Hello everyone, here is the interview that I’ve been meaning to post for WEEKS, that keeps getting interrupted by work and school and work and shows and life and whatnot — with many apologies to Susan for putting her on hold, here she is at last!

Susan W. Saltzman is the amazing artist/ designer behind SToNZ, where she makes beach stone and glass jewelry. Her jewelry a gorgeous blend of natural beauty and technical skill, and thanks to her graphic design background, there is a wonderful precision to her branding and a stunning crispness to her photography. Her work has been a favorite of mine since I met her.? I am proud to own one of her necklaces, and even luckier to call her a friend. You can find her work at http://www.stonz.etsy.com

1. Tell a little about your business – what do you make, how long have you been in business, and what do you love most about it?

SToNZ is my line of handmade sterling silver jewelry, featuring beach stones, sea glass and freshwater pearls. Being an artist all of my life, I have studied a wide variety of artistic media (including metalsmithing, many moons ago). While earning my graphic design degree from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design, I was hired as an in-house illustrator at a major greeting card company. Upon the birth of my kids, I decided to begin a home-based freelance design studio. After spending more than a decade as an illustrator and graphic designer for a diverse range of corporate clients, non-profits and community organizations, my longstanding love for wearing and working with natural materials and silver drew me back to the jeweler’s bench.

Living near beautiful Lake Erie is a huge inspiration to me. I love to walk the beach and gather stone and glass specimens washed smooth by years of natural tumbling. In August of 2007, I discovered Etsy and realized that it would be a great venue for me to market my new creations and SToNZ was born!

It?s difficult to say what I love the MOST about my SToNZ business. I revel in the beachcombing, of course, but I also love sorting through my finds and designing a new piece of wearable art that best features the unique beauty of that particular piece of glass or stone. I love finishing a piece, and marveling at how it can end up entirely different than the way I originally envisioned. It’s such a thrill to see SToNZ being worn and hearing about how it “speaks” to the wearer. Something about this organic jewelry draws the most amazingly wonderful people. So, I have to say, I also have loved meeting many of the special people who appreciate SToNZ this jewelry really does draw interesting people into my life. Sometimes it is difficult to part with a piece of SToNZ once completed, but when it finally goes to a person who truly loves it, it?s clear ?that it wasn?t meant to stay with me. The feedback I get is truly gratifying and reaffirming.

2. How does it differ from your day job?

SToNZ actually IS half of my “day job”. I alternate my time between the jewelry stuff and the freelance graphics stuff, from my studio, which is set up for both! I guess I get bored doing one thing for too long, so sometimes I work at the jewelry bench, and sometimes at the computer each one giving me a break from the other. Both endeavors are creative, but they seem to use different parts of my brain.

3. Identity is often closely linked to what we do professionally. How do you identify yourself, and does it relate more to your business/ artisan side, or your day job?

I used to say I was an illustrator, then, a freelance graphic designer, then, a jewelry designer. I think I’ll go with artist. Happy artist. I love to make things and always will. How fortunate I am to be able to do these things that give me fulfillment. And many of these things make others happy too, so that’s even better!

4. Give one tip that has been invaluable for your work.

One thing I really valued in art school and in the workplace was being surrounded by inspiring creative people with whom I could share ideas and feedback. As an artist, it’s very easy to get caught up in my work and cut off from the world. I won’t say it’s lonely, because I really don’t mind working on my own for long periods of time, (most of the time I actually prefer it) but it’s easy to isolate oneself. Etsy, as one example, is a great way to connect with like-minded artists. I take classes. I seek advice and feedback from a variety of sources. It’s rejuvenating and educational.

My advice? Seek out people with whom you can share ideas and learn from. Chances are they have something to learn from you as well, and you’ll both come out ahead! I suppose that’s good advice for everyone, not just “artists”.

5. Any additional words of wisdom you’d like to share?

Do what you love, love what you do. Create something new every day. And thanks Chris, for your interest in SToNZ and for the inspiration and creative energy you have shared with me!

