That time a friend helped me jump off the ledge! Landing my first client.

I wasn’t ready... I really wasn’t. Yes, I’d been building... I had a couple of pieces under my belt that I would share on social media and everyone was super supportive. But really they were pieces I liked! I wasn't answering to anyone when I built or designed them. Yes and even some of those super supportive folks responded with “can you make something for me” but it was like those passing conversations “we should get lunch some time” but never did it. 

One of those idealistic conversations was with a good friend, Crystal Marie. And boy did I think she was kidding. She said she thought it would be a great idea for me to give a modern touch to an antique coffee table passed down from a relative but again months passed and nothing came of it. I certainly didn't bring it up. Until... the day I dropped by to pick up an leftover entertainment center from her recent move. She was moving in with her then boyfriend, now husband (shoutout CM and Ski). It was a sturdy piece that I thought had good bones for something fun and while there with my truck and muscle (thanks Joe) that's when she hit me with ... "are you ready for my table too, since you’re here?” "Uh uhhh, yeaaa" were the words that left my mouth and inside all I could hear was “oh shit”.

But that’s the point, when are you ever ready?  When are you ready to make that leap that puts you into foreign territory. All the doubts arise: should I be responsible, can I make something that she'll love? This was all fun and games about a week ago. 

However, amazing advice I heard once popped into my head: "there is nothing that will cure your fear faster than taking action, action is the antidote to fear". That couldn't be more true. So I grabbed it and on I went. 

And when you do, when you do step outside of that comfort zone, something really amazing can come from it. Like discovering a new skill, finding confidence where you didn't think you deserved it, finding a new career path, scratching that artisan itch or a just really cool table!

What was unique about this project, besides the fact that someone else was paying me to play with power tools, was this was the first time I had to consider someone else. Actually TWO someone elses. Going from selfish & feminine in my creative motivations to creating for a COUPLE. So I had to think outside of the style I like for my home! What would feel like a perfect blend of her and his taste? 

While I was there grabbing the pieces, I took pictures of their place. Luckily they were pretty moved in, so I was able to see the mixtures of wood and bold colors and they're couple style. It told me they'd be down for a unique piece. I took to Pinterest and pulled from my career Advertising knowledge. I pulled together a mood board with three different directions. My Ad folks know three is the magic number, it gives the client enough variety for you to get a feel for what they do or don't like without overwhelming them with options. And let me be clear, my mood board wasn't a fancy Photoshop work of art. It was a Powerpoint with images I clipped from the web and walked her through. 

Once I said I was in, I was committed. I set up a call with CM and walked her through my vision. She gave me her thoughts and then just told me... do what you you do LOL. Not helpful for an indecisive new artist but then again all the freedom I needed to explore my artistry. 

I found some unique wooden art installations and decided to do a fun chevron pattern wood art piece of my own. You can't go wrong with Chevron, its such a fun pattern. However, this meant using power tools I'd never even used before but like I said, I was all in now. I tend to lead with my vision versus logic sometimes. This meant making mistakes, having meltdowns because I can't believe I was making mistakes and taking risks with someone else's property. "They trusted me with this, how did I mess this up". 

Over-zealous with the handsaw, meant over-cutting into the table... so I found a unique solve, let's add a raised lip/frame. That wasn't planned but I loved the finish look it created. 

But what I found, is that skills that I naturally possessed and a skill that I honed in my advertising career could be applied here. It's still all about problem solving. Ok, your original vision didn't work out, where do we go from here? How does the vision change from here? In the end, with some creative thinking, creative framing, talks with my dad and talks out of the breakdown by my friend (thanks Shelz) my vision changed and became something I eventually loved even more. 

So the next time there is an idea or inkling to try something new, to explore a passion... take that leap. 

Yes mama, I jumped and thank God. And thank you Crystal Marie for making me take this chance on myself. Forever grateful. 

Interested in a step by step tutorial on how I accomplished this look? Let me know in the comments below!

~Makeia