Why I created my Bella Wish Guide

Early this year, after much technology-related headache, I released my Bella Wish Guide to Hand Stamping. I started my business Bella Wish in late summer of 2008 and taught myself how to hand stamp on metal. There wasn’t a lot of information to be found back then and I spent countless hours teaching myself, mostly through trial and error, what to do… and more importantly what not to do. After receiving many inquiries about where I purchase supplies and how I create some of my necklaces, I decided to put all of that information together in one place.

This was a labor of love for me that began sometime over the 2011 summer and was created over the course of six months in those stolen moments of being a work at home parent. Just like my shop, my photography and my writing, putting together this guide fed my creative hunger that was also re-birthed from becoming a mama. In some ways that creative part of me feels separate from motherhood, but I realize it’s not separate at all, it’s so very connected. But that is an entirely different post for another day. Bella Wish was born from my heart and this guide is an extension of my heart.

At first, the thought of offering everything I knew about hand stamping seemed a bit scary – not so much for me, but for others. When I would share that I was putting together this guide, some people asked a lot of good questions. Why would I want to just give away all those hours of work I put in and teach others to make what I was already making. Wasn’t I scared to lose business by doing so? And didn’t that worry me?

These thoughts never occurred to me until people started asking. But my answer remained the same – I truly believe there is room for each of us. We each have something unique to offer. This is the beauty of creating – the world needs our vision. We all benefit when this happens. Why wouldn’t I want to share what I knew with those who were interested and had asked me for something like this?

I create the things that I am seeking. This is true of my necklaces while traveling my journey to motherhood, my photography workshop when I needed a way to seek out beauty, my sacred amulet workshop because I believe in their power and the nourishing mama retreat I am currently putting together now that I am a mama. It is also true of this guide. I would have loved something like this when I was exploring the world of hand stamping.

I am one of a gajillion jewelry makers in the world, but I also know those who purchase from me have done so because something in my message resonated with them, same as any working artist. Yes, I am showing in this guide how I make my necklaces since that is what I know, but I am in no way endorsing that others turn around and copy my exact necklaces, or anyone elses.

In fact, there is a section in this guide about copywriting and my thoughts about inspiration vs. downright stealing. It’s a sensitive subject for me, and one I handle with care. I also wrote a section about telling our stories through our designs which is what I believe to be the heart of any creative based business.

I believe when anyone shares a technique they know it is with the intention that others will use it merely as a guide and in conjunction with their unique voice in a way that resonates with others and not to recreate what has already been created. I suppose in a way I see it in the same way I would use a recipe, which I see as simply a guide to get me started knowing I will modify it to suit my own taste.

Innovation is the root to all that expands – my motivation is that others will blow me away with their own creations based on something they learned from my guide perhaps.

Positive change is what happens when support replaces competition. I’ve been so blessed to be uplifted by the support of so many inspiring and wise artists in my community and I love to support artists in any way I can. It feels good and reminds me how truly connected we are.

Each one of us is creative and has ideas waiting to blossom in whatever form that may be. Why not partner and support each other, trusting that in doing so the well of creativity we each inherently hold within us won’t dry up by doing so. The well flows when we do. This kind of self trust is a constant lesson for me.

When artists teach other artists what they know it opens up a world filled with beautiful possibility. Rather than hold on to old patterns about hoarding secrets and fierce competition, sharing what we each know simply allows us all to create freely and authentically. Imagine the world we create when we open ourselves up to possibility and step out of fear.

This may sound idealistic and all hippy woo woo la la la to some, but it’s what I believe and how I consciously choose to walk through this life. I believe in possibility and supporting each other. I believe abundance can still thrive when values, soul and spirit are the foundation of a business, rather than “stealing the marketshare” or “killing the competition” as I recently read in a business blog.

I believe in trying things that I never thought I would and incorporating them in ways I can’t yet imagine. Perhaps for you, hand stamping is not something you have ever thought to try, but what if you stepped into the possibility of what having another skill in your creative toolbelt could do for your art? What could you create with a new skill? What would that look like for you? I invite you to find out.

I am offering my Bella Wish Guide to Hand Stamping at an introductory price of $25.00.

1) Tell me if/how it helped you by sending me a message to bellawish@me.com

2) Share it with others via Facebook, Twitter, etc., and, yes oh yes, offline too!

You may purchase yours at the introductory price here.

May it serve you well.