Of course, designing new jewelry is a great joy. But feeling connected to you is even more important to me. After all, without you and your support, where would I be?
Back in 1989, when I was a young mom living in Mill Valley California and just starting out as a jewelry designer, I was a bit clueless.
Do you know what I did?
I created a whole tray of designs that I HOPED people would buy. I really had no idea. I was pretty sure people would like cats, dogs, cows and pigs. Cow jewelry was really popular back in the 80s for some reason. So I spent a week making earrings and necklaces from colorful polymer clay.
Then I took my creations, drove to a nearby town and interrupted people at their work in beauty salons, veterinary hospitals and travel agencies (remember travel agencies?) to show them my jewelry.
I walked boldly inside each business and announced “I am a local artist and I came by to show you my jewelry designs.” Pretty gutsy!
Amazingly, no one kicked me out. And most everyone was curious enough to look at what I’d made. And many of them actually paid me money for my creations!
I was shocked!
In just a few hours, I’d earned enough money to buy groceries for my family for an entire week. I went from being a “hopeful artist” to someone who actually SOLD her work! I was thrilled. And I was hooked.
After selling door to door for a while, I began doing art shows. This photo shows Ed and me in our very first booth in our very first art show…southern California in 1990. Not a very professional looking booth, is it? LOL! I actually wrote the sign by hand, and made a couple of big parrots out of cardboard to (hopefully) attract customers.
But starting in those early years, I always listened to what my customers wanted me to make. There were many surprises, like requests for guinea pigs, snakes and chameleons. I was challenged, and I was learning.
My customers have always been my friends. I’ve never lost sight of how important you are to me and how I could never do what I do without you. So thank you, my dear friends for all your support and help.
Whether you are a new customer or someone who has been collecting Magic Zoo designs for years, I am extremely grateful to you. And please know that you can always call, text or email me for any reason whatsoever. I love hearing from you, and will always reply to you personally.
With much gratitude,
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry
I love that picture of you and Ed! What a great article explaining how you got started. You are a brilliant artist. I love that you never stop creating!
Laura, my friend! So nice to see you commenting here. It really seems like yesterday when Ed and I did that show. Thank you so much for your kind words, and I’m so happy you are writing like mad!
Hola Merry!!! I am Nancy from Venezuela!!
Your blog is great, and I love your history!!The picture of the first art bazar reminds me of the NAVC conventions, were we met almost every year for at least 8 to 10 times. Was the first booth I visit every time, not only to admire your incredible animal jewelry, from witch I still use almost daily, but to spend time chatting with you and Ed.
Your pieces remind me of you every day.
Thank you for your kindness. Good to hear that you are with your son and his family, and still active as an artist.
Hola, Nancy! So very, very good to hear from you. How are you doing? Please email me sometime so we can chat a bit more. You can contact me directly through my website. And yes, I am definitely still active as an artist. It’s what I’ve done almost my entire life!
Wow Merry! What a great blog!! You are an inspiration!! Thanks for the blog and KUDOS to you for the success!!
Thank you, my friend!
Hi Merry,
I love hearing how you got started. And the photo is great! You are so creative and so special!!
Cheri
Thank you, Cheri!
Merry – So nice to hear how you started. I have purchased so many things from art fairs. It is so nice to see all of the creativity of artists. Living in Michigan our outdoor art fairs are limited to the summer months. We missed so much the summer of 2020 due to Covid restrictions. What is so awesome is that many of the art fairs are near the Great Lakes so in addition to the art, we get to visit the beautiful Michigan lakeshore.
Wishing you a wonderful and creative 2021!!
Hi Janet, thanks so much! We did shows in Michigan, and loved them so much. Especially in Ann Arbor. But it’s been a few years! You in a beautiful place.
Thank you, Janet. Yes, those Michigan shows were a lot of fun. We did some in Ann Arbor years ago.
Loved this story and the photo of you and Ed.
Thanks, Nancy. It is the cliff notes version, for sure.
Thanks for sharing this! Good to see the picture, too!
Thank you, Gail!
Hi Merry,
Lovely to read how all the Magic began, and continues to this day.
I also want you to know that I commiserate with you on the loss of your beloved Ed, and I regret not having mailed you this earlier.
I promised you, ages ago a photo of me, a donkey and your donkey earrings: I still have not been able to fulfil that promise: not a friendly donkey in sight until now, due to the fact that we have had to stay in our own municipality for weeks and weeks.
As soon as we are once more allowed to travel around, (and can hopefully even travel to the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK) I will try to have a nice picture made.
Love and all the best,
Christy Cornelisse- Cauwels
Christy, it is so nice to hear from you! And thank you for your kind words about the loss of my husband. It has been tough, but The Magic Zoo has become even more of a blessing to me now. It keeps me busy, and it keeps me focused. I understand about the donkey photo. When you get to it, that will be a good sign that things are more back to normal! Warm Wishes, Merry
What a treat to hear this story of how you began! I admire you and your art so much!
Oh, thank you so much, Jonni! I admire you so much as well.