Today, I would like to introduce you a young talented jewelry artist from Malaysia who has built up her business through internet in a short span of duration. Find out more about her here:
Tell us about yourself such as where you are base, other than jewelry making, what is your full time job?
I’m Wendy, bred in a small town call Muar. Left for Penang to study 1st to 3rd year architecture in USM, Penang and now I’m base in Petaling Jaya as I’m still continuing my studies in University Malaya. I’m doing my 5th and final year of architecture and jewelry making is my new found (found it less than a year ago) hobby.
Do you intend to make jewelry making your full time profession?
That’s been my dream ever since I started it as a business as returns are quite satisfactory.
How did you start doing jewelry (or beadmaking) as a business?
It all started when my pile of handmade earrings starts to pile up and giving them to friends and relatives. Slowly friends of relatives started asking where they got the particular earrings from and my friend suggested that I start selling them on ebay. Meanwhile, my aunt also helped me sell them to her colleagues at work. So all thanks goes to my friends and relatives who have supported me all this while.
Every artist has a personal "creative process", can you explain yours?
To me, my creative process starts with an organized work table, never mind the messes after the process has been undertake after hours but a clean and clear work space is a must to start things off. Purchasing new beads also sparks the creativity as we tend to pay more attention to the new items and start imagining what it’ll look like with the other beads that I have. Besides that, window shopping helps spark the creative process as well.
When people start doing jewelry, they tend to try a lot of different things before settling down to something that resonates with them, tell us how has your jewelry work changed since you began?
Ok. I started beading as a hobby during my November holidays last year. It all started with the obsession of miniature polymer clay items, then thought that it could be made into jewelry. So I got a instruction kit handbook which provided all the necessary tools (which I’m still using it until today) that I need and started trying them out. And boy, it turned out to be so addictive I haven’t stopped since. Right now, you would have noticed that I’m more into charms accessories as this is actually from where I started: polymer clay miniatures! Just that the clay miniatures take a lot of time moulding and sculpting them I decided that I’ll have to sacrifice on that first and source ready made charms.
What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven't yet?
I’m really looking forward to working with mixed media in the near future, like creating jewelries out of recycled items and stuff like that. As for the skill, I’d love to learn a little of everything ranging from wire wrapping to weaving.
How many hours a week do you spend in the creative side of your business vs… the business side?
I would say a ratio or 6:4. I can’t really count the hours as this jewelry making is just a very part time business for me. I actually would prefer to spend more time on the creative side as there are just countless stuff to create with all the beads and charms I have. Unfortunately, replying emails and doing all the odd jobs like sending out the orders take a lot of time as well.
What inspires you creatively?
Books, magazines and visits to the bead shops.
Where do you sell at primarily-website, brick & mortar stores, shows, etc. Based on your experience, where is the best place to sell jewelries?
Primarily I sell them at my humble blogshop. Once in a blue moon, I set up stalls at school yard sale. This coming Saturday, 8th of November would be my first time to join a bazaar. Yard sales and bazaars are the best place to sell them as people tend to wanna touch and feel the items first before purchasing them.
Do you sell mostly to customers from Malaysia? What are the main issues you face in selling to international market?
Yes my customers are mainly from Malaysia. Issues regarding sales to international market are usually payment and shipping.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested doing jewelry as a business?
I’d say treat it as a hobby, not so much as a business until designing skills are firmed up. Then business would come naturally. Enjoy the process.
Do you have any big/exciting news or different directions for your business this year or year 2009?So far none, I’d have to concentrate on my final semester of my studies first before planning ahead for this business. However, I’d really like to see myself creating more personalized charms in future and branding these charms.
If you teach, where will you be teaching this year?
I have taught for beading.com.my for Shu Uemura’s Charm Bracelet promotion. It was held at various shopping malls.
Who are some of your favorite artists and crafters?
I seek inspiration from various crafters but I particularly like Pashupatina Necklaces where she creates her jewelries out of simple beads yet it all turn out unique.
Where can we find you?
You can find me at http://the-mini-diary.blogspot.com/
Thanks Wendy for the interview. I wish you all success in building your business and brand. Hope you will excel in your study as well! I would think a career in architecture plus a hobby in jewelry making is a good combination for yin and yang :)
