A case study of artist Myung Urso's jewelry business

Artist Interview

A Case Study of an Artist:

INSPIRING JOBS

It was a Saturday afternoon when this petite woman who's wearing a beige hat, a big brown shoulder bag walked towards me in a very carefree manner. She waved, smiled, and sat on the chair across mine in this brightly-lit restaurant. To any ordinary observer, she would strike you as just about any other woman, but her story proved otherwise. I have known her for quite some time now because of an art gallery I once attended, but today, she came to me to tell her story, her work and how she makes a good living out the things that she truly enjoy.

Art: Venturing into an Enterprise

Myung Urso had several jobs before but she did not feel fully satisfied. One time, when she was sketching the necklace of her aunt, an idea stumbled in her mind. It was at this very moment that she realized that she might actually be able to make a good business out of her jewelry designs.

She started this business at her house in 2007. She made jewelries and souvenirs using mixed media such as silk, cotton, paper, thread, lacquer, stone, bead, and glass. She also made it a point to be able to explore by using different shape and forms in her art pieces. She offered low prices for people who are looking for souvenirs.

In order to improver on her craft, she regularly participates in craft shows especially for the Spring, Summer, and Fall Collections during October and November. She also finds these occasions as ways by which she's able to get information and new ideas from the people who attend the show. She is able to get connections by meeting gallery and stone owners. Her booth in the craft show which can cost about $1,000 is considered a good investment because she's able to get connections and market information. For her business, she needs little investment: as her pieces are small, there is no need for delivery trucks, she is also self-employed and therefore needs very little human capital.

This case study presents to us an inspiring story, and an inspiring job. Myung Urso's ability to translate her personal inclinations into something that she can capitalize from is a laudable thing.

We cannot deny the fact that we live in a society where art is rather stigmatized. It is widely believed to be a not-so-good-source-of-income. However, Urso's story shows us that one's true love for the arts can reap good rewards in the end because it can allow you to make a living out of the activity that you truly enjoy.