I’m absolutely thrilled to have been accepted as an Associate Member of MAKE Southwest. It’s a milestone that means a great deal to me, and one that took a little while to sink in!
Putting my work forward meant stepping outside my comfort zone. When you make something by hand, you put so much of yourself into it that sharing it for assessment can feel quite daunting. There’s always that little voice asking, “Am I ready?”
But I’m learning that you don’t have to feel completely ready to try.
Experimentation is such an important part of my jewellery making. An idea doesn’t always work, a technique takes practice, or a finished piece turns out differently from the picture in my head. Those moments can be frustrating, but they also teach me things I wouldn’t discover by sticking to what I already know. Failure belongs in that process too.
I’m glad I took a chance and sent in my application. If you’re considering something similar, I’d encourage you to try. Even if the answer is “not yet”, there may be useful feedback and guidance to help you move forward. And if the answer is yes, you can celebrate that achievement while continuing to learn, experiment and find your way.
That’s what I’m looking forward to now: growing as a maker, exploring new ideas and seeing where my love of the coast, traditional techniques and curious little ocean details takes me next.
Thank you to MAKE Southwest for welcoming me, and to everyone who has supported my making so far.
Charlotte x
