Jean Simrose
Jewelry artist, wife, mother, grandmother
Blog: www.jeansimrose.typepad.com
Etsy shop: www.jeansimrose.etsy.com
Bio: I was born and raised in Canada in a very creative family. We were encouraged to work with our hands and pursue creative hobbies. My sisters and I were taught to sew, knit and crochet at a young age. I liked to design clothes and jewelry to go with them.
My careers were varied and diverse. I was a hairdresser. I worked as an administrative assistant for an oil company while my two sons were growing up. After they moved out on their own I went back to university and became a social worker. I worked with people with disabilities and mental illnesses for many years. Art and crafts became therapy and a way to connect with my clients. I facilitated support groups and encouraged my clients’ creativity and skills as well as developing my own.
In 2005 I remarried and moved to the Seattle area. I took a Silversmithing course offered at a local college. I made jewelry as gifts for family and friends and as I learned new techniques my inventory increased. I started my blog and an on-line Etsy shop in 2009. Since then I have enjoyed participating in art and craft fairs in the U.S. and Canada. I love connecting with new people and expanding my knowledge of this very diverse craft.
The hardest part at year 2 of your business is…..
The hardest part in following my dream is not having sufficient funds to carry out all of my business goals. I envisioned taking more classes, learning more techniques and collaborating with more people. I planned on going to art retreats and connecting with like-minded people who inspire me. Instead I found myself working hard just to participate in fairs and keep my Etsy shop stocked so I could sell my jewelry.
The Mind. Body.Soul Art Journaling ecourse has helped me to further define my dreams. I have learned a lot about what I truly want from my creative business and how to get it. The ecourse facilitated this 101010 Project. I hope it will lead to more connections in my creative business world.
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