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What’s In A Name?

This post is meant to be an introduction to this blog space.
This blog is also meant to be an extension of GemDesignBoutique.com my handcrafted jewelry website. I’ve been tossing around this idea of a blog for a long time. The decision to move forward came yesterday as I was out running errands. I stopped to check Instagram, and had received a message request via DM. A person with the SAME name (completely different product) was inquiring about purchasing my domain. I immediately typed a reply that I wasn’t interested in selling and that my customer base was 10 years in the making. The inquiring person stated that they “owned” the name on a bunch of apps.

A simple search on this person’s end would have shown that this biz name was already in existence. Ownership of a name on apps, means very little in my eyes. What happens if the app goes away?

*Insert deep sigh*

Why am I sharing this story? Well, because this incident made me think about my process to coming up with GEM DESIGNS BOUTIQUE.

Scene:

It’s 2010, I’m making simple jewelry pieces and giving them to my family. My aunt decided to take some of the jewelry to her job to sell. The little plastic container filled with my basic designs came back empty.
It was at that point, I realized I needed a name.

I’m a Gemini, who designs.
I’m a Gemini who designs with gems.

gemdesignsboutiquegemdesignsboutiquegemdesignsboutique

It rolled off of my tongue, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. There it was and here it is.

Sometimes I need these reminders. GDB is my creative baby, and sure it’s a business and I treat it as such- But I have grown so much as person in this process of building. GDB is nowhere near where I visualize I can take this as a brand. (Visualization may be another blog post)

So here we are, an intro.
Blog started.
1st post created.

Until Next time.

Vee


On Pushing Through…

A 2nd post?

Sure.

What do I write about?

Am I required to keep it all business?

As I sat pondering this question, I received a text message from someone who had recently had a trying time at work. It was about a win that had occurred in the midst of that trying time.

Today’s post is about pushing through.

We are in the middle of a pandemic. I have been working from home since March 16. The plans I had for Gem Designs Boutique were put on hold. I’ve had to pivot and begin pushing online sales in a different way. The craft shows and art markets I was scheduled for and had applied to all cancelled, one by one. I put everything on hold because it felt strange to push jewelry sales while people were in a state of panic. Hell, I was in a state of panic.

Then I remembered that EVERYtime I sit down to create, even if it’s just one piece, I feel amazing. While I’m working on an idea, pulling beads and thinking about the colors, I am in my most relaxed state. Being relaxed allows me the mental space to think and just exist.

Anyway…pushing through. Resiliency. Mental fortitude. It’s a buzz topic as of late. Lots of us are in a state of being that is completely different from our “norm”. (Some of us are carrying on like things are fine. *insert side eye*) Our usual coping methods have had to change. Going out to eat, spending time with family/ friends in large groups, shopping at the mall… all of it has changed. I’ve seen articles and courses with topics like : “How to Handle Stress”, which you have to schedule for a month away. I always have the fleeting thought: What if people needed it in that moment?

You are probably reading and wondering what all these words have to do with PUSHING THROUGH. Well, there is no clean fix or course that can answer that in a straight forward way. While we are going through our own personal issues, it can feel as if that time will never end. Like it will always exist in that manner.

That is a lie.

Tough times will pass, but it is also important to not check out during these tough periods and to look within. It is important to not allow the problem of the moment to become the problem of a lifetime. Being present. Feeling and acknowledging whatever comes up. Connecting with the things that make us feel alive and human. In doing that we are pushing through.

I’m not a mental health expert, but I am an advocate for therapy and doing self-work. Especially now. If you feel like talking to a professional would help- do it.

So that’s it for the 2nd post. I promise not to end all of these in this way lol.

Until next time.

Vee