?Balancing Act? is a series focusing on the amazing people who run a successful business while working full-time, and somehow still manage to eat and sleep occasionally.

Tricia McKellar is an accomplished photographer and collage artist with two amazing shops, and a stunning website.? Her images range from gorgeous, soft scenes of birds and nature to richly layered compositions that are a wonderful blend of mechanical and natural.? If you look closely enough, you can sense the technical side of her brain in her digital collage.? On top of that she is just a darn nice person, and I learned that she also has a teenage daughter (as do I).? So when I say she is one amazing balancing act, I mean it, and then some!? Without further ado:

1.Tell a little about your business ? what do you make/ sell, how long have you been in business, and what do you love most about it?

Wanderlust

I’m a mixed media artist & photographer. For the past couple of years, I’ve focused mainly on my photography. I love trying to open my mind to new ideas. After a day of shooting, I look at possibly 100′s of my new shots on my computer.? I winnow them down and delete many of the images. Sometimes my first impression is that an image is junk, but then something causes me to look again, and sometimes that image turns into one of my favorites. After all this time, I don’t have a formula for an interesting photograph– I think that’s what I love most– the
daily discovery.

2. How does it differ from your day job (creativity, skill, autonomy)?

My day job is as a database administrator. So I sit in front of a computer a lot. Getting out with the camera, driving around? looking for birds on telephone lines and lovely landscapes, is heaven.

Botanical Lily No. 7761

3. What has been the most challenging part of juggling a business, day job, and family? How have you gotten through the difficult parts?

It is tough to juggle it all. My only child is 19 and in college, so I
have a lot more time and freedom now to devote to my art making and business. My advice for those with younger children is to do what you can with the art, but cherish the time with your children– they grow up so fast!

4. Identity is often closely linked to what we do professionally. How do you identify yourself, and does it relate more to your business/ artisan side, or your day job?

I don’t really feel the divide. I love the art, the IT work, the
business of being an artist. I think we need a variety of interests
and skills to keep our brains fresh and curious. I just wish I had
more time or enjoyed napping on the couch a little less :)

5. Give one organizational or business tip (or product) that has been invaluable.

Hmmm. This is a tough one– I have so many ideas and questions about indie businesses.? I think there are two key ideas for success with a creative business: make what you love and know where you want to go.

Make what you love and people will respond. Maybe a million people won’t like it, but do you need a million buyers? Maybe you only need a few hundred or thousand fanatical buyers for success.

What do you want in your future? Where do you want to be in two years, five years, ten years? Knowing your heart-felt desires will make decisions along the way much easier (for example, should you wholesale? should you make pendants of your art? should you start screenprinting tea towels? should you start photographing weddings?).

6. Some people use a side business as a way to slowly change gears from employee to business owner. In the future, do you ever see yourself transitioning to full-time entrepreneur? If so, what would ultimately help you ultimately make that leap? If not, what benefits do you enjoy with your current situation?

Yes!!! I would like to work myself eventually.

With a daughter in college and a fabulous day job, I think it may be
several years before I take the leap. In the meantime, I’m working on developing my craft and becoming the best photographer I can be. Also, as an artist, it’s very nice to have the day job income and not worry too much if my photography is selling. I can develop my work without the stress of needing to sell my art to pay bills.

I’m also using this time to develop the skills I need as an entrepreneur. I’m currently focusing on indie business marketing and plan to make a study of copywriting soon.

I’m also thinking about developing multiple streams of income. What kinds of businesses would dovetail with my photography business? What kinds of businesses could I maintain while touring the country in a big RV,? photographing lovely landscapes? :)

Formula No. 6

I have a *very* new project that I am really excited to tell you about. I’ve started a blog dedicated to living the creative life and building an indie business: http://www.wonderthinking.com It’s *very* new, but I’m excited to get started– this is an idea that has been bumping around in my brain for a couple of years. I’d love for folks to visit and leave me comments, tell me what to write about :)

Thank you for your amazing work, and your insights Tricia!? Best of luck to you!

