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.

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.

Q: What do you hope to achieve with HGJ this upcoming year?

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.