One Of A Kind
With Unique Handcrafted Jewelry
Meet Teri, The Founder of Unique Handcrafted Jewelry
Laura: First things first, tell me about your business? What do you create and who do you create it for?
Teri: We make handcrafted jewelry and small gift items- I make jewelry for those that want something unique – one of a kind. A piece of jewelry they want to perhaps associate with a special occasion or a gift from that special person in their life.
Laura: How did you first get started in your industry?
Teri: I purchased the inventory on a whim from a local woman who had taught jewelry making and she was retiring. My husband said ‘ see what you can do ‘ so I started with videos and surprised myself with making 11 pairs of earrings, then I was hooked.
Laura: What is one thing you want people to know about you, that they may not already know?
Teri: That we take the time to curate our components – we don’t rush to big box store to buy quantity. We purchase from hand-picked sellers that carry the key components we want to feature and be known for with our jewelry.
Laura: What do you struggle with most when it comes to running your own business?
Teri: Time/ Patience – I would love to spend hours sitting in my studio but other responsibilities are required of our time so I love working late at night when the rest of the world is asleep-that has worked for me for many years in other careers.
Laura: What is one thing that comes really easy for you?
Teri: Customer relations- although we are primarily an online store – I love being able to interact with my customers whether its F2F at an art fair or by email/phone. I love building and maintaining those relationships.
Laura: What aspect of your business is the most rewarding?
Teri: First finishing a piece then hearing the customer say ‘ I have to have it’ when they purchase.
Laura: How do you manage the stress and overwhelm of running your own business?
Teri: I work to balance-and often when you’re doing something else, that’s when I get a wave of ideas for a new collection or custom piece.
Laura: Who influences or inspires you the most in regards to your industry?
Teri: Inspiration comes in many forms and sometimes when you least expect it. I am inspired by fellow makers, by the metal clay artist whose class I took, I am inspired by the woman who developed the training to allow me to build our website and I am finally inspired by my husband who tells me all the time-‘ all I care is that you are having fun’ no matter what you choose to do.
Laura: You have “a worthy brand,” I can see that, but why do you feel your brand is worthy? How do you remind yourself of your worth to continue building you business each day, how do you remind yourself, you are worth it!
Teri: As we get bits of inspiration those times tell me I am worthy b/c I stay open to the messages – no matter how / who delivers it. My clients show me I am worthy but I think just making the effort to try makes us worthy b/c we are hungry for the challenge.
Laura: And last… if you could give new or struggling entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Teri: Be patient and don’t take no for an answer!
Photography By Teri McCartney
Thank you Teri for sharing your story and your one-of-a-kind jewelry with us. It’s so lovely to to see her along with her husband Kevin, run a business together. Your creations are truly UNIQUE, HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY.
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