?Balancing Act? is a series focusing on the amazing people who run a successful business while working full-time, and somehow still manage to sleep and eat occasionally.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing the incredible Dana Osborne-Biggs of Urban Heirlooms.? I fell in love with her work several years ago when I first started selling online.? I’ll confess: I’ve never been a “purse” kinda girl.? I’ve tried, but can’t manage to carry one for more than an afternoon before I put it down and forget it ever existed.? Since the whole point of them is to not lose things, well… it just wasn’t meant to be.? I pretty much used the “pocket” method, imperfect as it was, until I came across her gorgeous leather and antique key wallets.? Now THAT was simply perfect.? Didn’t feel frilly or girly, didn’t look like a suitcase, and fit neatly into a jacket pocket so I would never lose it.? (Three years later, still love it : ) )? When it came in the mail, I remember being blown away by the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful packaging.? It left such an impression on me, and made me take a very thorough look at the details of my own business.? I wanted my customers to experience that same level of quality and attention.? It is my pleasure to share this interview with all of you!

1. Tell a little about your business — what do you make/ sell, how long have you been in business, and what do you love most about it?

I design and make artisan handbags, leather accessories, and jewelry featuring antique skeleton keys and vintage fabrics and embellishments. My signature item is the skeleton key wallet utilizing an antique key as a closure. I first began selling online in January 2006 on Etsy.com.

What I love most is the anticipation of running home from work, turning the lights and radio on in my studio and sitting behind my sewing machine or standing at my work table and playing with all the materials I?ve amassed. I have so much cool stuff in there, sometimes I fear it will never make it to market.

I?m a huge proponent of repurposing. I?m that type of person who is always looking for something new to make from something old, one who looks at a vintage crochet-edged bed skirt and imagines the lace on the hem of a linen pajama pant, or I might see a big old carved metal belt buckle and I?m convinced it would be better appreciated on a leather clutch. I love that no one is telling me what to make, and if I believe in a design, I can put it out there and sell it; I?m not dictated to by anyone?s taste or imagination but mine. It?s mostly like play!

2. How does it differ from your day job (creativity, skill, autonomy)?

As a graphic artist in the intimate apparel industry, my day job consists of technical drawing and creating presentations from a line someone else has designed?everything is done on the computer. The closest I get to actual design is if I?m asked to design a print for the line, but I am finding that lately there is less and less time for the imagination that requires, so much of what I do on a daily basis can begin to feel mechanical , even robotic.

When I work in my studio, however, I have so much more enthusiasm and belief in what I?m doing. I have total control over the quality of my product because I?m making it myself and I have a vision of what it should be and what mood it should evoke, and I have high standards. I feel most like myself in the studio because I?m 100% engrossed in what I?m doing; I?m interacting with my customers, smelling the aroma of leather, oiling up my sewing machine, poking myself with pins (!) there?s no desire to zone out; I feel so much more present, in my true element and I totally want to be there. I can directly see the fruits of my hard labor and how it impacts my life and gives it added meaning.

3. What has been the most challenging part of juggling a business, day job, and family? How have you gotten through the difficult parts?

The most challenging part has been the juggling! I can actually juggle 3 balls in the air– I learned that in Jr. High School from a guy who worked at an amusement park– but it?s much harder juggling tasks. I know I don?t get as much sleep as my body requires, but it?s one of the sacrifices I make in order to get my creative time in.

I have a husband who would like me to spend more time on the couch watching TV with him and who is always asking when I?m coming to bed. Then there?s the dog who wants to play when I least feel like it. I give as much as I can but I do still feel some guilt. I just have to constantly remind myself that I am important too, and what I?m doing gives my life purpose and delight?it?s what I was meant to do, so I have to pay respect to that as well.

Much of the appeal of being a graphic artist is that my day job stops when I leave the office; I don?t bring that stuff home with me. Nobody?s calling me on the weekend to share their ideas about the line plan or interrupting family time with urgent e-mails. That means I can fully enjoy my time at home and focus on my craft.

