Jewelry Inspired by Nature & Animals

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carolyn Jones, designer, and creator of Sleepy Cat Jewelry, located in Medford, NJ.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Sleepy Cat Jewelry is a woman-owned business in Medford, NJ. I create jewelry using traditional metalsmithing techniques and tools such as a jeweler's saw, various hammers, pliers, and a torch, to name a few. My business started thanks to encouragement from other business owners and artists in my town, with just the idea that I wanted to make beautiful jewelry inspired by the nature that surrounds my area. I've stayed true to that vision through the 10 years I've been in business, increasing my skills through workshops, classes, and just experimenting on my own with sterling silver and copper metals and semiprecious gemstones. My work is created for women who love woodlands, the ocean, the sky, and animals, especially cats. Each design is made by hand by me from start to finish. Often a design will start as a simple sketch on paper. This means that no design is ever mass-produced and will be the only one of its kind. Unlike jewelry that is made by machines and computers, Sleepy Cat Jewelry is something special. Each piece has its own character and soul.

Tell us about yourself

I've always loved creating and expressing myself through art. A friend and the business owner recognized this in me and urged me to take a jewelry class in wire-wrapping. I was immediately hooked and knew that this is what I wanted to do. Of course, I was really hooked after I took a long workshop on metalsmithing and held a jeweler's saw for the first time. It is such a joy to take a simple square of sheet metal and transform it into a sculptural flower or a playful cat.

A big part of my job is selling the jewelry, both online and at juried, fine art and craft shows in the area. Making that connection with a customer who absolutely loves a pair of earrings or necklace I've made always gives me a lift and inspires me to keep creating. I often hear that it's their favorite piece of jewelry and that they wear it all the time. I also enjoy working on custom orders as I love bringing a person's ideas to life and finding that I've exceeded their expectation.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is getting out there and doing those fine art and craft shows. It is often a very competitive experience when applying to the shows and jewelry always has many applicants. To be accepted to a quality show is the acknowledgment of my skills and all the hard work I put into my designs. When I first started out, just doing a 4-hour local show seemed overwhelming but now I can set up and sell at 2 and 3 days shows that last 7-8 hours.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing for me is trying to handle all the roles that come with running a business. I would love to spend all my time just creating the jewelry but I also have to do photography, writing, editing, accounting, marketing, and sales! It's definitely a balancing act. I am still a full-time mom to 2 teenagers and various furry kids so there are only so many hours in the day to get everything done.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Find support through other business owners. I love the advice and help I receive from fellow artists. They offer different perspectives and can commiserate when things go wrong.

2. Start small and build up as you grow. There are always more tools and materials to buy but it doesn't make sense to go into deep debt before you've even made your first sale.

3. Be patient with yourself. It takes years of practice and dedication to get good at a craft.

Looking back at when I first started it's amazing how far I've come as an artist in 10 years. This didn't happen because I was "talented." It was the result of many hours of keeping at it and persevering even when there were many failures. It's also because I had the support and encouragement of loved ones, friends, and other artists and business owners. I'm grateful that this is my job and that I get to do what I love!

Where can people find you and your business?

http://www.sleepycatjewelry.com

https://www.instagram.com/sleepycatjewelry/

https://twitter.com/sleepycatjewel

https://www.facebook.com/SleepyCatJewelry/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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