I don’t want to wake up from my dreams.

That’s right these last twelve weeks have been some of the most rewarding weeks in recent memory. Every day I get to choose what I do, and how I do it. I am still putting systems into place for efficiency and balance to my work day. I work in my studio in the morning until lunch time. Hunter and I have lunch together. Something I didn’t realize I would look forward to every day. Then in the afternoon, I work on some of my back-end business needs, whether it’s emailing clients or my wholesalers, ordering materials, online marketing or updating my website. If needed, which normally is needed right now, I return to my studio for the last few hours of my work day. I have established a shutdown routine at the end of my work day. It is so hard to turn off and relax when I am working from home. My shutdown routine is such: put away my tools and materials, turn off all my studio machines and sweep my floor. It is a relief knowing if I had to, I could go into my studio in the evening with just my socks on to grab a tool or piece of jewelry.

In the last few weeks, I have been in the studio focused on making a new mini collection of jewelry to send to Contemporary Craft for their holiday season. I am also happy to announce that I will be teaching one day classes on Saturdays at Contemporary Craft starting in the new year! I am in the middle of brainstorming some ideas for some fun classes to teach. Fun stuff is coming!

If you follow me on social media, either Instagram or Facebook, you would have seen that I have been volunteering more with the Allegheny Metals Collective. I have been involved with this group since moving to Pittsburgh seven years ago. I am so happy I now have the time to attend more meetings, help prep and set up gallery shows and join more outside events (Such as, New York City Jewelry Week). This year at NYCJW, I am not just sending my jewelry; I am sending myself! One whole week in NYC attending artist’s talks, gallery openings and jewelry workshops are in store for me in a few short weeks. Follow me @rachaelmorganjewelry on Instagram for my perspective of my first NYC jewelry week!

Here is me and Stacy Rodgers setting up a display at Seton Hill University for the gallery show entitled Archive of the Allegheny Metals Collective. 

Progress over perfection

My new motto is progress over perfection. It’s a hard lesson that I am still learning every day. For instance, my new website. You might have noticed while reading this blog that the website looks a little different. That is because today, November 1^st, is the “soft opening” of my new website. I will be slowly adding new features and products to this site over the next few weeks.

With the help of Hunter, we have developed our photography skills over the last two months. We, mostly Hunter, have been watching product/jewelry photography tutorials and have subscribed to an online course for product photography. The pictures are far superior than anything I was doing solo these last three years. I will slowly be updating all the photos on my website in the coming weeks. I wish new skills could be instantaneous, but that’s no fun, right? Right?  

Hunter taking photos a few weeks ago in our basement in Pittsburgh.

A day of celebration

Today, November 1^st, is my 30^th birthday, but also the third anniversary of Rachael Morgan Jewelry. And while I will celebrate today and this upcoming weekend, this time is also about reflection. I am not where I am today with my vast support system of friends and family. The encouragement I received when I became a full-time business owner was all consuming (in a good way). The flowers, cards and kind words were all amazing. To my friends and family, your words have been my guiding light to push through my imposter syndrome and create the life I want to live. Words and actions cannot thank you all enough.

The Future

I’m not sure if it’s me getting older, but I am no longer holding on to things that do not serve me anymore. I have no more time to ruminate on stress and worry. With a more positive outlook, I feel my creativity growing. The projects I want to do are increasing; I am so looking forward to next year and all the things in store for my thirties and for Rachael Morgan Jewelry.