Update: January 2023 now, and Spiderchain is back on the front burner! This time I’m taking a hard focus on marketing and business-type stuff (not my native language!) and I’m hopeful about the future in my little corner of the chainmail world.
The Good
I really love what I’ve created with Spiderchain. I’m proud of the quality of my products and I think I’ve added to knowledge in the chainmail world in a significant way. It’s been a long, wonderful journey and I hope there will be many chapters yet to come. As long as I’m able to keep Spiderchain going I absolutely will.
The Bad
Unfortunately, Spiderchain isn’t exactly profitable. It pays for itself, but that’s about all. That wasn’t a problem for a long time, but details of my life have changed and I now need to be financially self-sufficient. Much as I love Spiderchain, I need to focus elsewhere.
The Ugly
I’ve been in grad school for a bit over a year and my customer support has really taken a hit. At first I had fantasies of being able to add more obligations, yet somehow continue to do just as much for Spiderchain. Alas, no. It’s time to make official what’s been true for a while: I am only doing “Spiderchain stuff” on Fridays. Happily, my super-mega-awesome helper Katarina is still with me, so we’re able to (nearly always) get all the orders out each week. Sadly, the emails/voicemails/questions that accumulate Saturday-Thursday are not typically cleared out each week.
The Future
Spiderchain will continue. It’s just on the back burner for now. I truly wish I could devote five days a week to it, but that will have to wait until I perfect my Spider-duplicator and have a couple clones to spare!
You are my idol!!! I am now 82 years old and getting ready to cut some 16 gauge jump rings because my fingers no longer like 18 gauge. I have peeked at your web site occasionally and just read your notes. I recently found a copy of one of your CD’s that you had put a note on telling my jewelry buddies to “return this to Ann Lacava at Pure Silver Studio” and you had signed it. You are a treasure in my life. What are you studying in grad school? I’ve lost track of your life, trying to live mine. At the time I was most active with my jewelry, I was also the thesis/dissertation consultant at The University of Tennessee Graduate School. I am proud to have had you in my life and cherish all I learned from you. Just keep on keeping on . . . After all these years, the Playday that originated at my studio is STILL going on. We assemble the second Monday of each and every month, without fail. What a wonderful life it has been–with NO end in sight . . .
Omigosh! Huge warm fuzzies!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Customers/students like you are exactly the reason that Spiderchain has been such a wonderful part of my life, and why I’m going to keep it going forever and ever (if at all possible). I’m in a counseling psychology master’s program, and plan to eventually become a LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). I wouldn’t have predicted this path a decade ago, but it’s really satisfying and feels completely right.
Say hello from me at your next Monday Playday!
*grin*wave*
Spider I have forgotten my email address! I am now aging and in my 70’s with an initial onset of Alzheimers. I wanted to be able to continue with my chainmail and being able to order my supplies from you. But somehow I cannot remember my email address.
Hi Jacqualine!
I found you in my customer list, and I’d be happy to tell you by phone the email that you used for your last order. (I don’t want to just type it here, because then you might end up getting more junk emails.) But you don’t actually need an email address to place an order. So long as your shipping address is correct, your rings will reach you.
I’m in my studio for most of the day on Fridays if you’d like to call me. (510)368-0646
Happy chainmailling!
You have always been my inspiration for loving the art and wanting to bring it to others and share the love for this beautiful art. Hoping you will continue for many years to come – you have my dream job >D:<
Glad to see you are still in business. Life is what happens when you make other plans. I was there too..
I ordered some kits from you years ago and I’m looking for another.
Good Luck in school…