Tag: life

A post is in order, after months of not blogging.

Summary of what’s happened:

  1. Moved house, now on west side of Melbourne.
  2. Opened supplies store on Etsy.
  3. Took a glass beads class and loved it! Want to make more at home.
  4. Decided to go back into academia.
  5. Closing down ArtFire Pro and only keeping a basic account.
  6. Reducing amount of polymer clay products to the ones that I like making.

I’m no longer terribly excited about pursuing this craft career, because it just isn’t working! I guess I am not dedicated enough, or it’s just meant to be a hobby. I had a few opportunities to sell at craft markets, but with no one to help me with stalls and not having my own trestle, it’s sadly not possible. A lot of markets are overpriced and provide no rental trestles. The worst part is also having to do this all by myself!

I’ll still be making clay jewellery and other odds and ends, but slowing down. I’m only making those I really like and think are worth the effort. ArtFire was not bringing in enough business, so I’ve terminated the Pro status as of March.

Postal services are evil. I am still limited by the 2cm rule, so my lovely white 4cm boxes have to be sent at parcel rates. Thus, low sales. It’s a tough struggle to balance quality and security against postage costs. I’ll be looking into purchasing matchboxes that can be sent as 2cm letters. Not sure if they will withstand the real possibility of being squashed in transport. I will do some testing. What Etsy and other online platforms need is a way to select different kinds of postage. Then, the responsibility lies with the consumer. They can decide if they prefer a secure package that also looks great, or cut costs and run the risk of damage. Ah well, maybe I just like to complain.

I’ve just about packed up half of my belongings in Zürich. I’ve sent out one tiny, but 14.05kg, box with books and clay, and another 14.7kg box is going out the door today. This HUGE box contains clothes, stuffed toys and craft things. We actually got the box from the hardware store, free!


We also bought a scale just to weigh my boxes. Anything from 15-20kg gets charged at CHF185… while just under 15kg is CHF154. This is economy mail, of course… My first box is still hanging around in Switzerland because of it being economy parcel, although I sent it last week.

My solution is simple. I rebuild a collection of polymer clay and equipment from scratch and start making more clay food. My flight has been rescheduled to 2nd May, and that’s at least 1.5 weeks from now, so I have to get claying! I regret not getting liquid clay while I was at the shop, since I need it for making cake icing and other creams. My logic at the time, was to limit myself because liquid clay can be very messy, and I would only need to keep busy for a few days before having to pack up. Of course, this assuming I will be able to fly at all when 2nd May comes along.

Take a look at my mini collection of Japanese branded tools and glue paint I found at Daiso. I wish all this was available in Zurich, or even in Melbourne. I also included my Fimo clay and other findings I got from Multifilla, so not everything is Daiso.
Tools

Besides clay, I’ve been thinking of getting a kiln when I move back to Australia. At first, kilns seem so expensive and unnecessary. Once I researched wattage used on stand-alone convection ovens, I was shocked! I’d rather get a kiln that uses 1000W instead of a convection oven that uses more than 1350W, 1800W or even higher. Kilns also have higher temperatures and bead doors. I can try out other crafts and even glass beadmaking, like I originally wanted. Oh now I’m so excited about moving back to Melbourne and starting a business… but only after my pets depart, as I would hate myself for abandoning them.

I’m suited for a career in organising! How unusual. Second-best career would be designing. I always knew I wasn’t a real hardcore designer. Although, being any of the occupations where I organise for a living sounds a little boring, and I don’t enjoy maths.

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Best Occupational Category
You’re an ORGANIZER
Keywords
Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate
These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.
ORGANIZER CAREERS
Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.
ORGANIZER WORKPLACES
Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you.
Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.

2nd Best Occupational Category
You’re a CREATOR
Keywords:
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or whether they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
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Try it yourself!