(00:00) Hello everyone and welcome back to the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast slash video, depending on where you're going to watch this. I'm here with Gemma. Hi Gemma. Hi Steph.

(00:10) And today I want Gemma to do a deep dive into her business, answer some questions. It's going to be fun. It's going to be like a very chill chat. Um, so why don't we kick off by you telling us a little bit about you, what you do, your business and plug away.

(00:27) So obviously I'm Gemma as you've already said or Gem depending on what you prefer. My business is Wild and Gem because it's a little bit of me and it's a little bit of kind of the wild nature inspired and sometimes I use gemstones too so that's where the name really comes from. and I make very much nature inspired jewelry and it comes into different strands so some of the jewelry is things that have been foraged or botanicals from nature so they're things found in nature some of the jewelry is cast from nature so it might be real shells etc that have then been cast into wearable wearable charms that are made into necklaces bracelets earrings etc and then some of the pieces are inspired by nature, so inspired by Northern Lights scenes for example, so things are either found in nature, inspired by nature, or cast from nature, but

(01:18) all very much kind of nature, in the wild, outdoors type theme. Love that, love that, and if you haven't looked at her shop yet, you need to because it's so, I mean the Northern Lights thing, the the sunflower, I mean I'm just like, It's just so lush. And your pictures are amazing as well. I would just like to say that because they are so, so good.

(01:43) I don't have any fancy equipment for that. It's literally just me and my iPhone. So I don't have a big fancy setup or investment. It's just trying to capture them authentically so that people can see the details and see what they're actually getting.

(01:57) the other end. Yeah and I think that's like a real lesson as well because people see those and think oh you know I need to have like a DSLR camera I need to have like a little a little space in my house you know and I think this is just a lesson that you don't you can just if you know your products and you know how the light hits them and you know where to position yourself and the camera we're all good. If you see my terrible photography setup when I take photographs you would laugh I'm talking about, you know, something perched on top of a, you know, three stack high dictionaries in the middle of my living room.

(02:34) It's not fancy. I love that. That's so, so cool. So what made you fall in love with what you sell?

(02:41) Like kind of what made you fall, I say fall into, but what kind of made you discover that this was going to be your thing? So I come from a really, really crafty background. So my mom was like, you know, when I say crafting, she was just so good at it. And like, I feel like I can never quite kind of measure up to her.

(03:00) She was incredible at everything. So I was really bought up with it. Um, and I was bought up in the age where, you know, shops weren't open on Sundays. Wouldn't that be nice if it was still a thing and people went, yeah, people went to these country shows and my mom would go and exhibit at these big country shows.

(03:16) I was really brought up with it and I think that gave me a real love and a passion for things that are handcrafted and a real appreciation for the work that goes into it because it was such a big part of my childhood. So I carried on and I've always made and done lots and lots of things and I had made jewellery for a long time and I'd specialised in bridal jewellery for a while And then I've been doing quite a lot of project work. I've been teaching for about 10 years. I'd also done quite a lot of project work when I came out of teaching.

(03:47) And it was actually during Covid, as I know is true for a lot of people, that I went back to kind of remembering how important the outdoors was for me. and how important getting outside, out of an office environment, getting some fresh air, back to the basics of appreciation of nature. And I was kind of like, right, let's now combine those things for me. So let's combine the skills that I've already had in jewellery making, and I've learnt lots of new ones along the way.

(04:16) But how can I now also bring in this absolute love of the outdoors? I've got, you know, that capturing kind of that moment in nature, the colors in nature. That's a very big thing for me because when you see a lot of kind of nature-based things, often it's very green or it's very, you know, and I'm like, no, there's so many colors in nature. Let's capture that.

(04:36) You know, in the sunflower range, let's capture all the colors of that. And that's kind of a big thing for me, really capturing the feel of the outside if I can. I love that. I think that's, yeah, bang on.

(04:48) Because like you say, people go for earthy, they go for green, they go for brown, they go for ambers, oranges. But I love the fact that in every picture of yours, you're kind of like, how can I enhance the colors that's in the jewelry without detracting away and I think that's like the key thing. A lot of people go ooh props and they kind of like add a lot of stuff and that's that's that's what I think I love about your your your stuff is that every picture is themed but it's still in keeping with your brand um and I think you've really gone all in with like the colors there so that definitely comes across for sure.

