WELCOME TO THE ERTSUL NEWSLETTER
Thank you for supporting ERTSUL’s journey. This is just the second newsletter. If you missed the first one, you can check it out in the ARCHIVES.
The intention behind this newsletter is to enrich your inbox with some varied food for thought, before delving into something else that is playing on my mind at the time. Be that pieces, ideas, design processes or beyond.
As part of the mailing list you will also receive an exclusive link for early access to ERTSUL’s first drop, DROP #1, which is coming soon. Though its format has changed slightly - it’s now less of a ‘drop’, and more of a ‘release’ (read on).
____________________
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
SONG:
Good Vibrations - freekind. a song I found in my discover weekly this week. It played a few times during my cycles to and from work, and provoked a few happy and epiphanic moments.
GUIDANCE:
The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.
Breakdown: START THAT THING. THAT THING YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING TO START. You in 10 years will look back and thank YOU.
POEM: Good morning pigeon
Good morning I say,
to the pigeon,
That happens across my way,
I mean not disturb your purpose,
I say,
To which the pigeon,
after a slight pause,
reacts as if I have threatened him gravely,
as he flutters maniacally across my bike’s path,
as if I might somehow,
spring from my pedals,
sprout claws and fangs,
and strike him like lightning right there and then,
now, most days I do try to proclaim my peace,
but some days I don’t feel like calling out from my bike,
so I say nothing,
and scarper pigeons to the left, centre and to the right,
but I’m sure,
almost certain,
that on the days where I do,
raise my hand or give a nod and say,
“good morning pigeon,
I mean not disturb your purpose.”
I’m almost sure,
that whilst they fly frantic and flap away,
their eyes catch mine as if to say:
“thank you kind sir,
nor us to you,
our little pea-brains just make us do this anyway,
now you too old fellow!
Won’t you have a good day.”
____________________
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
A newsletter is still a very new concept to me, but one I am keen to explore and turn into something that is a pleasure to write, and a joy for you to read and receive. Let’s just say it’s a work in progress.
For this newsletter, I had written multiple drafts, concerning consumerism, Oxford Street, our purpose within the universe, what we can learn from bees, and so on. Sadly I was struggling to bring it all together, so I’m just going to talk about my thoughts on DROP #1. Which I hereby declare to be more of a release than a drop.
____________________
DROP VS RELEASE
To me, a drop implies a collection of products that is intended to sell out, and quickly at that. When I started creating DROP #1, this is what I had envisioned.
But this meant I started to feel a lot of pressure to ensure all of the pieces sold. Which then meant that I was waiting, trying to build a buzz and feel for the perfect moment to release the drop. I realised, as I tried to plan unnecessary photoshoots, get styling opportunities, editorial features etc. that this perfect moment was never going to come.
On the other hand, the sooner I released the drop, the sooner I could continue moving onwards and upwards. Because throughout all of this deliberation, my most advanced and complete collection of work to date was being hidden away.
____________________
SLOW CREATION, SLOW SALES
On top of that, I realised aiming to sell out as quickly as possible is not really my style.
All of the pieces from DROP #1 are slowly, purposefully and mindfully handmade. I am there from start to finish. Every detail of every piece is considered as I scrutinise and examine them in my hands from every possible angle, making slight adjustments and working on bringing out the work that needs to come out.
To be bought impulsively, and with fear of missing out as the driving force, is not in their nature. They should be purchased in a fashion similar to their creation. That is to say, slowly, deliberately and consciously.
____________________
LETTING GO
So, I’m going to release the drop as soon as possible. And if none of the pieces sell, fine. Really. It is very difficult to find the balance between business and artist, especially when rent and bills loom heavy, but I think I’d rather err on the side of artist. With ERTSUL anyway. (Stay tuned to find out about my other jewellery business ventures soon). And to me, that means staying true to what I want to create, without forcing it on anyone or requiring them to like it.
So with that being said, I hope that all of the pieces in the drop are eventually chosen by (or choose) people who they truly speak to, and who will love and care for them for years to come. And if not, it doesn’t matter. I truly loved making them and enjoy them and the beautiful place they took in my journey.
____________________
LOGISTICS
As a newsletter subscriber, you will still receive early access to the collection.
However, I will remove time pressure on this slightly by giving you a week to consider the pieces before granting open access to the collection.
If you would like to reserve a piece, and are waiting to be paid, just send me a message and I will take it off sale for you, and take a small deposit.
In preparation for this, which I hope will be next week(!) You can get your fingers sized at a local jewellers, or order a free ring sizer online. I will add them to the website at some point - but for now, why don’t we all take advantage of Monica Vinader’s free ring sizer, I’m sure they won’t mind. (Order now to make sure it arrives in time, it’s very easy.)
____________________
THANK YOU
If you made it through another newsletter! I feel this one was not as exciting or interesting as the last, but hopefully we can bounce back to deeper topics after the drop. I simply couldn’t pull together something else this time, and sometimes you just have to shoot your shot and move on.
Sometimes you score, sometimes you miss. Then you learn for next time. A successful shot requires a good run up, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sometimes take a pop anyway.
____________________
I hope you have a great weekend! Please take a second to rate the newsletter using the link below - or let me know what you thought via Instagram. I enjoy writing these and it really helps me word my thoughts, and feel like I am actually talking to you. Which is nice. So thank YOU.
LOVE
Charlie x
Subscribe here to receive future newsletters to your inbox.