Looking back on Design + Curiosity Studio
2020 was definitely a year of letting go. Letting go of the extra weight in order to be able to carry just the minimum to survive. The same can be said now for my side hustle Design + Curiosity Studio. Like my blog I started this ‘hustle’ with a burst of creative enthusiasm and hope. The year was 2017, I was working my corporate job in an industry that didn’t excite me and didn’t feel like a longterm life plan. I had always been excited about my statement jewelry, a small hobby I was doing on the side for myself and as gifts for friends and family. It was was actually sort of born out of blogging. Design + Curiosity Studio honestly changed my life, which sounds a little dramatic for making earrings with an Instagram profile of less than 1000 people, but it’s 100% true. Because my customers were SO enthusiastic and I was having so much fun doing it (although making significantly less money) it opened my eyes to a whole other creative career path that may not be quite as secure but was sure a hell of a lot more fun!
From my Instagram page @designandcuriositystudio
Soon shops were stocking my pieces and I was popping up more at markets. I wasn’t doing it full time but I was happy. It was the earring hustle that piqued my interest to retail life and small business entrepreneurship. I learned about hosting a website and managing sales and dealing with customers. I was introduced to other makers and artists and shop owners. Laser-cutting acrylic was my primary medium and I was experimenting with techniques, patterns, colors, fun phrases.
From my Instagram page @designandcuriositystudio
I always knew that it wasn’t going to be a forever thing but it was the best stepping stone to a life that I honestly didn’t even know I could have. Between the shop and future creative projects that I want to work on it’s time to pull back a little bit on it. Take pressure off myself to have to create and grow. For the time being I am going to focus on just creating things for myself and find that spark of happiness all over again. It taught me a valuable lesson though, that if you have a creative passion then GO FOR IT! Because even if it’s not going to last forever it might bring some joy to your life now. It might even lead to something even better.
From my Instagram page @designandcuriositystudio
You’ll still be able to shop my remaining stock in-store at Oh Pink! Party Shop and online at ohpinkpartyshop.com
This was such a fun and fulfilling season in my life and if you were someone who bought and rocked a pair of earrings I made THANK YOU!