(05:26) I mean have a look in the garden in summer you know it's bright it's full of flowers and I'm not a big one to put lots of things on my pictures that aren't actually what I'm selling. And I've started doing in-person events. I'm trying not to do that. I'm trying to kind of keep the props to a minimum because the focus is on the product ultimately.

(05:43) Yeah. Got you. Got you. So I mean, I just, I love, I love your stuff and I'm going to ask you a question now.

(05:51) Where do you get your inspiration from? Because you have very specific collections. And if you don't know, if you go to Wild and Gem, like, what's your links? Just because people are going to want to know.

(06:03) So what's your links and where can they find you? OK, so it's very basics at the moment. It's just Etsy. So Wild and Gem on Etsy.

(06:11) or on Instagram, it's at wild and gem. So just those two basic things right now. That's good. Do you know what?

(06:17) That's, I think that's one of the first times I've heard someone go, you know, I'm, I'm keeping it chill. I'm like, yes. Yeah. That's as much as I can cope with right now.

(06:26) The growth time will come, but it's not right now. So going back to my question, how do you find inspiration for your collections? So some of it, and this is something I've learnt through Handmade Bosses, is if you've got something that sells really well, how else can you sort of, I don't like to use the word monopolise, but ultimately that's what it is, how can you grow a collection based on that?

(06:51) So some of my pieces have come from one or two of my bestsellers, and how can I grow out from that? And that is something, as I said, that I've learnt through the Academy. And then sometimes it is just sort of spending that time, maybe keeping a sketchbook for some ideas, because I'll come up with something while I'm out, and by the time I've got home, I'm busy, or I'm at that age where I've probably forgotten it. So keeping a little sketchbook is really handy.

(07:16) And I just take loads of photographs as well, and I'll look back and look at the colours of things and think, oh, look at the colours of that, it's beautiful. Or, you know, recently I saw the Northern Lights at home, which was amazing. And, you know, it's kind of capturing a bit of that magic. So it's really trying to capture that feeling.

(07:31) And I think it's good if you're somebody that can, you know, keep a little notebook or just keep photos on your phone in a separate file of inspiration. and then to go back and have a look at that and, you know, to keep some fresh inspiration in your mind. That's really cool. Yeah.

(07:47) And I think the inspiration, I feel like that's what a lot of people struggle with. So would your advice be to just go out in nature, especially if you do do nature-inspired stuff and actually go and like live among. nature and just kind of grab some inspo from that if people are struggling with that blank screen knowing what to kind of do next. Yeah, I mean, I can definitely get kind of stuck in that space sometimes of what do I do next?

(08:15) But I also think it's good to go back and have a look at what it is that you are actually selling really well. And then really have a think around those things. What else could you make from that? I don't know, if you saw something that is rainbow themed and you're currently making cushion covers with rainbows on, could you make pouches for books with rainbows on or could you you know what else could you do around that theme if that's something that's particularly important to people

(08:42) and i've found that there are certain genres that people really like so there are certain things that are very meaningful to people you know um in the flowers world forget me knots are very meaningful to people So if I'm making forget-me-not necklaces, could I introduce a bracelet or could I introduce earrings? And how can I move out from that theme? I think that's a good starting point if you're stuck.

(09:03) But another thing, like I said, is just to keep your own ideas log. So just keep snapping those pictures, you know, writing things down. And then when you're really stuck, you can reference back and hopefully something will grab you. Yeah, love that, love that.

(09:16) Okay, so in terms of where kind of in your journey did you find me, Handmade Bosses, kind of like talk a little bit more about your overall journey with it. So it was close to the start of my jewellery journey. I think I probably first came across you in 2022. Oh wow!

(09:40) Quite a long time ago now and then it was a bit of an odd one. It's probably not the way most people go about it really but I'd probably watched one or two of your like videos. I think I've probably seen you on social media and I'd seen some of the coaches on social media and it was a bit kind of some of the other coaches it was a bit sort of like sensationalist. It was a bit like, do this one thing now.

(10:02) And I'm like, oh, I've had lots of drama over the last couple years. I don't need any sensationalism. I don't need any drama. You know, I just, I just need to kind of, you know, let's do this.

(10:11) Let's do that calm type thing. And so actually the first time that I ever had any interaction with you was through you looking at my shop for me. And I know it's not necessarily something you do that much of now, but if you do ever have any of those slots folks, grab them because it was so useful. And I was, because I've always been a crafter and I've always been somebody who loves handmade things, likes to hand make, I was making lots of different things and I put kind of a couple of different things into my shop.

