Meet Janice, a passionate artisan with a flair for handcrafted jewelry and curated kids collections. Hailing from Florida and now residing in California, Janice’s journey into the world of handmade jewelry began as a nostalgic hobby reignited during the Covid lockdown. Her artistic talents, nurtured since childhood through various crafts with her mother, have blossomed into a thriving business on platforms like Etsy. Drawing inspiration from nature’s vibrant hues and organic shapes, Janice infuses her designs with a unique charm that resonates with customers of all ages. Through local markets and events, she shares her creations, building meaningful connections with fellow artists and customers alike. Join us as we delve into Janice’s creative process, insights, and advice for aspiring designers looking to embark on their own artistic endeavors.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into the world of handmade jewelry?
I was born and raised in Florida by parents from Puerto Rico. After I got married, my husband and I moved to California in 2003 where we set up home. During the Covid lockdown I restarted my hand-made jewelry hobby and remembered how much enjoyment I got from designing and making unique pieces of jewelry. At first, I did it solely as a hobby for my own creative expression but other women really liked my designs and kept asking me to make jewelry for them. I got a great sense of satisfaction seeing them smile and enjoy wearing my creations.
What inspired you to start your own shop featuring handmade jewelry and curated kids collections?
At first it was still a hobby for me and then I started going to craft fairs and setting up my pop-up tent with my jewelry pieces laid out nicely for customers to see. As well as making a bit of money I really enjoyed meeting everyone and talking about my designs and my creative process. Then one day a very nice lady said I should start my own shop and take it a bit more seriously. I was hesitant at first but my lovely husband encouraged me and helped set things up. I tried different online shopping storefronts but eventually settled on Etsy because of its philosophy on catering to handmade creators and its ease of use.
I still do craft fairs and one of the things I’ve noticed is that many mums attend with their daughters and they’re always looking for cute items for both of them. Sometimes the daughters will make the final choice and sometimes the mum, so having collections for both age ranges helps them choose something together. I’ve tried to replicate that experience on my Etsy store.
Are there any personal anecdotes or stories behind your decision to pursue this creative path?
It all started with my mom when I was nine. We used to hot glue-gun laces to bathroom towels and then we started crocheting dolls that covered the toilet rolls – that was an 80’s thing, LOL. Covers for toilet paper! Don’t know how many of you remember the fad that came out with the doll on top with the crochet skirt – hilarious. But it was fun for us. So you could say crafts and creativity is in my blood. I can’t function without diving into some sort of creations. I go from jewelry to art to sewing projects. But out of all the projects my favorite is always jewelry. I don’t know what it is but it ignites me. The limitless designs and ideas you can create around jewelry just using wiring and beads and a bit of welding is quite amazing!
The curated kids collection came into place 2 years after I started the shop. I started creating kids necklaces then I added mickey ears and kids aprons and so on. Lots of fun designs that make kids laugh and chuckle when they put them on.
Who or what serves as your biggest inspirations when it comes to your work?
Nature has always been my favorite source of inspiration. When I see the colors of the sky especially at sunrises and sunsets, the purples, blues and oranges inspire me to create with those colors. I love the shape of pebbles on the beach and shells combined with wood and other organic materials. When I’m buying beads I always look for unusual shapes and colorful finishes,
How do you stay inspired and motivated in your creative process?
My passion for design and making things by hand always keeps me going even when sometimes the actual job of running a business is hard work and not so creative. It took me a while to make the transition from just making jewelry as a hobby for myself and friends to approaching it more as a business where I’m offering unique pieces of hand-crafted jewelry for a wider clientele. But I’ve never lost sight of the sheer joy of thinking of something in my imagination and then going out to find the right mixture of raw materials and then working on them in my studio. I’m often surprised by some of the creations I end up with. The creative process is still a mystery to me.
Do you participate in any local markets or events to showcase your products?
Oh YES! I believe it is very important for me to get out to the public and let customers meet the creator behind the scenes and also let them pick up and feel the products. I love attending craft fairs and hobby events. I have gotten to build so many wonderful relationships not only with customers but also other talented artists.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned along the way that you wish you knew when you first started?
Nothing is easy in life. The transition from a hobby to a business was a lot more demanding than I realized. But everyone who makes it, works hard and stays focused on achieving their dream. There will be great days when you make a lot of sales and everyone thinks you’re amazing, and then, there will be those terrible days when everything goes wrong and you sit there with your head in your hands thinking, why am I doing this? It’s in those moments when you have to look at your Vision Board and remind yourself of all the wonderful experiences you’ve had with customers and how much your jewelry meant to them. In the end, if you’re following your passion and doing what really matters to you, you can overcome all kinds of adversity. Plus, having a supportive family and a cute dog really helps.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists or designers who are considering starting their own handmade jewelry or curated kids collections?
I would say don’t over think things and spend a little extra money for better quality inventory. Also, if you are going to do shows, make an effort to make your spot beautiful and alluring because this is your storefront and you want to make the customer remember you. Never ever compare yourself to others, make your style of design your own. Let it come from your heart, and never push to follow what’s trending because you won’t find joy. Always design from your feelings. Let it flow from your heart and make your designs unique!
To see more of my designs check out:
https://www.instagram.com/janiceboutiqueshop/
