If you make jewelry for gifts or to sell, be sure to keep one of the best pieces for yourself now and then! Too often we sell or give away the items that we consider to be our best work. If we keep anything at all, it’s usually not a favorite creation. I call this the “burnt cookie syndrome”. Do you ever stand at the stove and eat the rejects, so the family can have the “good” cookies?!? I see you nodding out there. 😉
Most women seem to have an innate desire to give the best to others. We’ll eat the burnt cookie, or make sure to take the chipped dinner plate, or select the bent fork. It isn’t necessarily that we don’t value ourselves, or that we are afraid for others to see our imperfections. I like to think it’s more that we actually enjoy making things special for others.
Of course we realize that isn’t always possible, so we allow ourselves a little “breathing room” by personally settling for a lower standard. It’s a compromise that’s not too difficult to accept. After all, we know that if we really want to, we can choose to be fussy for ourselves – anytime!
So tie a string around your finger or stick a post-it note on the fridge, but please remember that any day might just be the day, to make something special for YOU!
© 2008 Bead Happily Ever After
Good point 🙂
You are right in saying that one should keep their best creation for themselves. This has a number of benefits to it. First one is that you can show it off wearing with the matching dress and people will notice them. May be you are getting a prospective buyer. If not then at least you will earn appreciation. Word of mouth spreads faster than anything else. These beads are light and simple. Will look great on the matching dress.
When I make something I REALLY LOVE, I look at it. And look at it. And look at it some more. I have lots of things I am still looking at. Hate to part with them. My “looking” collection is growing.
Is that red agate in the center? Beautiful!! They are all beautiful.
I think most gals do tend to give away the best. I know I do. But after reading this I am going to make a special point when I have something I really like, I am going to keep it for myself. You are so right!
This is a sweet post! It is true that this happens. I recall just a few weeks ago when I made chicken and one piece was tough and dry. My boyfriend tried to get that piece, but I took it, because I didn’t want him to think I was a bad cook, rather than admit my imperfections.
I love creating something and then treasuring it. I also love creating for others as well!
I love the idea of keeping one’s best item(s), but only if they will be used. I know artists who don’t wear (for example) earrings, but make them.
O well, you are a good person. When I make cookies, I don’t keep the burned ones for me, I throw them to the birds or whatever other critter will eat them, and they do.
I don’t sell, but if I did, I’m not sure that I wouldn’t keep the best for me cause I love jewelry to much and if I were selling, I would justify keeping it as an advertisement. I usually make a gift with the person in mind, and don’t keep for myself. But then, most other people I know and love don’t have the same taste in jewelry as I do, so its usually not a problem.
I absolutely love your Sea Cruise earrings. Just reading their name immediately brought the song to mind and it hasn’t left yet. Thank you very much for that.
Love ya
Carol
You are so right! I always eat those burnt cookies, and I hardly ever keep anything I make for myself! But, I know that I can always make another one for myself of anything that I’ve already made…so it’s not too bad … I guess!
Hugs, Paulette :o)
Thank you for thinking of me!
I know what you mean… I recently bought myself a quilted apron at a second hand store. When I showed my mom she said how lovely it was and I actually felt badly that I had bought it for myself instead of for her… I had to remind myself that it’s okay to get something for me once in a blue moon! Thanks for the reminder!
Yes, we women are caretakers by nature and we give, give and give some more! At some point, we need to think of ourselves and take care of our needs. If we don’t, we won’t be any good to anyone else. Many thanks, Cindi
You are absolutely right! I couldn’t agree with you more!
Exactly…when buying wedding shower presents…I always buy the most colourful, brightest, cutest things…for home…it’s always the most practical!!
Hmm. I have to say, for me, the joy of making anything is, well, MAKING it– once it’s made, I’m bored with it! Ha! So I don’t like to keep my stuff. But Lone Acorn is right– I totally should keep some of my pretties to wear around.
Oh– and I LOVE the burnt cookies. Sadly, so does my husband. So we end up fighting over the burnt ones.;)
Every piece of jewelry I make I do in duplicate – one for me, one for you. It’s only fair 🙂
What a beautiful post. This is so true.
Wearing your own creations is also the best form of advertising. 🙂
‘So tie a string around your finger or stick a post-it note on the fridge, but please remember that any day might just be the day, to make something special for YOU!’ — So wonderful!
You make some interesting points. The pictures are very pretty.