Sometimes, though, my business gets so busy I can?t see straight and I have to put the brakes on; I?ll decide that I have to get more than 5 hours of sleep that night or I?ll ruin what I?m working on or sew my fingers together under the sewing machine, so I might have to make a profuse apology to my customer and let them know their order will take an extra day or two before I can ship it. I always do my best, however, to make sure that they find it was well worth the wait.

4. Identity is often closely linked to what we do professionally. How do you identify yourself, and does it relate more to your business/ artisan side, or your day job?

Artist, daydreamer, industrious, brainstorming, inventive and resourceful concept person ?that?s how I envision myself. Don?t ask me to help you come up with a name for your product or ask how you can make something appeal to a particular audience. If it appeals to me, I?ll go into a trance and won?t come out until I have an answer for you! Or two or three approaches. I just really like brainstorming and birthing creative ideas. It revs my up my brain.

At work, I?ve become known as the person in my department whom people seek out when they need a clever name for a new product line or trend presentation, or they?ll come to me to help them compose letters?they want to know if it sounds alright to me. That?s flattering; it makes me smile to know they see me that way?as a person of concepts and words.

5. Give one organizational or business tip (or product) that has been invaluable.

Communication. Prompt communication. Shopping online can be a little unnerving if you?re not buying from a widely-recognized retailer; I totally understand that because I buy online a lot. So, when someone purchases from me, I like to send a confirmation notice to let them know I got the order and when they can expect it to ship. Then once it ships, I let them know that as well.

This is especially crucial with custom orders for higher-priced items that may take a matter of weeks to complete, depending on my production schedule. Nobody wants to think their hard-earned money has disappeared into the abyss! Recently, I?ve started acknowledging that concern with my customers and invite them to stop by and say ?hey!? if they get a little antsy while waiting for their order to be completed. One customer did just that recently and it made me chuckle; she was being human, and she was paying attention. That made my day.

6. Some people use a side business as a way to slowly change gears from employee to business owner. In the future, do you ever see yourself transitioning to full-time entrepreneur? If so, what would help you ultimately make that leap? If not, what benefits do you enjoy with your current situation?

I dream of that transition to full-time entrepreneur every day. With the economy in such a precarious state, and having been spoiled by a salaried position most of my life, I have to admit that the idea of taking such a risk can be frightful, but I have to ask myself, if not now, when? I make a point of reading positive stories of people who?ve taken that step and it makes it seem more doable every time; it helps to override all the negativity.

Getting someone to help with production would probably put me in a better position to make that leap to full-time entrepreneurship. I don?t ever kid myself into thinking ?I?m Every Woman? and can do it all; I know my limitations and have had to succumb to them every holiday season I?ve been selling on Etsy!

7. Any additional words of wisdom you?d like to share?

Don?t despise small beginnings. Put yourself ?and keep yourself– on your list of priorities; you?re important too. And, “don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Dolly Parton said that!

Thanks so much Dana for your wonderful work, and for sharing with us!

……………….C.

?Balancing Act? is a series focusing on the amazing people who run a successful business while working full-time, and somehow still manage to sleep and eat occasionally.

Today’s episode features the amazing zJayne!? Not only does Jane make wonderful artistic jewelry and have a huge array of assorted upcycled functional products, but she is a marketing master.? She is featured in like a zillion books and magazines, and I can no longer go through a checkout line without her “Paper or plastic?? How about neither!” slogan jingling through my head.? I have admired her from afar for several years (ironic that we live only 30 minutes apart), and am thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her (and find out that she has a quote box too!? How cool is that?)

1.Tell a little about your business ? what do you make/ sell, how long have you been in business, and what do you love most about it?

In a nutshell, my business is focused around upcycling and recycling. I like to think I am helping to ?make? a difference by creatively designing functional items that others may want, need, must have, and appreciate. I began online with my altered art heirlooms and ACEO collectible art cards. This business has evolved, and of late, recycling every morsel of material from tShirts and creating new products that are eco friendly, sustainable and not making it to landfills anytime soon, has been keeping us busy in our evening hours.