(10:44) And I remember what you said to me, and you still say this now sometimes, and I have a little chuckle to myself, because it resonates. And you said, I say this with love, but... Yeah, I thought, do you know what? She's blooming right.

(11:00) She's blooming right. And what she's saying, she's saying with absolute love, because she wants me to succeed and do well with this. But yeah, she's really right. And I've got to kind of take some of this stuff off.

(11:12) And everything that you said was absolutely on the mark about what I had started to sell. My sales were absolutely minute at the time. But the things that I was selling, you'd 100% picked up on. And so I had that kind of like, I can't think what you call it, like shop review, I suppose.

(11:29) online that you'd recorded for me. Yeah. And then it was a little, well probably a few months after that, that I then joined the academy. That was in April 23.

(11:38) Wow. So sort of two and a half years ago now. That's, that's really, really good. I'm glad that you, that you kind of like took the, I guess like advice, I guess you, you could, you could call it from the critique and kind of went, okay, yeah, no, I can see that.

(11:58) yeah I think it's quite hard at times like we get these things and like you say like you might watch a video or two three but I think not having that pressure to do it all at once, because I think that at times we're an all or nothing kind of bunch, where we're either not really working on stuff right now, we're doing other things, life, or we are, right, I need to get everything, I need my branding done, my target audience done, this done, this done, this done, all within the space of a week. or a day. So, um, yeah, I think, I think that's a really good lesson to have is that little, not little and often.

(12:39) Literally, I am only a really small way through that course. So I've had that course for two and a half years. I'm only a really small way, but that's okay because I've got lifetime access for that course. And I know the one amazing thing about that course is that I know you update it really regularly.

(12:55) So it's not like if I don't do it there and then and I come back to it, it's going to be out of date. That's not a problem. And, you know, I know the things that I need to be working on right now. So right now I'm not quite at the stage where I'm ready to do an email list or make my own website, but I'm really need to focus on my social media because I'm terrible at it.

(13:13) So I've joined SMS to help with that. And I, you know, I've even, although I haven't finished the course, I've been back and revisited sections that I've already done. Because I think, oh, I need another, I need another kick up the bum about that. Or I need another reminder about that.

(13:27) I need another motivation, another motivational speech about that. And I'm about, because I've just joined Etsy Plus, I'm about to tackle Etsy ads, because you get a little bit of free credit, obviously, with that. And I know there's a section in the course about that. So I'll, I'll go back to that bit.

(13:43) So I'm not necessarily doing it in order. But I'm doing it where I need it to be. Yeah. It's not like a one and done course, though, is it?

(13:54) And I guess that's what. I guess that's why I try and stay away from the word course because people go, okay, a course is you start, you end, you're done. But it's, it's very much like a tool. And like you said, you've been in there for two and a bit years at this point.

(14:08) Yeah. And you're kind of like dipping in as and when you need to knowing that, you know, it's going to be updated. Lifetime access, like you said, it's going to be a thing that when you're ready for various different trickles of things, it's going to be there. It's my business buddy, it's not a course for me.

(14:33) I love that and I think having that attitude with it is really really good as well. So two and a half years, that's crazy. So tell me a little bit more about what impact has it had on your business? Because I remember the shop critique.

(14:50) I remember you've been on like coaching calls and stuff. And I've kind of seen differences as and as and when, but I'd be really interested, like from your perspective, rather than mine, like what impact has it had? It's, it's set a clear path for me. So it's made that path easier and more direct.

(15:10) It's given me consistency. It's provided a constant toolkit that's always there. And it's provided me a safety blanket, really. And I know this is kind of like going into sort of the impact that it's also had on my life personally, but the two are really intertwined for me.

(15:33) Because actually years ago, I had a bricks and mortar store. Different business, complete different business. And I ended up selling that business in the end. but my mum worked on that business with me and unfortunately she became ill and then later passed away but I was left feeling very lonely with it and it was a lot for me to take on by myself and It's the security of having that community.

(15:59) So not only have I got the security of the course, but I can dip back into, like I said, I've never looked at the Etsy ads bit before, but now I'm at that face and now I'm going to go back to that bit and have a look. And I know it will be up to date. So that's happy days. But there's also the security of knowing that there is a community there.

(16:17) There are people I can talk to in the Facebook group. you know, I can reach out to the team if I need to. And it's a security blanket that I didn't have in that bricks and mortar store. And that was a very lonely, difficult place to be in business, when there is only you, and there's nobody else to say, what do you think of this?

