An expression of gratitude

Yesterday I launched my Etsy Store, Holly's Hobby. My store features jewelry made by a girl who loves glitter. It's a store dedicated to reminding people to always sparkle. 

Holly's Hobby is a line of jewelry that embraces run-down, broken, and forgotten jewelry and works to incorporate its parts into new, beautiful pieces. The dichotomy of old and new, reclaimed and repurposed, leads to unique works of which I am immeasurably proud. 

So yesterday I launched my store. 
And today I am overrun with gratitude. 

Thin slices of agate,
suspended by thin gold wires

I'm sitting here in my sparkly boots, my sparkly hat, and my sparkly pants (I did say I'm a girl who loves glitter), and I am deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support I've gotten from my friends and family. 

I don't know if you know how scary it is to take something you've made and launch it onto the internet where anyone with wifi can see, review, and comment on it. Doubts and insecurities ran through my mind as I got ready to hit "publish." 

Doubtful thoughts plagued me: 
What happens if no one likes your craft? 
What if your efforts, your time, your passion, are ignored? 
What if no one cares that you have decided to share your craft with them? 


So yesterday I launched my store. 
And today I am wrapping purchases and getting ready to ship them out. 

Purple quartz and slate,
finished with Swarovski crystal clasp

My projects launched on the internet yesterday. And my friends and my family immediately jumped in to support the launch. They liked the Facebook page. They favorited my Etsy store. They pinned my pieces. And they purchased my craft. I was - and still am - so overwhelmed each time a notification came up, telling me someone else had supported my work. 

Am I feeling validated? Sure. 
But, more importantly, I'm feeling loved. 
And I want to return that love. 

So thank you to the greatest friends and family a girl who loves glitter could possibly have. 

And to those of you who have already made a purchase (or are planning to), I want to thank you. Thank you so much for believing in me and my work. I hope you enjoy your gifts as much as I've enjoyed making them. 

Thank you so very much.

Merry Christmas. 
Happy New Years.


And above all else, don't forget to sparkle.