I have a small boutique on Shenkin Street. I make jewelry, meet customers, arrange the displays, and try to work out how to keep this little business growing. Some days I feel happy with what I’m building. Other days I go home wondering whether I’m doing enough.
It’s hard to leave those thoughts at the shop when so much of what’s inside it came from me.
Sometimes I wish I could spend a whole day making something, without thinking about what needs to be photographed, paid for, or sold. I love creating. Running a business asks other things of me too, and I’m still finding my way with that.
When I look at Elaine in her two sizes, I recognise something of myself. There are days when I want to be seen, to wear the larger one. And days when the smaller one feels right, when I want something quieter close to me.
Both feel like me.
Each Elaine is made by hand, each a little different. I like having room for that in my work. Maybe I’m trying to leave a little room for it in myself too.
Tali