(16:34) How does that look? And if sometimes it's just having that conversation, just that conversation can be really empowering, you know, to have somebody look at something on a coaching call or just put a note in the group. That's been a huge thing for me. And like I said, it hasn't been a course where, you know, there's a deadline and I've got to have my coursework in in six weeks time.

(16:54) It has been like a business buddy, a sort of constant security blanket, that even in the weeks that I haven't looked at it, or I haven't been on a coaching call or anything else, I know it's there. I know it's there in the back of my mind. Sometimes I just have a little login, just have a little look down the list, remind myself what's there and what I can, what I can tap into and dig into. So it's having that.

(17:15) And for me, that's really empowering, both on a business and on a personal level. Yeah no that that makes perfect sense because I think when you do start especially if you're not in a community of like other business owners like you might have an odd third cousin that might have their own business but if you're not really spending time with them and everyone else around you is kind of in like the nine to five grind and you're kind of like well I don't have no one to ask about these things. And like you said, I think we have a lot of ideas.

(17:48) And I think sometimes it's actually knowing, okay, what ideas are going to drive me crazy in like a month's time and what ideas are actually going to bring something to the table. And I think for me, you know, as I said before, I'm an ex teacher. A lot of my friends are kind of, you know, all of my friends are sort of in that nine to five thing. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

(18:09) That's that's what's right for them. But it's there hasn't been anybody else for me to share that with. And also, you know, when it comes to kind of like make a mindset, I felt a little bit like, oh, maybe I should be out doing the nine to five. And why doesn't that suit me?

(18:22) And why do I need to be out getting fresh air for an hour every day? And everybody else is happy to be sat in an office. And oh, you know, and I felt a little bit out on my out on my own with that, I guess, sort of psychologically. So it's nice to have a group of other people that also are like, I need to be making and I need to, you know, my mind doesn't necessarily work like the nine to five thing as well.

(18:45) So it is having that group of kind of like-minded people that again stops me feeling quite so on my own with it. And like you said, where I perhaps haven't got people who are in the same scenario to have those conversations with. Yeah. No, I get it.

(19:00) I get it. And I think like that, that has a big impact on your life as well because, you know, whether we like it or not, our business, it's not, I mean they say, don't they, like you chop in a nine to five to have a nine to nine because you're just thinking about it, you're thinking of ideas and you never quite know when the inspiration is going to sort of strike. So I think like having that there group there that's open 24 hours a day where if you are up at 3 a.m.

(19:30) and you're like I just need to just get this down and just so I know in the morning I can then ask and kind of get some feedback on this 3 a.m. idea that I'm not sure if it's you know gonna go anywhere or not. But yeah, I think, I think you're right. I think it is very lonely, especially when you start.

(19:48) And also that it's a very reflective process too, where you are going to find out more about yourself as you do it. You're going to find out more about how you work, how you learn. You know, you might actually have been in a nine to five your whole life or a nine to four or whatever. and discover that that's actually not your best work pattern that actually you're a morning person or you're an evening person and there's just so many things rolled into that and sometimes it can feel really uncomfortable to break that mold you know.

(20:20) Yes yeah and my mold definitely looks very different to other people's um you know there are definitely things that I need to do or don't need to do during the day like I said I have to get out get some fresh air you know a little bit of I need my nature top up during the day um you know I've been a busy mum I've got three sons um and you know a husband who he works away a lot and is extremely busy with work so i've needed to kind of make it work for me and that that is another reason for sort of coming out of the at the nine to five it just wasn't wasn't fitting for me really yeah got it got it got it So what's been your biggest takeaway from the HBSA? What's been your biggest thing that, so far from what you've done, that you've gone, that there has been the thing, you know?

(21:05) Okay, so yeah, I mean, I think it depends at what stage you are at, obviously, because at different times throughout your journey, you know, suddenly that's going to be your biggest takeaway. A big thing for me, and this comes right back to that first review of my Etsy shop video, is the niching section. And I'd really say to everybody, get your niching down. Get into that niching section and have a deep dive into that.

(21:29) And that is really something now that I'm very, very set on and really drives my business forward. And I really, really stick to it. So I'm very big on now what my core niche is. And again, to start with, that wasn't a thing.

(21:46) But that niche also extends to not just my product range. And I've learned to love my niche. And I've learned to kind of say, I love to make other stuff too, but that's going to be my hobby stuff. That's not going to be my business stuff.

