Four-Year Plan: Building a Multi-Passionate Life in The Happy Chickery
So, I started this year on a mission to demolish some long-held beliefs about what it means to be an artist. My guide was "The Creative Ambush," and while the first few sections were eye-opening, the deeper I got, the more I realized something profound.
I didn't write any more blog posts about the book, because frankly, it got really deep. It forced me to confront what I truly want, and what I found wasn't a neat, clean, business-savvy answer. The answer was messy, joyful, and completely at odds with one of the most common pieces of advice given to any creative entrepreneur: "You need to choose a niche."
I've heard it countless times. "Specialize in one thing." "Find your signature style." "Niche down to stand out." But as I looked at my own life, and the things that genuinely light me up, I saw a different truth.
A Second Adolescence (With an Adult Timeline)
It seems to me that many of us in our 50s are going through a life change just as profound as the one we had as teenagers. Remember trying to figure out who you were and what you wanted to do with your life? Well, that's exactly where I am now. It's a moment to re-examine everything we've built and decide what comes next.
While I won't be taking a "midlife gap year" right now—I'm committed to my current career for four more years—that doesn't mean I'm putting my creative life on hold. Instead, I'm using these next four years as a dedicated period of joyful, multi-passionate creation to prepare for my time off later. My creative journey isn't just about starting a business; it's about giving myself that essential space to figure things out now, to reconnect with the person who loves to simply make stuff.
The Freedom of Not Niching Down
My passion isn't limited to a single art form. It's not just about jewelry, although I love making it. My passion is about the act of making things, period. Whether it's crafting a beaded necklace, painting a whimsical scene, tying knots up in macrame, or even the simple satisfaction of cooking a delicious meal or organizing a space until it feels "right." My creativity isn't a single stream; it's a river with many tributaries, and I've decided to stop trying to force them all into one tiny channel.
The idea of niching down feels constricting. Like telling a child they can only play with one color of crayon. I don't want to monetize my knowledge by teaching classes or sell products I don't feel passionate about just to hit a number. I want to make things and share them with folks who might be interested. I want to get my hands dirty with clay one week and then try macrame the next. I want to create what feels good and what feels authentic.
I've realized that the goal isn't necessarily to become a huge, money-making machine. I mean, I need to keep the lights on, to fund the art supplies, and to allow myself the freedom to keep playing and creating. I'm choosing to build a small business that is a direct reflection of my spirit, not a reflection of a marketing strategy.
Welcome to The Happy Chickery
This new focus is why I recently carved out and named my new studio: The Happy Chickery. For the next four years, this shop behind my house is my sanctuary—a dedicated space where the only rule is joyful experimentation. This is where I will work, play, and build a diverse body of work that reflects my many interests.
So, I am officially expanding Kerry Best Designs. It won’t just be about jewelry anymore; it's going to be a home for all the things I love to make. Don't be surprised to see a new collection of hand-painted pieces next to a new line of jewelry, or a crochet collection popping up unexpectedly.
This is the next phase of my journey. It's not about being a "master of one." It's about being a happy creator of many, enjoying the process, and sharing the results. Let’s see how much we can make in the next four years!