So if you don't know on each Etsy shop there's a section called 'About' which is where you write about your shop and yourself and give information - much like how if someone came into an actual shop they could ask and find out about you it's a pre-emptive information area. And I am quite proud of what I had to say so thought I'd also share it here!!
Hello my lovelies and welcome to my Etsy shop!! :D
I'm Imogen aka miimogenation and apparently this is the section where I tell you about my jewellery making journey (how I got here) and my-gothy-magical-witchy-pagan-self and that I’m 30 years old, I have an amazing boyfriend who helps me out to no end and two adorable kitties. I live in a smoke free super private amazing little bungalow in Thornton Cleveleys near Blackpool, England.. I love creativity, gaming, super heroes, the beach, steampunk, goth / goth inspired / dark / macabre etc.. horror.. unusual, weird, quirky, witchy etc etc.. things. And I believe I’m to tell you about my passion for arts, crafts and ultimately jewellery; especially necklaces and how I came to be here doing what I’m doing (and loving) now..!
So let me see..
In March 2019 I decided after 18 years that I would completely change my online identity; start over as a brand new person and really push my creative side forward since that’s always been how I’ve been perceived and described as my whole life.. I thought long and hard about rebranding and whom I wanted to become or better yet who I already am!! ..and embracing her!! Thus I took my actual birth name of ‘Imogen’ and transformed it with a clever twist and play on words using ‘my imagination’ to create my own unique identity of miimogenation. The logo came later from my amazing graphic designer boyfriend; Stuart Gibbons (more on him later) who worked with me to create my unique logo capturing my love of bats (using my tattoo as a guide for the bat part) and gothyness / witchyness style in the font design of my logo. It was at this time, and especially with his support, that I finally decided to take the Etsy shop I created in 2013, rebrand and actually have the confidence to make it work and in doing so giving you the opportunity to purchase my handmade jewellery, accessories and other creations I love to design and make with love.
So how did I get into jewellery making / crafting? Well honestly it came to me as something very unexpected!! I’d always loved arts and crafts especially anything where I got to be creative from my dyed hair, piercings, art, clothes, jewellery and accessories, bags, home decor, personality….. Never really done ‘normal’. But I had leaned more towards art inc traditional drawing but especially digital drawing / painting over the years. Straight out of school (where I was often described as poor at the subject, talked too much but excel in creativity, imagination and artistic sensibility!) I went to Art College and passed my one year First Diploma in Art and Design (at Distinction level) and then went on to do two year BTec National Diploma in Multi Media studies (Merits and Distinctions). It was during those 3 years (age 16 to 19) I discovered I had a talent for working with various metals, glass enamel work, resin, soldering, engraving.. and a lot of other jewellery making and techniques too. - Oh how I excelled at it.. But much as I enjoyed it and to all my tutors disappointments my heart was set on teaching Art. I moved to Scotland where I went on to College/Uni to do Social Sciences (English Major, Economics, Sociology etc etc..) however dropped out due to medical complications, living situations and moving back to England after my relationship breakdown because of my health. Once better I had a bunch of none related jobs.. Blogger, Bar Wench, Servant Girl (Waitress at a Restaurant) and Commercial Foot Canvaser (door to door sales). Then when I was 21 I had an accident leading me to be house bound disabled and sure enough my health deteriorated. Due to a very low immune-system when I was 24 I got sick and just never really recovered. - A year or so after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (mostly the chronic pain and chronic fatigue but my other ongoing health issues such as Depression, Anxiety, IBS, POCS, Costrochondritis etc etc…. All fall in with that bracket.) BUT I digress since being stuck indoors, in a strange town with only my (at the time) best friend/new boyfriend who worked A LOT plus A LOT of sleepless/restless nights/day due to pain and/or fatigue meant I was subjected to The Internet.. Social Media.. most specifically YouTube; click happy curiosities and ultimately when I was 22/23 I’d discovered paper craft and mini albums which I found I loved to make but had no purpose other than to gift them away. Soon enough card making, polymer clay (which I sucked at; it’s not as easy as it looks!), altered arts such as boxes and clocks and picture frames and of course tags which lead to stickpins and charms and inevitably by the age of 24/25 back to jewellery - As a huge jewellery lover I found that all the