(21:59) I'm going to separate those things out. So my business stuff is going to be my niche stuff. And everything else I like doing is going to be my hobby things. But my niche also extends to, as I said, not just what I make, but the materials that I use, and I will not deviate from that.

(22:14) So the materials I use in terms of quality, so I only use certain metals, I only use certain other raw materials, and I absolutely will not and do not ever deviate from it. And my customers know that therefore that is what they're getting because that is the standard of how I present my work what it's made from what the theme is because that is my niche and I think that's I think that's really important for customers to know. Agreed agreed that sounds for sure like your your USP. Yes.

(22:49) Which intertwines with your niche and I think um Do you see a lot of makers making the mistake of at some point shunning their USP and therefore a little bit of their niche as well and that might be the downfall? Yes yeah and when I've said to other makers when I've when I've had this conversation with the makers kind of you know I have said look you tell me what it exactly what is your niche what materials are you using what are you making and and stick to that don't deviate because it's really confusing for customers you know don't say that everything that you make for example Oh, I only use 100% cotton, you know, or when suddenly then you've got three items in polyester, you know, don't don't do that. It's really confusing for people.

(23:37) So and lots of people make jewelry that I that I, you know, sort of jewelry that I make, and they use very different materials, etc, etc. And that's absolutely fine. You know, they say comparison is the thief of joy. That's great. Let them do that thing.

(23:52) That's their thing. That's their niche. That's their USP. It's not mine.

(23:56) My customers are coming to me for what I niche in and my USP. And I'm hard and fast sticking to that. Nobody's going to budge me off that. I love that.

(24:07) I love that. You're planting your flag in the ground and going, this is my thing. Yes. I love that.

(24:14) That's the biggest, I think that is the biggest thing I've taken from it from day one. yeah yeah and i think like i get a lot of um dms emails questions from people who are like i've just started to sell insert thing here it can be candles it can be jewelry it can be t-shirts it can be art whatever and they go but there's so many other people out there that do it and also do it for cheaper than what I could sell that to and and I sell that for and I think that is a real test testament I guess to like actually yeah and like you said there are other people that are doing the same kind of thing as you but because you've put your flag in the ground and you've got your niche USP you know deep deep down that you're that you're perfect client Is going to want those things and they're not going to go to

(25:05) joe blogs up the road who has The same sort of well, I guess some sometimes we look at other products and think oh, it's the same thing. It's not really Um, and they're not going to go to them. They're going to go to you Yeah. And when you dig your heels in over a kind of your, you know, your strong niche, you'll, you'll develop your confidence in that.

(25:25) I think at first there is so much noise and you're always like, Oh, but so-and-so is selling it for this. And does it look similar, et cetera, et cetera. And I think that that confidence for that really, it just develops over time. So, you know, dig your heels in with your niche.

(25:38) And then you, as I said, that confidence with that will, will grow and you'll be able to block out some of that noise. Yeah. Love it. I love it.

(25:47) And also as well like shout your USP from the rooftops Like you want to be putting that on social media? You want to be putting that in every listing you want to be really like shouting about that? I do a lot a lot of these interviews and at times they'll say oh Did you know that my stuff is is this and this and this and I'm like, you know what? honestly when I scrolled through your shop and your socials and your website before this and Sometimes I have to kind of say, actually, I didn't know, I didn't see only because like they've told, they've told me on the day and I've gone, you need to be shouting about

(26:21) that because that's amazing. But I didn't know. I guess it's like finding that key message and then putting it throughout. So putting it on the stuff that you send out to customers, putting it on your Etsy site, putting it on your Insta.

(26:33) that kind of key message about what your niche is and why that's a thing. Yeah, agreed, agreed. So how different is your business from one year ago, or two years ago as the case may be, but we'll just do one. I think it's, I think it's steadier.

(26:51) So I think the sales are more consistent. I think I'm in a place of more confidence about how to drive it forward because I feel like I've got the, you know, I've got the kind of the toolkit with me, the business buddy to, you know, help me. So there is a level of kind of confidence and steadiness and robustness there, I guess. You know, my confidence in my, in my niche has grown and I'm also now starting to do some in-person events.

(27:18) And which I'd never done before. And some of that actually just came down to sheer terror of sort of this maker mindset thing of, oh my goodness, I'm going to go to these things. And I'm going to see people that I know. And that's really scary because I haven't told anybody else what I do.

