Alicia Goodwin has been creating jewelry since childhood. In 2003, she started her handmade jewelry business, Lingua Nigra. Her pieces range from hand reticulated brass and etched sterling silver, to blossom-like jewelry.
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, business has slowed dramatically. We caught up Alicia to find out how she’s dealing with this new reality.
What were your initial thoughts when you learned about the outbreak?
Like most self employed people, I knew that it would impact me greatly, considering a portion of my business is through in-person shows. I had already seen a downturn in the only show I was able to do. However, I definitely didn’t think it would get to this bad.
How has it affected your business?
Wholesale orders not being paid for and shows are being cancelled left and right. I’m not at a standstill yet, but it might happen. Honestly, even though I have bills to pay, I don’t feel like selling my work. It has given me a ton of free time I wouldn’t otherwise have, though!
How has it affected your lifestyle?
I work a lot, so I don’t have the social life I used to have. I do think twice about purchases, but I’ve been buying lots of food to stay inside and lots more vitamins than usual. Now that I want to socialize, I can’t! Because I can’t travel, I can’t see my friends that I would normally see at shows or on my almost monthly travels to New York.
What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business?
I haven’t even thought that far ahead. I’m trying not to inundate shell shocked people with “buy, buy, buy” right now. Instead, I’m posting pretty art on my instagram and maybe sending out a Covid-19 related newsletter. I’m sure folks are tired of that too.
If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?
I’m not sure. Stay positive and support one another if you can. This will take months, possibly years to recover from, but we will get through this!
-Tony O. Lawson
