Some days, running Nancy Davis Studio means making jewelry, engraving crystal, or experimenting with a new design.
Other days, it looks like this: an iPad, a notebook, a stack of questions, and a seat at the patio table.
The setting is peaceful. The paperwork? A little less so.
When the company that operates The Citadel Bookstore sent me its vendor paperwork, I was excited. And then a bit overwhelmed. There were forms to complete, terms to understand, and requirements that were entirely new to me.
I’m comfortable with the creative work. Give me a ring to design or a piece of crystal to engrave, and I’m ready to get started. Give me a spreadsheet asking for barcodes, shipping details, and wholesale terms, and I may need a minute.
Or several.
Growing Means Learning
I’ve been self-employed for more than 26 years, but there is still plenty to learn about growing an art and jewelry business. Making a piece is one part of the process. Preparing it for a retail store introduces a whole new set of details.
Behind every product photograph are decisions about materials, pricing, packaging, and how long it will take to make. Behind a wholesale opportunity are conversations, forms, and the work of making sure I can deliver what I promise.
That work doesn’t usually make it into the pretty pictures. But it matters just as much.
Right now, I’m working through the steps to become a vendor for The Citadel Bookstore. It’s an exciting opportunity for Nancy Davis Studio, and one I’m taking seriously.
A Personal Connection
The Citadel has a personal place in my life: my husband, Art, is a graduate of the Class of 1980.
That connection is part of what makes creating Citadel-inspired pieces so meaningful to me. A familiar landmark, a class year, or a school emblem can carry memories that go far beyond the object itself.
The possibility of bringing my work into the bookstore makes all those hours of designing, making, and figuring things out feel especially worthwhile.
One Step at a Time
So, for a little while, the patio became my office. The creative tools waited while I worked through the business side of things.
There is something satisfying about that, too. Each answered question and completed form moves this little studio forward.
Thank you for being part of it. Whether you’ve purchased a piece, shared a post, or simply followed along, your support helps make these next steps possible.
More from the studio soon. First, a little more paperwork.
—Nancy
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