(27:35) I've hidden behind the anonymity of Etsy. And that's terrifying. But actually starting to do these in-person events has been really empowering. And yes, I did see somebody that I knew.

(27:48) And they were like absolutely flabbergasted. They were like, Gemma? What are you doing? But as it turns out, this person that I bumped into at this fair, they own a gallery.

(28:00) And they were like, why have you never told us about this? And I was like, because I'm just too scared to put my face out there and kind of be judged for not being a nine to five, you know. And so now some of my stock is in their gallery. and it's selling in their gallery so just kind of having that confidence from a year ago to say this is me and this is what I do and I think it came I think had a bit of an epiphany where I realized that and I think I just

(28:32) had to kind of come to terms with it I think it's taken until I've got into my 40s to kind of come to terms with this that you know being a creative person and being a maker it's not just something that I do it's who I am um and it's just I almost like had a light bulb moment at some point during this year I think earlier this year and I thought yeah that's okay this is not a weakness this is not a weakness to say I'm I'm not somebody that can work in an office full time this is a strength I'm a creative person, I'm a maker, this is who I am. And doing that is now opening these other opportunities to me, like now having stock in a gallery.

(29:07) So that's the big change from a year ago, I think. And that's a big, big one. It's a real big, big one, because not only are you owning that, but you're also owning the I think being more visible online in your own life, in your community, like even just saying that it's a big big deal you know. When you're a business owner you feel like there's a million eyeballs on you and sometimes that can feel like an overbearing thing to have to do, but actually just going it's fine, you know, like other people are going to look up to me, other people are going to

(29:46) judge me, whether I like it or not, is an acceptance that a lot of people feel very, it is really hard. I think I've just been afraid to look and sound a bit silly, and actually a good friend of mine said to me, why are you so bothered by this? Other people are looking at you and thinking, wow I'd love to be doing what you're doing. You know whereas to me I was kind of outward looking thinking oh I just don't fit the mold and I feel not good enough and I feel silly and I feel like I don't live up to these kind of what I perceive to be careers that other people

(30:17) are having. It's just all about perception and that is just a massive a massive mindset thing isn't it? It is, it really really is. So where do you see your business a year from now?

(30:30) Okay, so from a year from now, I really need to have my socials more sorted out. Because I love creative people, I love to make stuff. I'm not necessarily a big fan of them having to get it out there and, you know, taking the photographs and things I don't love. But I've joined SMS, and so I'm going to spend more time looking at that.

(30:49) So I'm hoping that in a year's time, You know, if we have a catch up, I'm going to say, Steph, look at my socials. They're so much better than they were a year ago. And so, you know, I'm loving that because I can go in and it just it's always a starting point for me. Where am I going to start with social posts?

(31:05) So it's a great starting point just to give me some ideas and templates to get started. And that that's really helpful for me to overcome that barrier. That is something I really, really want to work on over the next year. And it might seem quite a small goal.

(31:18) But actually, I think when you're growing oak trees, you know, and things that you want to you want to grow, you know, steady and long lasting, then then doing the little things is okay. And then maybe once I've got that sorted, maybe in a year's time, I'll start to think about I have my own website. Maybe I'll come back to the course and look at all of the email stuff info and I'll learn about that. But for me, it's just kind of getting one thing down and getting one thing right at a time.

(31:47) I've got the basics in place and now I've got to use these other tools to help me grow. So that's what the next year is going to look like. I'm going to be the tortoise in the race. I'm going to be the tortoise, slow and steady.

(32:00) And while the hair's napping, I'll be at the finish line. Yeah. Well, while, while the hair is going, Oh, this, Oh, this, Oh, this, Oh, this, you're like, you know what? I'm going to do one thing.

(32:10) I'm going to do one thing right. And then I'm going to move on. Not before, after, just at the right time. Yes.

(32:17) Amazing. Amazing. Okay. So just to round, to round up then, what is one crazy but true fact about you?

(32:25) Okay. I've got quite a varied background in things so I've done all sorts of crazy things over the years but my background's actually in archaeology. I did archaeology at university, I've been on lots of fantastic digs, I still run community archaeology now so I still do that community archaeology part-time sometimes and I think I will continue to do that because it's obviously something that I love. I think that's probably where my love of the outdoors has come from.

(32:56) You can't be into archeology unless you don't mind getting wet, freezing, muddy, you know, out in all weathers, et cetera. And I think, you know, I make lots and lots of tiny little things. So all of my jewelry is quite little. I use pins a lot as my kind of main tool.