2. How does it differ from your day job (creativity, skill, autonomy)?

My day job involves administration, human resources, and a rather newly assigned area of helping to create recycling awareness opportunities in the growing community where I work.

I read something once about the best ideas come from newbies and not long time knowledge in a field. I think it was worded much more inspiring than I just stated, but the point of it helps me in my day job. I realize from my own successful recycling endeavors, that you can look at something differently to find a solution for an existing situation. Day jobs can be like that, so used to doing a job one way that finding a way to do it better is not looked into.

So, simply put, my day job does differ from my business, yet what I?m learning about myself and creating does me well in my day job.

3. What has been the most challenging part of juggling a business, day job, and family? How have you gotten through the difficult parts?

In some ways I have been lucky that what I find to be the most difficult ? having a personal life ? is made somewhat easier because my significant other, a.k.a. ?shipping department?, ?and Co.? and ?beach glass by DET?, has played an important role in the zJayne product line. Dan (real name used) enjoys a good buy, in fact, little known to anyone, I was introduced to my first thrift store with Dan. Yes yes, a thrift store virgin I was. . . and with wild abandon I?ve become a connoisseur of thrifts throughout Ohio and, yes, when we travel.

What gets us through the difficult parts is a much needed sense of humor. If you?re juggling work and your own business, a family (and all that comes with blending them), and a personal loving relationship, heck, both of you have to have something in common and for us being able to see the oddity of it all with humor helps tremendously.

4. Our identity is often closely linked to what we do professionally. How do you identify yourself, and does it relate more to your business/ artisan side, or your day job?

I see a link professionally with my artistic side. Both are people-oriented; finding ways for management and employees (creative recycling and consumers) to work together. If a customer is happy, they?ll be back. When an employee is happy, they stay.

I have benefited from letting go (okay, I still work on this) of my preconceived notions of what others may think of my art, designs, quirky ideas and do my best to remember that if I like it, need it, laugh at it, am moved by it, then someone else is likely to see it fitting in their life as well.

5. Give one organizational or business tip (or product) that has been invaluable.

Inventory is necessary, you have to have it. If you?re going to believe you have a viable product, you have to have access to making it when multiple orders come in.

Walk away from thinking you can do it all. Something suffers when I try to do it all. So do what you can for the day and then walk away from it.

Vacation(s). Priceless. There are no excuses for not refueling your creative spirit.

6. Some people use a side business as a way to slowly change gears from employee to business owner. In the future, do you ever see yourself transitioning to full-time entrepreneur? If so, what would ultimately help you ultimately make that leap? If not, what benefits do you enjoy with your current situation?

Something certain that I have learned about myself from this side business is that I have talents that will take me into retirement. I might leap, but am careful not to jump. To make that leap . . . that?s a thinker. Right now I am happy to pay attention to the ?signs? and ?coincidences? and living in the present. I am open to advice and learning from what others have experienced.

7. Anything that came up while you were answering these questions that you?d like to share?

Yes, I noticed that I own and listen to three versions for the song ?Crazy?, one by Shawn Colvin, Gnarls Barkley and another by Alice Russell.

8. Any additional words of wisdom you’d like to share?

Keep a happy box and fill it with words of wisdom that hit you at the moment you hear them. Jot them down on torn paper, and drop them in. Then, when you are asked for ?words of wisdom? or need a ?pick me up?? take a peek and see what you thought was important when you wrote it down.

Here?s a few I just pulled:

?Do what you gotta do, so you can do what you want to do.?
-Denzel Washington? (I think this was from his father to him)

“Learn to give from the overflow ? not from the cup ? don?t deplete the cup.”

“The fifties are everything you?ve been meaning to be.”

“What if the mightiest word is Love.”

Jane, thanks so much for sharing!? You can find zJayne at www.zJayne.etsy.com