Nicole Hanna Jewelry
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2023 Changes... there are a few.

2/18/2023

4 Comments

 
So, it's been an interesting couple of years, eh? A global pandemic rocked the world, which withdrew into seclusion, and we all learned new ways to cope with the difficulties and promises presented to us. After my own struggles, I recognized late last year that it was time for a refresh. A soft reboot, if you will. And I took to my notebooks and began contemplating what needed and deserved change, and how I could make that happen. 
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I started with something easy... packaging. My packaging, I thought, needed some sprucing. I wanted to maintain something recyclable, or at least mostly recyclable, so anything plastic was out. I settled on greens and florals as representative of growth and expansion, and my husband had a brilliant idea to include a scratch off ticket with every package shipped. One out of 25 will include a code for $75 off a single purchase. I'm excited to see who the first recipient will be, as they've started to roll out with purchases placed last month. For customers: be sure to remove the gold sticker to dispose separately before adding the box to your recyclables. 

The earliest change I made, which some may recall, was that retired lessons would no longer be re-released on their brief, bi-yearly basis, and they had a final hoorah early last year before enjoying their senior years permanently ensconced in storage. There are a couple reasons I retire lessons frequently: 1) 600 lessons listed at once (even 100 lessons) can be overwhelming, for both my website and the viewer and 2) I try to keep designs consistent with what's popular, so what's available creates a cohesive collection for those who are looking for projects in which to invest their time and money. If you are interested in any lessons, I always recommend purchasing them as soon as possible, as lessons are retired every few months. Then, later in the year, we saw the end of the Tuesday Tutorial Treasure Hunts. These became an unfortunate  victim of my chronic illness, though I still hope to offer them on an occasional basis.

Now, the next change may not be a popular one, but I feel it's a necessary one. Due to some mental and physical difficulties these past three years, I've had to prioritize my energy in ways no longer serving me. While I've greatly enjoyed offering the Tutorial Membership Discount Program these past five years, I'm afraid this current year is the last, at least for the foreseeable future, and will not be renewed this fall. COVID has caused a great shift in priorities for many, rightfully so, and tutorials are no longer in demand as they once were. There was some talk of this in January of 2022, as I began to see the decline in demand set in, but wanted to see through one final year, with some of the best lessons (I think) I've offered yet. 

While I have always loved creating lessons, and have amassed more than 600 comprehensive designs over the last thirteen years, including a detailed six-part workshop, I can sadly no longer dedicate the time involved in the production of lessons for the price of the membership, as consistent monthly releases are (deservedly) time-consuming and becoming difficult for me to maintain. My chronic fatigue now limits what work in which I can indulge. I've found, these past several months, I've had very little time to invest in original creations due to the promised commitments of the membership which has, sadly, grown less popular and, as a result, is now financially prohibitive. Unfortunately, there's no way to guarantee enough interest in the membership to move forward with it this fall. It has been such an amazing program to offer, and I'm so glad to have been able to offer it for as long as I was able.

If by some chance, my health and energy greatly improves these next several months, I'll be happy to revisit the idea. Otherwise, I will definitely do my best to continue to offer new lessons when possible, and would like to return to YouTube with free designs if my energy allows, but as it stands now, once this membership concludes in August, lessons will likely be much fewer in number and frequency. However, hopefully this means I will have the time and energy to focus on new original creations and my shop may finally be filled with wearable goodies once more! This prospect fills me with a tremendous amount of joy, as I've missed having the opportunity to offer one-of-a-kind creations. I hope to even invest time in a couple personal bead embroidery projects, in which I haven't indulged in more than two years! 

I understand many will be disappointed that the retired lessons are, or will be, gone forever (including those which are slated for retirement this year), and that the membership will not be renewed this September, as has been the routine these last five wonderful years. But I truly hope you'll stick around to see what's still to come. There will certainly be occasional new lessons, possibly treasure hunts, as well as live chat tutorials in my Facebook group and also, perhaps on YouTube. And lots and lots (if things go according to plan) of new jewelry to share. I'm very excited for what's still to come! 
4 Comments
Beth Johnson
2/20/2023 03:27:21 pm

Nicole, I so admire your honesty... And through all of these years of following you, your business models, ideas, ideals, that have always changed along with you. I love that you are honest to yourself, and that you respect yourself as well. You, your personality , your work.. is quite an inspiration.
My Husband died during that first year of Covid. In the thick of all of the uncertainty and fear. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer Christmastime 2019... The insanity that followed for his care in the midst of the covid 💩 storm repeats like a horror film in my head. And this has resulted in the craziest emotions and physical reactions, so what you are going through with CFS , etc .. I can fully relate to.
I cant thank you enough for your tutorials, (right before I read this blog post ... I had been going through a drawer in my coffee table where I had thrown a pair of dragonfly wings ( earrings ) one of my favorite tutorials of yours... That wound up there because I messed them up (which I rarely do when making them) ... My frustrations of the moments which was many months ago enabled me to give up but I am so thankful I had not thrown them away because I straightened out my mess of them and am ready to proceed once again this evening.
I look forward to your metamorphosis Nicole. I have been in my chrysalis for a bit too long, and have also been being more truthful to myself and learning to stand in it with confidence.
Reading this post after finding the wings makes me feel my own wings begin to form.
Thanks Nicole... And always be blessed!
I make Saint Brigids crosses.... with wire and I would.like to send you one. I have wanted to do this for awhile... But I always get swept up in this crazy roller coaster. I dont know if you can see my email, but if so please send me your mailing address.
❤️

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Nicole T Hanna link
2/20/2023 05:16:35 pm

Thank you so much Beth, for the wonderful comment and the offer. I would be honored to accept this gift! I don't see your email work the past (I think they are always private), but please feel free to email me nikki.hanna@gmail.com any time.

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Mimi A
2/20/2023 08:06:22 pm

People don’t like change but it is through change that we morph into our new purpose. Your generosity has been amazing but you need to take care of you. We love you!!

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Diane Brozovich link
2/21/2023 12:34:07 pm

Nicole... I'm sure it's a hard decision to make such changes, but you've been over the TOP with your generosity and creativity to all of us aspiring wire jewelry makers. Your designs are the ones that first appealed to me and got me started. The fact that your tutorials are so well written and so precise has definitely set yours apart from so many others (I've tried them and ... bleh!) I've really been amazed at the membership offerings from you and know that's got to be so hard to keep them coming. So, a break to recharge and just breathe is most deserved! Thanks so much, Nicole

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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials
    • Tutorial Membership 2022
  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
    • GODDESS COLLECTION
    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving