March Q&A
Q&A
March 1st, 2018
9:00am
Q: Hi! Where do you
get all the material for the jewelry? The gems, the turquoise, all of it.
A: I order most of my
supplies through RioGrande.com, a huge supply distributor. They are based out
of Albuquerque and always have super high-quality materials. I usually order my
stones from Rio but I also buy a lot of them when I travel. I have around 25
stones just from my trip out West and even more from other parts of the world.
Q: What’s your
favorite piece of all time???
A: I have a lot of favorite
pieces to be honest. Every time I make something new I get really excited and
it’s my new favorite. Currently I’m obsessed with the new stuff in the Spring
Collection. It’s like having kids; you can’t pick a favorite. Which is why my
jewelry organizer is currently overflowing…
Q: Mario Kart or Fifa
Street?
A: Mario Kart over
everything, I’m always Yoshi and will 1v1 anyone, anytime.
Q: How long have you
been in business?
A: I started making
jewelry when I was in middle school, so for about 7 years. But I’ve only been
selling it since I was a Sophomore in high school, so 4 almost 5 years.
Q: What’s your
favorite type of Pringle? Also do you make all your jewelry? Year round?
A: I
go back and forth between Sour Cream & Onion and Original, it depends on
the mood. I do make all of my jewelry!! This is one of the most frequently
asked questions I get. It is all handmade by me, no outsourcing, no help, just
me. My “studio” is a converted horse barn which means there isn’t heat, so I
work out of my studio all Spring/Summer/Fall and then production moves inside and
is seriously scaled back during winter. But there’s never a time I’m not making
jewelry.
Q:
Hey lil mama can I get those digits
A: Fun
Fact: even if you have an Instagram dedicated to your business, people will
still try to slide into your DMs. Skrrrrrt.
Q: Hoops or studs???
A: If you know me, you
know I wear hoops almost every day of my life. Hoops are going to be the
biggest comeback of 2017/2018. Homegrown started the hoop trend, remember us
when everyone’s wearing hoops.
Q: How did you decide
on your brand name, Homegrown Jewelry? And what was the runner up for business
name?
A: A lot of jeweler’s use their name as their brand name but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to because I was still so terrified to show off my jewelry. I was trying to think of words and phrases that captured not just my jewelry but also my personality and style. When Homegrown was first put on the table it was actually because of the song by Zac Brown Band. It talks about having everything you need and nothing that you don’t and I just really liked that. Also, being from Vermont and having handmade jewelry Homegrown seemed like the perfect name. There was no runner up, when ya know ya know.
A: A lot of jeweler’s use their name as their brand name but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to because I was still so terrified to show off my jewelry. I was trying to think of words and phrases that captured not just my jewelry but also my personality and style. When Homegrown was first put on the table it was actually because of the song by Zac Brown Band. It talks about having everything you need and nothing that you don’t and I just really liked that. Also, being from Vermont and having handmade jewelry Homegrown seemed like the perfect name. There was no runner up, when ya know ya know.
Q: Do you want to do
this full time after school?
A: Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes. Oh wait, yes.
Q: What got you into
jewelry? And did you anticipate all this success?
A: I started making
jewelry in middle school during an afterschool art program. It was just a bunch
of wire and pliers, with no instructions or teacher but I loved it. From there
I started teaching myself different wire techniques and designs. I was so
obsessed with it that I would sit watching TV and be shaping wire purely on muscle
memory. As a senior in high school I took a jewelry making class and learned
more advanced techniques, which just fueled my passion more. I never in a
million years expected the success I’ve seen. During my first show I was too
nervous to talk to customers and was praying I would make the $25 that it cost
me to have a table back. I cried when I made more than that and my reaction to
even tiny successes is still the same.
Q: What’s your favorite
part of the jewelry making process???
A: I
love the entire production process (besides sawing out bracelets). But I think
my favorite part is the process of having an idea, making it, and having the
final product be exactly was I was envisioning and the sense of pride that goes
along with that.
Q: What type of style
jewelry would you say you create? Is there a particular theme!?
A: My jewelry is heavily inspired by natural elements, but with the
simplicity and edge of street style trends. My work reflects life in Vermont
but traveling has also been a huge influence on my work, whether it be to Italy
or New Mexico.
Q: Who inspired you to
start a jewelry business !!?
A: My biggest
influence was definitely my Mom. She always encouraged and supported me. She
still comes to almost all my shows and events. Without her there is no way I
would’ve even started selling jewelry. She is the behind the scenes MVP of
Homegrown Jewelry. My entire family has been insanely supportive throughout the
past couple of years, they’re amazing. Starting a business, in a creative
field, as a high school student, is terrifying and very risky. But my family
was constantly encouraging me and helping in any way they could.
A: That’s a pretty
loaded question. I made a business plan that has 12 goals for the year. Since making
that plan I’ve probably added another 12 at least. My main goals are really
just to continue growing the business through brand recognition, designs,
social media following, and revenue. I’m attempting to make the jump from
part-time to full-time business owner this year which is very scary. This year
is all about growth and development, professionally and personally.
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