Jewelry Making with Stephanie Martin
Have you ever see gorgeous handmade jewelry and wanted to know more about the individual who created them? Ever wondered what inspired them to create the stunning pieces that they have made or use the colors they did? We had the chance to talk with Stephanie Martin about how she got started as a handmade jewelry designer, what has inspired her pieces, and she also gives some of her hard earned advice in being a woman entrepreneur. :). You can find her gorgeous jewelry to include necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, in her Etsy Shop and she also has her own website.
Also, we have an added bonus here - she translated her interview into Spanish in honor of her Argentinian background and it is after her full interview below.
By Michele of VAMICreations and Stephanie Martin
Beautiful handmade necklace by Stephanie Martin
How did you start Stephanie Martin?
Jewelry was my hobby for 10 years before I actually started to turn it into a business in 2012. A friend introduced me to Etsy because she was selling her own jewelry. So I thought I would give it a try with no expectations whatsoever. I did, and within 6 months I was able to quit my corporate job!
What gave you the idea/inspiration?
The inspiration from my products comes from my own taste, what I like in aesthetics in general, things that I wished I could find and I was not able to. I love color, and you can see that clearly reflected in my products.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Oh boy, this could be long! Well, I’m in my forties (but don’t tell anyone), born and raised in Argentina but lived in US for 20 years, so I consider myself half and half. I am passionate when it comes to work; I like to give all my energy when I dive into a new project. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. Something about myself is that I never give up.
How long has Stephanie Martin been around?
It was launched in 2012, when I started on Etsy from my kitchen table, in Miami.
What is Stephanie Martin all about?
Stephanie Martin is all about delicate seed beads, color, elegance, and making a statement. And quality is a must.
Handmade rings by Stephanie Martin
How do you choose the pieces you create?
That is the toughest part of my job, really. Coming up with new designs without abandoning the line and the concept. But, somehow I always discover new designs in my head. I think is a surviving skill.
What has inspired you to create different pieces?
I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest pictures, and from other forms of jewelry as well. I try to translate those ideas into my own materials and designs. And sometimes the new ideas just come to me. Half of my prototypes never make it to the website, sometimes the execution is not a reflection of the idea. So you work a little more on it, or just move on with something else.
What is your favorite type of piece to create?
I would say new earrings designs are my favorite, because to my they are the most challenging. I am very happy when they turn out right.
What would you tell a new jewelry maker for encouragement?
I would say the same thing someone once told me and that changed my life: “there is a lot of people out there who appreciate handmade items, you would be surprised. “
What is something you are passionate about and why?
I am definitely passionate about my business. I think you must be passionate when you run your own business, otherwise it is very hard to make it a success. I am also passionate about my dog, London!
If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be?
I would say give it a try, whatever you like to do in life, give it a try. Start with very little and build from there. Trust your instincts. We, women, have that advantage. We know what we want; and we know we can do it.
Handmade Earrings by Stephanie Martin
What would you encourage them about?
I would say people often feel discouraged because they think starting your own business takes a lot of money and experts, but today that is not true. If the business is online, it takes very little money to start (I started with $100). So whatever kind of business you want to build, think of ways of starting small and growing organically, instead of trying to have everything “perfect” from the get go.
What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?
I wish someone told me “keep it simple!” Sometimes we complicate things, right?
What are some tips you would like to share about selling on Etsy? Advice to someone just starting to sell on Etsy?
My first and top tip would be to keep the shop cohesive. Even if you only have 10 items, keep it looking that they all go together with one another. Customers are confused when they visit a shop and they can’t tell what is the concept of your shop. Another tip would be to offer as much personalization as possible. Etsy is a place known for this, and customers expect to have something unique. Last but not least, don’t look at the competition. You will drive yourself crazy.
What is your dream for Stephanie Martin to be (where do you see Stephanie Martin in 5+ years)?
Wow, 5 years is a long time for me! I think I want to grow the business a little more, have more free time for myself personally and just enjoy the fruit of my labor.
Is there anything you would like to talk about that we did not ask about?
I think we pretty much covered all!
If you like this, you may like:
And for our first foreign translation of the same interview - see the below for the Spanish version curtesy of Stephanie herself! Thank you! :)
Cómo comenzó Stephanie Martin?
Handmade Bracelets by Stephanie Martin
La joyería había sido mi pasatiempo durante 10 años antes de que decidiera convertirlo en un negocio, Una amiga me sugirió utilizar Etsy porque ella estaba vendiendo su propia joyería. Entonces decidí probar, sin ninguna expectativa. Y resultó que a los 6 meses pude renunciar a mi trabajo para dedicarme de lleno a esto!
Qué te dió la idea/inspiración?
La inspiración para crear mis productos nace de mis gustos propios, de lo que me gusta estéticamente. Hay accesorios que me gustaría encontrar en tiendas y no los veo, y de ahí salen las ideas. Me encanta el color, y eso es algo que se refleja claramente en mis productos.
Dinos algo acerca de ti.
Uy! Esto puede tomar tiempo. Bueno, tengo un poco más de 40 años de edad (pero no se lo digan a nadie); nací y me crié en Argentina pero viví 20 años en Estados Unidos, asique me considero de ambos sitios. Soy apasionada de mi trabajo y me gusta darlo todo cuando comienzo un proyecto nuevo. A veces da resultado, y a veces no. Pero nunca me doy por vencida.
