Vaca-frustration

As a hobby a couple years ago and frankly to save myself some money on sparkly jewelry that is very popular in south Texas, I decided to learn how to make it myself. As it turns out I was quite good at it and soon had a pretty good little business going. Here and there I take orders and make a few sets and sell them in a small nail salon run by my Aunt Dina. I recently took an order for four necklaces, this is normally would be pretty simple as one of the staples of my little brand is that everything is one of a kind, but alas this woman felt she wanted four identical necklaces. I was busy at my day job about 3 months ago when my cell phone rang… it was Aunt Dina, “You remember that white necklace you made for me?” No, I did not as over the years I have made her many many necklaces. “You know that one, the one you made for Joann and her friend borrowed it.” Oh yes now I remembered. It was about two years ago that made this piece. It had been a show stopper really, something I would never wear myself but that looked great in the lights of the shop, I had made two one for Dina and a smaller one for Joann. It had been pretty expensive too; I think she had paid $50! She had ordered one a few weeks later for her neighbor. I had given her a discount, $45. “That friend who borrowed it, she wants to order four more- how much would that be?” The heck if I knew, honestly. We reached a price for all four and I put it out of my mind it was March- she needed it in May. So after my hell week- I took two days off this and decided to get this project all done.


I had literally 0% if the supplies so off to my usual store. When I arrived I grabbed the staple stuff and went on to look for the additional beads and the most important part of this necklace- some sparkly crystal balls. Alas they did not have them! This was a disaster- let me not forget to mention that this is the store that had everything and the best prices- I had been counting on them- and nothing. Thoroughly disappointed I left – on the next store. This too was a disappointment and I ended up at the expensive and slow as molasses in the winter Hobby Lobby! I found the last of my staple beads but I was still sadly without those gosh darn crystal balls! I decided that this was my vacation day and I was not going to get upset – so I stopped off at the mall for some retail therapy – two new tops later I was ready to push on… to the last and final stop.

I dread going into this store- It is literally the most expensive supply store I know but right away I found the blasted crystal balls. When I go to a supply “show” these little treasures are about fifty cents a piece – as I stand here looking at the $7 price tag I think – I have already negotiated a price allowing for fifty cents- I cannot really afford to buy these unless this woman is willing to pay $35 more!!! I seriously doubt that. In disappointment I look to the left, in a side bin kind of hidden I notice a sparkle. Here are similar items with black centers for sixty-nine cents! I quickly snatch them up and dash for the register. Success!! I think to myself. As I put the pieces together a few hours later I was pretty proud of the job I had done- sure they were not EXATLY like the other ones, but after traipsing all over the city – that lady better love them- Happily she did and all is well!

But note to self- next time I get an order- start right away and do not spend your vacation day just as stressed out as you would at your regular job!