Breakthrough to Clarity

I’ve recently been invigorated with a new driving force. July and August have been very difficult months for me, as I had been out of commission for a week thanks to the flu, which then resulted in horrific sinus headaches that left me bound to my bed and useless for weeks. Finally within the last two weeks I’ve been headache free. During those weeks of truly unbearable pain I began reading a book I borrowed from my good friend Judy. The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin is truly an invaluable read for crafters and artisans seeking to grow their business.

Chapin does an excellent job of providing professional advise from a collection of successful crafting entrepreneurs. As a crafter, I was intrigued by the encouraging stories and advice. The book offers a realistic look into the crafting community and how to incorporate your unique gift. Chapin, along with others, gives advice on how to brand, market and sell a product, while encouraging crafters to become involved with the crafting community to support and be supported.

I personally am looking at my business from a different perspective after reading The Handmade Marketplace. Although I’ve been in business for two years there are many pieces to my puzzle that I’ve managed to overlook, as this book gave me the push I need to move forward with great momentum. I look forward to my new projects on the horizon, and of course taking the proper measures to bring them to market and continue to share with you!

Jenée Dionne
Jurney Jurray, LLC
www.jurneyurray.com
jewelry@jurneyjurray.com

“Do What You Love and Love What You Do”

In trying to adhere to the well known quote of encouragement “Do what you Love. Love what you do.” I have learned that this merely translates to mean that anything in life worth having is worth fighting for and where there is a fight there is struggle and where there is struggle a chance for loss is possible, but ultimately belief in oneself is the driving force to press forward. As an entrepreneur this is my reality…

I have recently added handmade handbags, now dubbed Glam-Bags, to Jurney Jurray’s assorted collection of handmade items. This has been a project that has been put on hold for more than two years, as I was encouraged by my good friend and former co-worker, Judy, to give sewing a try. And sew I did (pun intended:) although at that time I hadn’t the slightest clue of what I was doing, I knew I wanted to create something special. The floral print hand-sewn handbag was nothing short of special as I truly hadn’t the slightest clue of what I was doing, and that’s when that project was shelved over two years  ago.

In between time I had continued to focus on handcrafting jewelry and accessories, as I have since come back to the “shelved project” with a renewed sense of direction. I have rediscovered my love for sewing, which I had neglected for 20 years. However, it took for me to focus my attention elsewhere to develop my style. And through it all, “Glam-Bags” by Jurney Jurray were born and I hadn’t realized the intense love I have by combining two loves from my past into one creation of designing, sewing and jewelry embellishment.

But so goes the saying “Do what you love. Love what you do” which again reminds me of the struggle that I face as a small business owner in trying to remain operational. As the price of materials continue to rise while our economy struggles to recover, the reality is grim in my business as fashionable jewelry and accessories will always be a want and never a necessity. Trying to work within those parameters is difficult enough for me as a small business owner who cannot afford to purchase in massive quantities at pennies on the dollar as multi-million dollar companies that outsource production are able to. To put this in perspective, here’s a prime example of my reality.

One purse from start to finish can take 12 hours to produce (typically a 2-day project)

• 3 yards of fabric @ $8/per yard = $24
• Purse handle before embellishment = $6
• Purse handle embellishment = $12.50
• Trim = $2
• Jewelry embellishment = $5-$10
• Floral decor = $3

Total before labor = $55.50-$60.50

Jurney Jurray Glam-Bags sell for $40. I have elected to not cut corners because I still believe in myself and my God given abilities. The fact remains, I cannot compete with companies that purchase massive amounts of materials and outsource production overseas for pennies on the dollar, but what I do offer are unique products truly made by doing what I love and loving what I do.

Silver Rose

Naturally Beautiful

Pink Passion Fashion

Rock Star Life

Respectfully,

Jenee DIonne
Jurney Jurray, LLC
www.jurneyjurray.com
jewelry@jurneyjurray.com
http://www.facebook.com/jurneyjurrayllc
Twitter @jurneyjurray

Merchandise Designs by Jurney Jurray

Our family business is founded upon the creativity and strength of women, and throughout my experiences I have been pulled through with great encouragement by those around me. As we will continue to be triumphant through our tragedy and strive to claim victory. A good friend reminded me just yesterday to always “speak life” in all that I do. I have been encouraged and inspired as I have a responsibility not only as a mother to encourage empowerment, but also as a believer in the beauty of humanity. I’d like to contribute uplifting sentiments, just as others have done to enlighten me, and I hope you enjoy them!

For more information on Jurney Jurray’s merchadise, please visit http://www.zazzle.com/jurneyjurray

Respectfully,

Jenee Dionne
Jurney Jurray, LLC
http://www.jurneyjurray.com
http://www.facebook.com/jurneyjurrayllc
jewelry@jurneyjurray.com