I need a serious pep talk!

[daydream]

Okay, so a week ago I decided to start making jewelry to make some extra money. Someone showed me the basics of how to design things and how to put them together. So for the past week I've been trying to make up stuff as fast as I can to put it in someone's consignment shop next weekend. Then a few days ago I was told about a day in the park where people will be setting up booths. I'm planning to do that too 3 weeks from now. But all this anxiety is setting in! I've spent a lot of money on supplies, even borrowed from family. I've been working really hard and have turned out some very nice merchandise. But my fear is screaming "what if it doesn't sell, what if people don't like it, what if I can't pay my family member back or pay my bills?" And I'm a little burned out from working at it soooooo hard this past week (beading can be tedious work and it strains my eyes). I've never tried to do anything like this before and I'm already worrying that people will bring jewelry back and say it broke or something (even though the clasps are very secure). I'm so afraid I'll fail! HELP!!!

[splendra]

It sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Keep it simple. I am sure people will like your product. Some times we have to fake until we make it ya know. When you go to the park to sale your wares smile when you talk to people and let the product sell itself. Have fun!

[bostonluv]

Love your Pugs Daydream. Don't be afraid to fail it sounds like a wonderful adventure!! Trying something new is always scary. Instead of thinking of the worst case scenerio - think of the best. Daydream about those things. They are a lot more fun and you can't change the future anyway. Tell us how it goes and think positive!!!

[Paulie]

FEAR -
False evidence appearing real.

The 'what if's' will drive us nuts. Stay in today and focus on today, dont trip on tomorrow.

[dancinggirl]

daydream: my store is a jewellery store (I don't make the stuff, though...no talent lol) and I can tell you that some people WILL be rude about whatever you have there. But there will be other people who will LOVE what you're selling! You just have to realize that different people will like different things. Also, sometimes it's the packaging of the item that makes people see it as a high-quality item. Could you maybe have some kind of signature "thing" that makes your packaging different than other peoples? Maybe, add a ribbon of a specific colour to tie the bag closed? Something that shows that your stuff is art, whereas other people's jewellery might just be "hobby".
Good luck to you! Enjoy it no matter what happens at that fair! Sometimes you need to find the right venue for your product and it takes a few tries...but it will succeed!

[51anna]

It sounds like you have a good plan. It's great that you are finding a creative way to make money and move forward with your life.

Stay positive and put your work out there and I'm sure it will sell well.

I think you need to be very brave to create something and then sell it, because you put a part of yourself into the product. Remember that some people might not find it to their taste, but you can handle that. As long as plenty of people buy your jewelery, you'll be fine. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[lizw]

Even if everything you are worried about did happen and it didn't work out the way you planned, doesn't mean it won't happen in away you don't have it planned....

Don't that say that faith is fear that's said its prayers?

[vegibean]

When I start to get like that I do the "what if" game with myself.......because "what if I don't get a raise?" Well, I can still pay my bills and in the mean time I can try to find a better paying job.

"What if people don't like what I have to sell?" Then I guess I can try again some other time or maybe I should rethink it......

You have to give yourself a break and try not to be your worse critic. I know, easier said than done but if you "what if" yourself to death you'll make yourself crazy.

[chiynita]

Well..I think you should enjoy doing it as well as make a payoff.
Without the enjoyment..Whats the point?

[nandm]

Some thoughts on worry and fear. I find it useful to read things like this when I am struggling with a problem while all the time knowing I am worrying over something that I can not change.

Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.
Dr. David M. Burns

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?"
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "Back to Methuselah" (1921), part 1, act 1

When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), The World as I See It.

Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.
Mary Hemingway

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?
Shantideva

Worry is a misuse of imagination.
Dan Zadra

What's the use of worrying? It never was worthwhile.
George Asaf

That's the secret to life... replace one worry with another....
Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000), Charlie Brown

If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.
Rotarian

Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow - it empties today of strength.
Corrie ten Boom

Perpetual worry will get you to one place ahead of time - the cemetery.
Author Unknown

People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are catching cold.
John Jay Chapman

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.
Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

[daydream]

dancinggirl thank you for the suggestion. I think I'll try the ribbon idea!

nandm, thanks for the quotes, especially this one, it's a hoot!: "People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are catching cold." -John Jay Chapman

lizw, I tried to add "thanks" beneath your post, but for some reason the "add thanks" button is missing on my screen, although Paulie was able to do it. So thanks1

To everyone who responded, thank you. I am plugging along still making things and will be sending out my first shipment of merchandise in about 12 hours (Eek!). Then I think I'll take a breather and get to a meeting. I'll update you all after the art fair in 3 weeks to let you know how it went and how stuff is selling in the consignment store as well.

Hugs to all :-)

[Fluttering]

Worrying about the "waht ifs" is in the tomarrows...Stay in the present with gratitude that you have the abililty to be creative

Place it in God's hands..We can make plans..We do not get to plan the results..All God ever asks of us is to to the very best we can today. Tomarrow will tae care of itself