(33:11) So I think when people, I then say I do archeology and I'm kind of down a big muddy hole with a spade or whatever, People aren't going to marry up the two. It's quite a big difference. I think that sums up my personality a lot. a big difference.

(33:34) So yeah, I'm not even a closet archaeologist because I'm out there with my spade, you know, digging in people's gardens at weekends. It kind of makes sense now what you sell with that because I think you're kind of I don't want to sound cliché, but you're kind of like unearthing a jewellery piece. I don't know if that makes any sense at all, but it's like you're dusting off the dust to kind of reveal something different. I don't know whether this is making any sense.

(34:13) No, there's definitely links in there. Although, you know, on the outset, you don't think that those two things have got anything in common whatsoever. There is definitely some, a psychologist would tell me there's some sort of, you know, links in there. for sure yeah but there we go that's the other kind of that's the other the other part of my life is is digging stuff up really i mean i don't like gardening i only like digging holes if there's going to be something to be found at the bottom

(34:41) oh that's so funny um and my last question is what one piece of advice would you give to yourself a year ago Um, so I'd say in a broader sense, you know, sort the minds, the mindset stuff out. As I've said, you know, me and my kind of imposter syndrome or being worried that I'm not measuring up to people who, who, who it is their thing to sit in an office nine till five. So definitely kind of look at that. But if I had to pick out one single thing, it was something that my best friend pointed out to me a little while ago, actually.

(35:13) And she said, use that envy. So I think we think of envy and that green-eyed monster as a really negative emotion. Yeah, I think it could be a really powerful emotion. I'm not talking about, you know, the kind of levels of envy that are sort of, you know, toxic.

(35:29) I'm not going that far. But I think the kind of envy when we look at somebody else's business, or we look at somebody else's handmade business, and we think, oh, I wish my business looked like that. I wish my business was successful. I wish my Instagram looked like that.

(35:43) And she said to me, take that envy, because doesn't that tell you what you really want to do in life. Doesn't that tell you the direction you really want to go in? And I thought, do you know what? You're really right.

(35:57) So I went to this amazing, like, artisan show last year. I'd been the year before, probably been the year before that. and I was so envious of all the makers there because the standard was so high and it was incredible and I loved the atmosphere and I was really envious of all those people and so pleased for them that they're doing this amazing thing but a little bit of envy on my part.

(36:21) Well this year I did that show and I did really well at it and I was so excited and happy that I was kind of accepted into that circle of makers of people that I'd been envious of And I've kind of used that envy to tell me, well, if I'm really envious of that, that's telling me I need to be working towards that. And that's what I did this year. And then that again was, was so empowering for me.

(36:46) So yeah, you use that thing that we think is negative to help steer you forward about really, you know, not, not copying, but where it is you want to be moving forward to with your own business. So it's like proof that it can be done. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And just, you know, if somebody else can do it, you know, you can do it, too.

(37:10) I love that. That's such a good piece, piece of advice. And I think the majority of the time when I ask people, it's always like a mindset thing, which I think speaks volumes, really, because that is, I think, what we need. You know, we quite often we're standing in our own way, you know?

(37:27) Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think that's like the first first hurdle to overcome. Yeah.

(37:36) I have loved this chat. This has been so, so good and really lovely to hear about your journey. So could you plug away again? Because people are going to go, yeah, I'm going to want to have a little look at gem shop and see what's up.

(37:49) So yeah, plug away. Yeah, so if you have a look on Etsy, it's just Wild and Gem. And again, really simple on Instagram, it's at Wild and Gem. So if you want to give me a little bit of support and a little bit of love on Instagram, I would love that.

(38:03) I'm trying to kind of build up my social media journey with the help of that SMS. So hopefully, and in a year's time, that's going to be looking much stronger too. Amazing, amazing. Well, Gem, it's been lovely to chat with you.

(38:16) Thank you to you and everyone else who's watching slash listening to this. We really hope that you've enjoyed it. I know you have because it's been such a good chat. And we will see you all same time, same place next week for another episode of the How To Be A Handmade Boss show.

(38:32) Is it a show? I guess it is a show, isn't it? The Handmade Boss show. I don't even know what to call it these days.

(38:37) The podcast, YouTube, whatever. Thank you so, so much and we will see you all real soon. Bye, everyone. Bye-bye.