Change

I got a final notice from my web hosting provider that desertbloomdesigns.com is scheduled for deletion soon. I closed this website in December 2023 when I decided to close my jewelry making business. The domain name renews in July and back in July 2024 I couldn't bring myself to irreversibly pull the plug on that brand, so I renewed it and parked it. But this year I am finally letting it go. It served me well for over 25 years.

We have all heard the expression when one door closes another one will open. Well, I don't need another door to open, but this concrete end to my artistic life has thrown me for loop. Yes, I still design and make a few pieces of jewelry mainly for myself. And I really do not want the pressure of running a solo business anymore. But this closure, this finality, this ending is brutal.

Shifts happen all throughout our lives. It's a natural part of living. Change is a natural phenomenon. We find ourselves saying good-bye to one aspic of our lives as we transition to another.

I think this transition is particularly hard for me because my identity as a person was wrapped up in the jewelry brand I created. My designs were literally me. I created every aspect of the jewelry to express my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes my hands would ache after a day’s work of setting stones or making glass beads. It hurt but felt so good.

Then a few years ago the pleasure of the work started to slowly diminish. That brought confusion for a while as the spark began to diminish. It took me awhile to realize that it was time to close that chapter of my life. At first it was exhilarating to make the decision. Then a little sadness. But I realize it's not really a death, but it's a shift in myself.

I am building a retrospective of my artistic journey on my website and in my Silver Musings blog, along with delving into many other things that brings me joy.

I'm thankful for all the people along the way who influenced my life and so happy that many of you are here with me today. Tell me about change in your life…..

Louise x