steampunk, gothy and/or witchy pieces I loved at the time were either RIDICULOUSLY expensively priced and/or in another country ie America meaning high shipping cost and almost guaranteed import fees too!! So I started making my own at first for myself and then for friends and then I started doing my own designs, inspired pieces and original ideas which has since been my main focus for the last 5 years.. I love creating new and unusual pieces, trying to bring inspiration and ideas to others. From 22-25 I was on YouTube and found a great joy in doing a plethora of art and craft tutorials. Having over 3,000 subscribers on my first channel and over 2,000 when I became more planner craft focused on my second channel but found it all took a toll on my health (mostly the time spent video editing, which while I can do this thanks to my College education, I mostly dislike doing it). That said, YouTube is something I am considering trying to get back into; or at least sharing more behind the scenes stuff on Instagram @miimogenation for now. Over the last few years I’ve always been encouraged by family, boyfriend Stuart and my friends such as Jackie.D, Graham.W,
Ashley.C, Sev.B, Kris.B, Rhomany, Marin, Tessa.K and others who have seen, been gifted and/or even purchased my handmade jewellery, digital paintings and/or other goods. - It has been said many times that I should definitely take this (jewellery making) further and let you have the opportunity to purchase the pieces I have made. Plus I am delighted in reading positive ***** reviews about my creations and services.
From 2013 when I first created my shop to March 2019 I had been very scared to realistically try to be a business incase my benefits were stopped and I was forced into looking for employment that would undoubtably make my health much worse! - Don’t get me wrong I’ve been selling unwanted items on Ebay and DePop for years. Ive also sold 5 items on Etsy between 2013 and 2019 and another 6 in the first 2 months after rebranding. As well as taking part in ATC swaps, group craft swaps etc over the years so I’m no stranger to conversing, selling, packaging, shipping, customer relations, being commissioned etc etc.. But I digress: for the most part being too scared to even try (to be self-employed) and of course not wanting to be in trouble; especially the official government and benefit information being so very confusing and even conflicting information!! But I finally wrapped my head around it, got some advice and now here I am!! I’m now at a point in my life where I CAN’T continue letting you miss out on the things I make while I struggle plodding along on benefits. So I HAVE decided that it’s now or never and that I want to get off benefits, stand on my own two feet (and crutches) and become self employed. - Which I guess since I found crafting to be a therapeutic pastime, granted that I’m reluctantly not ALWAYS well enough to do it, I do at least have a toe in the door with skills, education and determination; made even better that I have an amazing boyfriend who is super supportive will help me with the selling and shipping side inc taking parcels to the post office. Along side him doing other roles such as all my amazing photography and being my ultimate super hero. Plus I also get to pick his designer brain when it comes to advertising, what looks good, what fonts to use, what images to use etc.. Since that’s what he does for a living as a Graphic Designer in the industry!
Additionally to our little team I must give a shout out to our two lil furbabies: Mr Ash and Miss Dusty who definitely keep things interesting; as we all know kitties like to get into most things - which has even been an inspiration at times!! But mostly they’re little bundles of cuddly fluff when things all get a bit stressful or a bit too much!!
Finally I am fortunate to have a beautiful and extensive craft room - which it and its contents has been a WIP over the last 8 years. I moved here in October 2018 and sacrificed my living room to have a craft room. - Since I find I only really watch telly / game when I’m in bed because I’m not well enough to do much else or resting in bed etc having a living room became a thing for socialising only and tbh I’m working on a beautiful outdoor space and I have a large kitchen diner (when I can afford a table and chairs lol). So sacrificing my living room for a craft room / studio / work space….. Worth it, plus the room is made of windows! Once fully finished I’ll show a video I’m sure. [Video Pending] but for now I’ve shared workspace photos here and on instagram @https://instagram.com/miimogenation
So hopefully that gives you some insight into me and us. Hopefully you’ll find something you simply love and have to purchase from my made with love handmade business. I also have an Etsy instagram @miimogenation.etsy, a facebook page @miimogenation and I’m on other social media which you can find it all at https://linktr.ee/miimogenation
Love,
Imogen aka miimogenation
xoxo
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