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My big news... I think????

My big news... I think????

@Maggie @SJT63 @Anastasia

I really cannot remember what made me think of this idea. I am sure I will remember at some stage. It was simply just some thoughts I was having. For many years, I have fixed broken things. China and ceramics mainly. It was on the odd occassion, and not really looking for something to fix, it just came along, it was broken and I really wanted to fix it. I have fixed some electricals too, nothing that needs rewiring at all. I never asked any money for it, I just did it.

I am very patient, I like to stick with something and find a solution to the problem/s, I do not give up too easily and I actually enjoy it alot. This is in regards to mending broken items/ electricals I am talking about.

I (think) I was just sitting having some time out and thinking about things. It was quite sudden that this idea started forming in my head. It was a strange experience, it was just kind of flowing, so I went with it.

I decided to put a note up in a local group I am on. I put my idea out there to see if there would be any interest in it?

I certainly was not ready for what came back! I had 39 people comment! It was insane. I had never had that before. I was quite overwhelmed with the response. I was thinking maybe one or two comments perhaps, but I got 39! I was so very much supported with the idea from everyone and everyone was so positive about it. I live in a small regional town and it certainly means a lot when you have the locals support you in a venture.

Anyway, moving along, it happened all so fast. Next thing I know, that night I am creating a place for the locals to go to, to come and see me regarding my idea.

I think right about now is the time I should tell you about my idea. I had the idea that I was going to start mending things. Broken items, small electricals and so on. This is the idea I put out in the group I am in. I do mainly focus on materials though, such as china and ceramics. I will do glass as well. It is my main focus I should say. A couple of months ago, I came across a book called Kintsugi. I actually want to buy it because I was enjoying reading it.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art that teaches that broken objects are not something to hide, but to display with pride.

It is an actualy art form that repairs broken objects, and then infuses the broken reapired parts with gold. (Not real gold)

Items that have been broken and are sentimental do not have to be thrown out and are most of time able to be mended.

By mending broken items, it gives me the chance to use art as therapy and is part of what helps my healing process through difficult and painful times.
I call it art, because it is art to me.
So the following day after this has happened, I am up and ready to go, just like that. People had a place to go, I had started a mini side business and I was off and racing. This all happened in less than 24 hours! That was the 17th November.

It is still the 26th for me, the 27th for most of you at this time. In the last ten days I have had my first two customers.
Customer 1 is coming to pick her item up tomorrow and customer 2, I went and picked up her items yesterday. I have had to stem the flow sadly but I am offering to put people on the waiting list for when jobs are coming to a close and I can take more on.
If that is not enough, I have also been asked if I do workshops. I have responded that it will be something I look into later next year, so some are asking to be put on the email list I have offered, so when I am ready I cant put out some emails to gauge what interest there is.
I really have had no time to connect with myself about all of this happening. It was so quick and all systems go when it happened. This last week has been immensely challenging and the work itself is very time consuming and you do have to problem solve. One of the great things about this though is people are not in any great hurry.
What I have started is really changing people's lives and my own. I actually still cannot believe it is real. To abide by Sanes rules, I cannot post the name of my business. It does have great meaning, but I cannot share it sadly! I need to slow down so that I can figure out what I am doing and to catch up with how I am feeling.
I am attaching some photos of what I am currently foxing and my next job! The Stein is what is being picked up tomorrow. The vintage oak chairs are my next job. There are three. The one chair that is still intact is going to be used to restore the two other chairs. I am also working on another ceramic job too, but that is a freebie, and for a friend. Other than that I have put all jobs on hold, until I cant catch up with things, as there is so much else to do other than this. I am trying to balance things more. Vintage oak chairsI will send a photo of the stein tomorrow when it is complete.
So, that is my big news. I probably have not written this how I would have wanted to. I am just truly tired.
I havn't really had anyone to share this with. Of course, I have told a few people. It has been in passing though, so no real long conversations have been able to happen. It's all good though. I still think my story is somehow a bit magical, so I am really just sharing the magic. Ramble. xx

107 replies

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In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger The chairs are looking incredible. 👍👍👍👍

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Maggie thank you so much. Wait till you see them finished. I'm so proud of myself. I've never done this before. Promise.

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

You should be very proud of yourself @Powderfinger. Looking forward to seeing the end product. 👍👍👍

In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger

chairs a looking great, and I love the workbench!

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@SJT63 thank you so much. That will be my next project after these chairs are done. X ♥️

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Anastasia

Haven't seen you around for a bit. Just popped in to say hi and is all OK?

