I thought that I would have the time to dedicate to just sewing on Friday however my husband had come home early with the girls from school because he had been up there all morning and afternoon for Daddy Daycare. Although this happened I was persistent, I still cut out my patterns I still did all of my work, and I still at least got the skirt sewn. I made a few mistakes but overall it looked beautiful and that was sort of my point, since it was my Launch Party.

So Today was very important. I not only sold my jewelry but I presented myself as a designer, because that's who I am. Although my design was rather simple it was mine, and came from me. I didn't buy a Butterick, I actually drafted my own pattern based on my own personal measurements and I came out with a skirt for myself.

Mrs. Renee was very sweet, not only making sure everything was taken care of concerning the food, invites, location, and getting us there but also interceding on my behalf as well. She not only bought some of my earrings 4 for $20, she told everyone on the intercessory team at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church about my Jewelry Party and they sowed into my endeavors. So I made 2 sales and  received donations as well for my business.

The purpose of this Jewelry Party was to encourage me to continue on my entrepreneurship journey, and to expose me as the designer that I am. The skirt and the matching hat were additions that I made to this debut only because that was the sort of thing I was going for. We went live for a split second on YouTube to sort of show the world the supporters, and the jewelry party but it wasn't long.

It was a blessing to see the support that I did see. Some knew I was a designer and had been very supportive for some years now, however I wasn't so much caught up on numbers as I was on my own personal goals concerning this party. The dress and the hat were must haves for me, the jewelry was already there, and since it was only my first one I didn't know if anyone would even show up. They did but it wasn't many, and it was still okay because I was more focused on simpler things like my look, and my jewelry, and how I was going to get there with 3 kids, and more important than any of that was showing gratitude. I was very grateful for who came more than how much money was raised, the encouragement I received was important because it feels good to know that someone has your back when you are trying to make it out there as you make your dreams a reality. The seed towards a brighter future was greatly appreciated.

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I really enjoyed myself, and I realized that what my husband told me the night before was for me. He told me that Success is not measured in fame and fortune but in how much you prosper. Today I feel as though I succeeded. I've come a long way, and even though I was not always the best I know that this is what I'm called to do. I did succeed because I accomplished my goals. I designed my pencil skirt, I sold jewelry and I had a great Jewelry Party with the help of church family and some friends. It wasn't about the figures for me today, so I was greatly humbled by this experience and I'm looking forward to having many more events.