Cuánto hace que Stephanie Martin existe?
Comenzó en Noviembre del 2012, desde la mesa de mi cocina en Miami.
Cuál es el concepto o imagen de Stephanie Martin?
Los principales ingredientes de Stephanie Martin son delicados seed beads (mostacillas) , colores, elegancia, y básicamente crear un impacto en la imagen de la mujer. La calidad es también muy importante.
Handmade Necklace by Stephanie Martin
Cómo eliges las piezas que creas?
Esa es la parte mas difícil de mi trabajo. Crear nuevos diseños sin abandonar mi concepto y visión. Pero de alguna manera siempre logro nuevos objetivos y no dejo de sorprenderme. Deber ser el instinto de supervivencia!
Qué te inspira a la hora de crear nuevos diseños?
Pinterest es una gran fuente de inspiración, con fantásticas imágenes que se te cruzan por allí. También me inspira ver otros tipos de joyería. Quizás intento traducirla a mi línea, usando mis materiales y mis propios toques personales.
Y por supuesto, también a veces me llega una idea a la cabeza sin buscar inspiración.
La mitad de mis prototipos nunca llegan a ser productos; muchas veces la idea y la ejecución no van de la mano. En ese caso corrijo y sigo probando, o simplemente descarto y comienzo algo nuevo.
Cuál es el tipo de accesorio favorito que te gusta crear?
Creo que los aretes, pues es lo que mas me cuesta materializar, entonces cuando salen bien es un triunfo personal.
Qué dirías para animar a una persona que comienza a vender joyería?
Le diría lo mismo que me dijo una amiga a mi cuando comencé, y que nunca me olvido: “te sorprendería saber cuánta gente en el mundo aprecia productos hechos a mano”.
Qué te apasiona en general, y porqué?
Definitivamente una de las cosas que me apasiona es mi trabajo. Creo que si tienes tu propio negocio, debes sentir pasión por el, sino es muy difícil triunfar.
También me apasiona mi perrito, London!
Si tuvieras uno o mas consejos para compartir con una mujer emprendedora, qué le dirías?
Le diría…inténtalo, sea lo que sea que te gusta hacer, inténtalo. Comienza con muy poco y ve construyendo desde esa base. Confía en tus instintos. Nosotras las mujeres tenemos esa ventaja, sabemos lo que queremos y sabemos que somos capaces de hacerlo.
Qué cosas les dirías para alentarlas en sus nuevos proyectos?
Yo creo que la gente se desanima porque piensan que para comenzar su propio negocio deben tener mucho dinero y un equipo experto. Pero eso hoy en día no es verdad. Si el negocio es virtual, necesitas muy poquito para arrancar (yo comencé con $100). Así que sea cual sea el tipo de negocio que quieres tener, piensa de qué manera puedes comenzar de a poco y ya luego crecer de manera natural, en lugar de tener todo “perfecto” desde el día uno.
Qué lección aprendiste y te gustaría compartir, desde que te convertiste en una mujer emprendedora?
Ojalá alguien me hubiese dicho que haga las cosas de una manera simple. A veces uno tiende a complicarlas sin necesidad.
Cuáles son algunos consejos que te gustaría darle a alguien que quiere comenzar a vender en Etsy?
Mi primer consejo es que tengan una imagen homogénea en su tienda. Aunque sólo tengan 10 artículos, que parezca que todos tienen algo en común. Los clientes se confunden cuando entran a una tienda y no saben bien cual es tu concepto. Otro consejo es que ofrezcas la mayor cantidad de personalización en tu producto como sea posible. Los clientes que entrar a Etsy, están buscando cosas originales y a su gusto. Y lo último y muy importante, es que no mires a tu competencia, pues puede crearte cierta inseguridad en ti misma.
Cuál es el plan de Stephanie Martin de aquí a 5 años?
Bueno, 5 años es mucho tiempo para mi! Pero creo que quiero seguir creciendo mi negocio para poder disfrutar un poco mas de mi tiempo personal y ver el resultado de mi esfuerzo.
Hay algo de lo que quieras hablar que aun no te hemos preguntado?
Creo que hemos cubierto todas las bases!
Inspired to start looking into making your own jewelry or trying your hand at making something with beads? Stephanie Martin also has her own Etsy Shop for beads in all colors and sizes that you can use to make your own creations!
Bluprint has many classes as well as jewelry making tools, charms, beads, and much more. I've used them extensively and love them! You can find my review for bluprint here.
You can also find charms, storage containers, tools, and other jewelry making items at Joann Fabrics, Michaels, and many other places. I'll delving into more about jewelry making later this year :) Stay tuned!
Thank you for joining us with this amazing interview with Stephanie Martin! You can find her stunning jewelry in her Etsy Shop or beads for your next project in her Etsy Shop for beads!
If you have other makers you would recommend for a maker feature or have a tutorial you would be interested in collaborating with me on, please comment below or email me. Other maker features for yarn dyeing, drawing, pattern creation, and more can be found in the Creative Life and tutorials on Yarn Dyeing, Tailwind, Craftsy, Blocking handmade articles and more can be found in Tutorials. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you, and have a wonderful day!