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Maggie @Anastasia @SJT63 @Gwynn

The BIGGEST update so far.

I decided that I was going to do a huge update on the chairs because it is nearing completion.

This has been a massive journey for me. I have learnt so much that will stay with me forever. By seeing the responses with the very few people around me physically, I really am the most excited and happiest about these chairs. I have been so engrossed in the project, working every single day and working hard to bring these chairs back to life and really being very much in my element. I realised no one could feel what I feel because it is one of my interests and passions, it is work I did alone every day, it really was my journey.

It was a deep realisation I came to. So, I have stopped really expecting anything from the very few people around me physically. I thought to myself, well hey if they are very interested in what I have done and am doing, they will ask me. Then I can talk about it. This has/had so much great meaning to me and was special to me. I also realise that at times, I am going to want to be left by myself to think about my journey, if there isn't anyone who want to hear about it in my process. So, That is what I will do.

I have spoken with my client to organise pick up/invoice/payment. She is picking up the chairs on Saturday morning as that is when I said they will be ready. I have three more night with the chairs, so I am going to work on separating myself from them. You do form some kind of attachment with them and have to let them go back to where they came from. I am left with wonderful memories. I am also thankful that this project was there for me during my extremely dark days. Although, I was still in a very dark place while working on them, they saved me, these chairs. They saved me in so many ways.

I want to add that even though it may or may not look like to some or all people, I assure you I have NEVER in my life done this work before. I have never restored and reupholstered a piece of furniture ever. It was in my dreams for more than twenty years to do it one day, but that was more on a retirement basis. Looks like I was meant to do it sooner! I have never had any training or studies and so on. It has been in my thoughts recently that I am going to look at perhaps doing a furniture upholstery course later next year but I am unsure yet. I still havn’t finished my current studies, so I will need to do that first.

I have worked with my hands in jobs over the years with machinery/tools and technical aspects, but never restored and reupholstered furniture. I am just sharing that more so because I think I am amazing to do what I have done here, even though I have had no experience in this. Very proud of myself indeed. I can also see though that I need training lol.

I also liked that I had this thread to come to. THANK YOU for engaging with me, for your support, for your encouragement and being with me online through this journey. @Maggie @Anastasia @SJT63 @Gwynn

It has been so great for me to have somewhere to go when I felt very alone on my journey, and has also helped.

Today marked the day of having picked up the chairs and having them for exactly one month. I was thinking yesterday, it does not feel like this has been 1 months work. So, I looked back on the dates of all my photos and messages. I worked out, I have only been working on them solidly since the 9/12. I had a lot of stuff going on when I picked up the chairs and I wasn't prepared to be doing the job itself. So, I had a few setbacks time wise. Before the 9th it was just when I could get to them. I also had an agreement with a sidekick for the entire project and to split the earnings 50/50, but they bailed after day 1. I was a bit disappointed, but the show must go on. I was left with it being just me. They would have been done by now if there were two.

Tomorrow I am going to be fairly busy with the chairs and on Thursday as well. Christmas eve day and night and Christmas day and night are going to be really hard for me to get through. I do not know what to expect really, but I know that being busy with the chairs and having those two days which I am particularly really affected by will drain me tremendously and I will probably need quite a few days to recover.

Aside from that, my little business shuts down today for two weeks.I will not be taking ANY jobs on at all. I need time off and time to rest. I need time to myself and to reflect and make some decisions. I am very tired.

Either tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday, I will be doing another update.

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger That sounds like quite a journey of success. You are a natural. I hope the lady who owns them, will love what you have done. It’s always good to have such hard work appreciated.

A few hard days left for you. Good luck.

I hope you do take time out to relax, time to see and smell the roses. 🌹🌹

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

Wow @Powderfinger

So proud of you. You can't see this yourself (but you should) or know this but I tell you this from the bottom of my heart...you are an inspiration!!!

Not only have you transformed someone's treasures you have also transformed with them. You may not be where you want to in your journey of life but I can tell these chairs have assisted you to move forward in many ways. You really are a very insightful soul. You think deeply and I think this is why you get hurt and let down because you have such a big heart and I feel that you are such a giver. I am excited to see them if you want to share.

Rest easy my friend and love to you always x 🌹🌟🤗❣️

@Maggie 👋💐🎁❣️

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

Wow, @Powderfinger , you've done an amazing job. I hope you can enjoy a restful holiday.
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