It's Just Me: When Creativity Comes Knocking and a Love Letter to My Customers

There is something rather magical about being an “artist," a person skilled in creative activity as one dictionary puts it. It is heartening to know I am a part of a special club who create art out of necessity, because it is innately in me and demands to come out in whatever form my art takes. 
​It is not uncommon for me to dream jewelry designs. I have no shortage of ideas. I can walk by a blowing tree or blooming flower or gorgeous sunset and suddenly find myself choreographing bead colors and styles in my head. It is a part of me that has taken up residence in my head and I welcome it like you would an old friend who moves in or that one old cozy sweater you can’t get rid of.
I consider myself lucky to have a passion that I love, the opportunity to actually have time and desire to make it, and to make a living at it. How many of us walking around can say that?
This brings me to where I am currently sitting, in a rented, pale blue art shanty, in front of the Hyannis Harbor. I have set up a small shop for a week and am part of the few who were assigned this week slot to sell our wares. I have carefully decorated my space to look like a small boutique, full of my jewelry lovingly placed and labeled. Outside I am surrounded by buzz: the boats coming in and out of harbor, the seagulls’ cry, the rumbling of trucks carrying fresh fish to the local restaurants, and the constant stream of chatter from vacationers from all over the world who have come to this one location.
One of the best parts? Out of the seven lined up shanties, I am the only jeweler! Wow what a treat to stand out in a crowd of thousands of jewelry designers, locally and beyond. I am on my fifth day of seven, where I sit and greet those who stroll past my shanty and peek in. Some are just looking, some try on much and leave with nothing, and some take a quick glance and rush out in hopes of not being noticed.  Occasionally I will get a woman apologizing for not staying longer, her husband grimacing impatiently outside. I often wonder where some of them go? There is the woman who tries on, lovingly cradles a piece in her hand for minutes, and right when I am sure she will buy, she reluctantly drops it back in its place and darts out, calling that she will return but never does. And the woman who wants to know everything about everything in my shop and we get along like fast best friends. When she leaves with a purchase I feel slightly melancholy like I am missing out on something, knowing I won’t see her again.
Or that one friendly Irish lady who loved my style and purchased multiple pieces, and still continues to order every few months online. I would call this one an “ambassador” of my jewelry, a fan, a lifer.
Anyway, I guess I just want to acknowledge openly what a joy it is to spread my creativity around, even if it is in the shape of some earrings or a necklace.  I truly appreciate my customers, those known and those still who haven’t found out about me.  On these tables sit a little of my heart in the form of jewelry. They are little bits of heArt, for those who will judge and consider, to pick up and try on, and often to put back. But even better is when someone cries out at finding her treasure, and assuredly hands it over for purchase. This is when I  know; she gets me and I, her.

​~Gillian

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