When I first fell in love with jewelry making during a Jewelry 101 course at SCAD, I had no idea what the wider industry was like. Aside from my professors and the wonderful mentor I interned with, I didn’t know any professional jewelry designers, much less anyone associated with related businesses, such as the gemstone market, casting houses, and even the jewelry press. It wasn’t until I was completing my postgraduate certification at the New Approach School for Jewelers that I realized many of my fellow students came from families that had been in the jewelry industry for generations. At first, it was a bit intimidating to discover that I was a newbie entering an industry built on longstanding relationships, but over time I realized that there is so much wisdom to be gained from people who have grown up in the jewelry world.
Here are my top tips for new designers entering the jewelry industry for the first time:
Take Every Opportunity to Connect
Gallery 209 has been supporting artisan jewelry makers in Savannah for over 45 years. As a cooperative, it has deep ties to the local community. When the folks at Gallery 209 gave me my first opportunity to break into art and jewelry retail, it wasn’t because we knew the same people or had a family connection. They simply loved my jewelry and wanted to see me thrive. From there, I was able to start branching out and connecting with more individuals in the industry.
Everyone I’ve met has been so encouraging and willing to introduce me to others and grow my network. While thriving in the jewelry industry may have a lot to do with who you know, that’s simply because people who don’t know you can’t help you. The more connections you make, the more support you will have.
Build Your References
I recently attended the Atlanta Jewelry Show and met tons of amazing new vendors, many of whom required references for new jewelry designer clients especially for memos. In the past, I hadn’t made a priority of growing my reference list, because I’d always worked with people I already knew or bought outright. This experience changed my perspective. In this industry, we’re often dealing with extremely valuable materials and making agreements on little more than a handshake. It’s important that people be able to trust each other.
Personally, I prefer to work with small family businesses such as my own when sourcing materials, rather than ordering from mega online retailers. This means it’s incredibly important to grow my list of references. Treat everyone you meet with respect and never burn any bridges. You never know when you will need someone to vouch for your business.
Work Together
Early on in my professional career, I believed that my independent jewelry business was in competition with traditional brick-and-mortar jewelry stores. To some extent, that is true.
However, over time I’ve come to realize that there is a symbiotic relationship between my work and the work of some of the longstanding jewelry retailers in my area. When clients come to me requesting jewelry repairs, or looking for designs outside my particular aesthetic, I often direct them to a local family-operated jewelry store. In the future, I would love to build a relationship with a local retailer looking to provide more custom options to their customers. Through this partnership, my style of work can complement, rather than detract from, the traditional jewelry store model.
Listen and Share Wisdom
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of listening to and learning from individuals who have spent their entire lives in the jewelry industry. While I certainly learned a lot of practical skills in school, everything I learned about navigating the world of jewelry has been passed down from people who were there before me. Learning from the previous generations of jewelry makers has opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. Their kindness and wisdom continue to impact my business in positive ways.
In turn, I feel responsible for passing on wisdom to the next generation, through paid internships in my studio, mentorships, and workshops. Even though I still consider myself a newbie, I’m not as new as I once was. There is still plenty of information to share with others coming up behind me.
Innovate
No industry can survive without growth. As valuable as generational wisdom is, the jewelry industry needs fresh new faces with new visions. You can absolutely respect what has come before you while valuing yourself and what you bring to the table. In fact, the more creativity and innovation you bring, the more the longtime industry members will want to welcome you with open arms. Ultimately, we all need to lean on each other to be successful. Get creative and never stop dreaming.
From one jewelry industry newbie to another, welcome to the family!
