How to Regain Your Drive for Your Craft After a Loss?

by Melissa Arnold.
(Ontario, Canada)

Melissa Arnold at her Saheta Jewelry Booth, Toronto Etsy Street Team Show

Myself and a few of my pieces at
a small Toronto Etsy Street Team Show

Hello fellow Artisans,

I know we’ve all hit road bumps as Artists and Designers and sometimes we burn out, take a few days or a week from our art and then get back into it.

This time it’s different though, and I don’t know what to do.

I know I love my work, and I loved making jewelry.

I LOVED doing craft shows.

Almost every day that I was crafting in my studio, I was always talking with my boyfriend (and later fiance).

He kept me company while I worked and was a huge support during those first 3 years.

I even taught his daughter to make jewelry and we’d have little jewelry parties. We’d go bead shopping together and she’d pick out beads for her own collection.

Purple and Turquoise Steampunk Pocket Watch Necklace - Melissa Arnold

Feminine Steampunk Pocket Watch Necklace

Unfortunately my family did everything they possibly could to destroy my fiance and our relationship.

They made it impossible for me to marry him.

My family did a lot of horrible things, and I ended up with PTSD.

I’m a caregiver for my grandfather so I’m stuck being surrounded by them and putting up with what they do.

For a long time the quiet while I worked in my studio made me think of all that stuff and I’d be crying and couldn’t focus.

But for this past year, I haven’t been able to get back into it and stay inside my studio for long.

I’ve kept my shop open and I have sold some pieces, but I haven’t participated in a craft show for over a year.

I’ve added shelves for more space in my studio, redone my branding, bought better organizers, bought more beads…but I just can’t seem to get into designing pieces.

Painted Lucite Flower Earrings - Melissa Arnold

Painted Lucite Flower Earrings

One of my hand dyed Lucite flower earrings was even worn on “The Vampire Diaries” last season, but even that has not inspired me to design more pieces.

I was wondering if any of you Artists who have hit a rather long mental road block could share your stories on how you overcame it and rediscovered your passion in your work?

I’m just seeking ideas about re-becoming an Artist so I can feel whole again.

I’m not looking for advice about my family, that’s long over with and there is nothing I can do about what happened.

Melissa Arnold
Sahetah’s Jewelry on Etsy
Saheta’s Jewelry on Facebook

FREE - Get 7 Super Jewelry Making Hacks

Get Rena's 7 Super Jewelry Making Hacks, plus the Jewelry Making Journal Newsletter - all for FREE.

We Respect Your Email Privacy

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 22 comments