This week I am honoured to have invited Karenlyn of karennstone.webs.com for an interview with Handmade-Jewelry-Club.
She shared very insightful tips on running a home based jewelry business. For those who are aspired to be an entrepreneur, take the opportunity to learn from her:
Tell us about yourself such as where you are?
I'm a home-based Jewelry Artist in Singapore. Always love art & crafts, e.g. Painting, Sketching, Crochet, Henna Painting, Handicrafts etc. But most of all, jewelry making
I understand that you are a stay at home mom and jewelry making is your full time profession. Any specific reason you choose this path? They are many independent beader who does this on part time basis and most do not dare to quit their full time job to venture into jewelry making fully.
I was working for a MNC as a Secretary many years back, due to my domestic helper, I had to leave my job and stay home caring for my young children. Working as a home-based Jewelry Artist provides flexible working hours, additional income and also able to bond with my children during their growing up years. With much blessings, I've a very supportive husband (he shops with me for the beads & stuff ) and he shares my passion in jewelry making. I do understand why our fellow artist dare not quit their job to venture full-time. First of all, jewelry making is an expensive hobby. The materials itself will cost you a bomb (even if we use the common materials made of rhodium, glass beads, plastic beads etc, cause there are so much findings & components we have to purchase), without knowing if the product can sell. I believe most of us started by making jewelry for ourselves & friends, through word of mouth, people get to know about our work. Unless we can create a niche in a particular techniques or concept that is unique - most of all, have lots of support from friends & all, then we are able to venture into jewelry making fully.
How did you start doing jewelry (or beadmaking) as a business?
Actually... I started off making jewelry by chance I've never thought that I'll be a Jewelry Artist one day. Anyway, I came by a shop selling semi-precious gemstone beads, I was attracted by them and bought some home to make myself something to wear. From then on, I just can't resist going back & I did some research online and realize that in fact jewelry making has a huge community worldwide. From then on, I've been exploring varies types of techniques - stringing, crochet, beading, wirework etc. Through word of mouth from family & friends, more people commission me to customize & repair their jewelry, especially jewelry make-over - existing pieces to re-design.
Tell us about yourself such as where you are?
I'm a home-based Jewelry Artist in Singapore. Always love art & crafts, e.g. Painting, Sketching, Crochet, Henna Painting, Handicrafts etc. But most of all, jewelry making
I understand that you are a stay at home mom and jewelry making is your full time profession. Any specific reason you choose this path? They are many independent beader who does this on part time basis and most do not dare to quit their full time job to venture into jewelry making fully.
I was working for a MNC as a Secretary many years back, due to my domestic helper, I had to leave my job and stay home caring for my young children. Working as a home-based Jewelry Artist provides flexible working hours, additional income and also able to bond with my children during their growing up years. With much blessings, I've a very supportive husband (he shops with me for the beads & stuff ) and he shares my passion in jewelry making. I do understand why our fellow artist dare not quit their job to venture full-time. First of all, jewelry making is an expensive hobby. The materials itself will cost you a bomb (even if we use the common materials made of rhodium, glass beads, plastic beads etc, cause there are so much findings & components we have to purchase), without knowing if the product can sell. I believe most of us started by making jewelry for ourselves & friends, through word of mouth, people get to know about our work. Unless we can create a niche in a particular techniques or concept that is unique - most of all, have lots of support from friends & all, then we are able to venture into jewelry making fully.
How did you start doing jewelry (or beadmaking) as a business?
Actually... I started off making jewelry by chance I've never thought that I'll be a Jewelry Artist one day. Anyway, I came by a shop selling semi-precious gemstone beads, I was attracted by them and bought some home to make myself something to wear. From then on, I just can't resist going back & I did some research online and realize that in fact jewelry making has a huge community worldwide. From then on, I've been exploring varies types of techniques - stringing, crochet, beading, wirework etc. Through word of mouth from family & friends, more people commission me to customize & repair their jewelry, especially jewelry make-over - existing pieces to re-design.
Do you specialise in any specific technique Why?
I specialize in wirework, it's challenging to complete a complicated design and also the satisfaction from achieving the task that has been given to me. Another reason been, very few jewelry artists in Singapore do wirework, thus open up the wirework market here. I just love the intricate designs of wirework jewelry.
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?
I began with simple stringing method, making necklaces, bracelets & earrings. I try to use as many colors & shapes to create my designs at first instead of plain simple.
Some initial works by Karenlyn:
What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven't yet?
I would love to explore on art clay in silver & gold, where you need to learn filing, soldering, glazing, oxiding etc.
How many hours a week do you spend in the creative side of your business vs… the business side?
I don't really calculate how many hours, as my inspiration comes, I'll just go on making them . Sometime, I just go dry with my ideas . I prefer to create a good piece. Versa the business side, like I said, majority are customized.
Where do you sell at primarily-website, brick & mortar stores, shows, etc. Based on your experience, where is the best place to sell jewelries?
I sell my jewelry online, advertised on shopping directory, exchanged links with others (selective of course), go for bazzar or flea-market sale (usually 2 days event, low in rental).
Most of my clients are through word of mouth from existing clients, friends & website. Whenever I have a bazzar sale, it turns out better than expected
Exchanging links with others increases the traffic to my website, thus it's a good exposure.
Do you sell mostly to customers of your local market? What are the main issues you face in selling to international market?
Yes, most of my cilents are locals and I do have some from USA & Vietnam. So far, everything is smooth sailing, no problem with the international market.
Can you tell us about some important goals you have achieved with your jewelry work?
I've learned to be more patient - not just with work, but with people around me. More observant, flexible and a happier person.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested doing jewelry as a business?
For a start, you'll need to know if the jewelry that you'll be making are commonly sold in the market. Pricing of the jewelry, have a niche technique (e.g. looming, wirework, crochet etc) or a unique concept (e.g. semi-precious gemstones, creamic, glass etc). Starts small, have unique pieces, do not mass produce.
A good photo of the item is a must, try taking close-up picture, so that potential clients can have a good look. Post them on a blog to sell with detailed description (including the size of the beads), based on that clients can have a rough guide of the jewelry. There's many other website that provides free software and space to setup your own website. E.g. www.freewebs.com. Open a Paypal account for those who wants to pay via credit cards & international purchase. Important point: For international purchase - ONLY ACCEPT VIA PAYPAL, that's the safest way - you are notifiy immediately when you are paid & customers are not allow to cancel the transfer. Upon receipt of payment, always sent your package out by registered mail (prove of delivery).
Keep your overheads as low as possible, invest in quality materials. Pass on the savings to the consumer will be great.
Do you have any big/exciting news or different directions for your business this year or year 2009?
I've been invited to showcase my jewelry at the Downtown East, E-Hub this year & also to create more vintage designs in wireworks.
Who are some of your favorite artists and crafters?
One of my favorite - Eni Oken - www.enioken.com, Connie Fox - www.conniefox.com & Wire Bliss Mei from Malaysia - http://wireblissmei.blogspot.com/.
Karenlyn, once again, I would like to thank you for your willingness to share your tips and I wish you all the best in your business!
