Today I'm so pleased to bring you another installment of our do what you love series, featuring one of the first jewelry designers whose work I ever truly fell in love with, Abigail Percy. She creates her mind-bogglingly stunning creations out of her home in Glasgow, Scotland and has been successfully living off her creativity and talent for almost 4 years now. Let's read a little more about how she got started and how she makes it all work, shall we?
What do you do for a living?
I am a Designer Jeweller, and so I make and sell my jewellery, in addition to some prints and drawings on occasion too...
How long have you been self-employed? What made you decide to take the leap?
I have been self-employed for just shy of 4 years now. I decided to take the leap straight out of art school, after graduating, because I wanted to get stuck straight in and knew that if I got used to the security of a job, it would be a much harder leap to take later on in my 20's, 30's etc...I had also made some money at my degree show from sales and awards, so I could invest in some equipment to help get the workshop established.
Do you work from home or have a studio/office elsewhere?
I work from home...great commuting times ;)
Do you have a partner or assistant, or are you going it solo?
I am going solo for the moment, though I had an intern with me last summer for a month which was great. Help is always welcome though, so I am working on that! Help in a creative business can often times be someone to bounce ideas off and talk things through with - knowing support is there, so I am very lucky and well equipped in that department! ;)
How do you organize your days? At what part of the day are you most productive?
I try to be quite organic with my daily work schedule...I tend to sleep quite late, and like to take my time in the morning to answer emails, deal with mail and just relax a little. I prefer not to head to the bench before around 12.30 or so...but if I am especially busy, this all changes - so I do remain flexible and it really does change throughout the year!
I usually put in a solid 5 hours minimum at the bench most days...and make a trip to the post office to break that up {usually right before it closes in a mad-dash!} often doing some more work again in the evenings. I usually blog then, too - using some shots I have taken throughout the day - either in the workshop or my home, or whilst out for the walk to the P/O...
I am most productive at night, especially with getting things organised and planned, or doing any design work. I like the quiet darkness brings - so I am often up till 3am working ....hence the long lies and late starts! ;) I am trying to keep to a more sociable schedule these days though...not working {physically} beyond 8 or 9...some emails do still sneak through though!
How do you keep procrastination and distraction in check, and stay motivated to get things done?
I really have no real idea! I am quite a procrastinator by nature actually...but I luckily do best under pressure, so the two seem to work together well. If I *need* to get motivated though - I like to have a quick tidy up and clear the decks, get everything laid out and organised and just work until it's done. Fuelled by cup after cup of strong Assam tea. Music helps me greatly too...upbeat for getting going, and something more soothing if I am making something especially tricky!
Actually, now I think of it...taking some time off really helps, if you can. Take a walk, or give yourself permission to do nothing for an afternoon or even a whole day - head out with your camera and get inspired! Trust what your body and brain are telling you...if you need some time off, take it! Always works a treat for me :)
How many hours do you put in per day? Do you work on the weekends?
This very much depends on the time of year for me. At Christmas, I can easily be working 18 hour days for over a month straight...and through the summer, I may be much quieter. On average though, including computer time, I would say I put in 8+ hours most days. I work on weekends if and when I have to - but I have started to try and take them off these days, as a bit of balance is nice! I have always said, that as someone visual, I feel like I am working from the moment I open my eyes in the morning...so perhaps we are permanently working as creative people?!
How do you handle a non-steady income?
By being very careful with my spending, and just taking what I literally *need* as a salary {rent, bills, food, etc} - then I can more carefully judge if I need to buy something more expensive or treat myself. Never knowing for sure that you are going to make X amount in a month can be worrying, but it can also be a great challenge about living creatively and also being adept in finding ways to make some extra spends if needs-be! Thinking outside the box can be a great thing...
What do you think is the most difficult part about being your own boss?
The money side of things can be difficult, but the hardest thing by far is dealing with being ill. If you work for yourself and literally craft what you sell by hand you have no-one to do the work if you are unwell yourself - and if you can't work, you don't get sick-pay either! It can be very difficult...I know a lot of people who find this a worry, and, having had a bad Winter myself illness wise, I know this is tough!
And the best part?
The freedom. I truly love my sleep, so hand on heart...not having to get up at 7am every day is THE best part of my job. I appreciate this might be the most pathetic answer ever...but, it is the truth and I thank my lucky stars daily for this! ;))
How do you reward yourself for a job well done and keep yourself from getting too burnt out?
I would probably take some time off. See some friends and family, go out for coffee or a nice meal...cook some food for people I care about...just chill out. That is a great reward for me.
Would you say you're making a living doing what you love?
I would say I am making a living doing what I'm good at.
I've always felt that because creative people normally start out with art and design as a 'hobby' when they are younger...it automatically gets treated as vocational territory when they make it their profession. I think it can be similar to someone who is fantastic at Maths becoming an accountant....I see what I do as who I am. Sometimes I adore it, sometimes I am less enamored of it...I think this is healthy for me - it keeps me on my toes, makes me reassess regularly and I do treat work as work, which again, for me, is a good ethos to have when running a business.
What is one nugget of wisdom you can pass on to someone who is desperately seeking to get out of the 9-5 grind and follow in your footsteps?
Get online! Without a doubt, beginning my blog and selling direct online was the turning point for me and my business...I would not be running a successful wee venture without it. Putting yourself out there is one of the most powerful things you can do. Also, make what you believe in and be true to yourself. Try and be unique and original with what you make...do not follow.
Learn more about Abigail and see (and shop for) all of her stunning work here:
blog :: shop :: etsy shop :: flickr
>> you may also like: Do What You Love: An interview with Karin Eriksson
