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SubscribeWe were lucky to catch up with Bernadette Clemons recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bernadette thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
Initially I began designing and creating jewelry around 2015, specifically creating Afrocentric necklaces. I fell in love with Afrocentric jewelry after I visited a friend at her place of business which features Afrocentric products of all kinds. I later purchased from her a variety of beads and brass charms, namely because they were all imported from Ghana. The brass beads and symbols were all handmade and crafted by Ghanaian people. I later began designing and creating my necklaces with the beads and the brass Adrinka charms and primarily did private sales. I did that for a few months, however, my professional life became all-encompassing which did not allow time for me to continue with designing the jewelry. Therefore, for a period of five years, I put aside creating jewelry.
My newest collection of jewelry and the emergence of my current small business venture was propelled during COVID. The backstory is during COVID when masks were required; I noticed family and friends would remove their mask, slide the mask on their wrist, or place it in a pocket or bag. Seeing this prompted me to come up with the idea to create a mask chain. The chain resembled a piece of jewelry that could attach to the mask and be worn around the neck. Its versatility allowed it to be used to also secure eyeglasses around the neck. This eliminated the need to contaminate the mask by placing it in a bag or publicly discarding it.
Having an abundance of beads in my inventory from making the Afrocentric necklaces, I used them and began making mask chains as gifts. Family and friends liked my products and were very supportive. This support resulted in several sales and generated disposable income which in-turn I reinvested to expand my inventory.
The exposure from selling mask chains catapulted me to create my current Afrocentric jewelry collection. The backstory behind creating the bracelets is the following: One of my sisters wore her mask chain to a class and her instructor liked what he saw and asked her if I also made bracelets. I did not have a vision of creating bracelet jewelry at that time, but I took on the challenge. I then went online, did research to see how beaded bracelets were constructed, as well as researched other jewelry designer creations to ensure my jewelry would be unique in design. I designed and created two bracelets for her instructor, Thereafter, I sold a few bracelets, however, sales came to a halt after a couple of months, which was some time in April 2022.
I later attended a graduation party in June of 2023 for a friend’s son and noticed that one of the ladies in attendance was wearing beaded bracelets. I mentioned to her that I created beaded jewelry. She shared that she was having an event at her home in the Fall, specifically Labor Day weekend. She asked if I would be interested in selling my jewelry and of course I told her I would welcome the opportunity to showcase my designs. So, with the commitment of accepting her invitation, I planned out for the entire Summer a schedule for creating and designing the bracelets to showcase at her event. I worked on creating the bracelets from July to the end of August 2023 resulting in the creation of 260 handmade bracelets.
The guest at her event loved them. One of her guests in attendance asked if I would be interested in participating in a Buy Black event where other minority owned businesses would be showcasing and selling their products. The event was to take place in December 2023 before the Christmas holiday which gave me two months to prepare. In addition to creating the bracelets and in preparation for the event, I designed signage, promotional materials, ordered display items, labels, etc as well as creating a new collection of 200 bracelets. Hence the vision of Clemons Creations Jewelry was rebirthed.
Since that time, I’ve had to make many adjustments, especially to my promotional materials and the presentation of my collection. I have changed the packaging of my jewelry, the manner in which I display the jewelry and how I promote it on social media. In December of 2023, I had a vision for designing a collection of bracelets exclusively for men called The Clemons Kings Collection, also known as CKC.
Since then, I have participated in four Pop-Up events and I am in the process of setting up an Esty shop online. I have expanded the collection to be more inclusive than specifically Afrocentric jewelry. I’m still working on how to improve my online social media presence. For the most part, people will “LIKE” what they see on my social media page, but sales are low. The majority of my sales have been from the Pop-Up events and some private sales.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
After two careers and three degrees, I am newly retired as a Graphic Designer and Educator who has found a passion for creating and designing jewelry and I love it!.
I have always been a creative person since grade school, however, my academic career as an artist and a creative began in high school. I attended The High School of Art & Design which is a specialized high school in New York City. I majored in Package Design. After graduation from high school, I attended Fashion Institute of Technology, majored in Advertising Design and graduated with a BFA; thereafter, I began my career as a Graphic Designer working multiple jobs in advertising, promotions, design, editorial and production.
Design work was and is my passion. I did a lot of freelance work in addition to my full-time jobs, especially in editorial and working with private design firms doing layout spreads and designing logos. I would also use my talent to create Items such as greeting cards, holiday cards and promotional items during the holidays as a side business.
One of my biggest accomplishments in my career was during my tenure as a Marketing and Graphics Manager at Long Island Rail Road. My creative and leadership contribution was very instrumental in increasing productivity and developing key support materials for various departments throughout the organization. I pared company expenses and increased in-house productivity and efficiency by spearheading the use of technology using the Apple Macintosh system resulting in quicker turnaround times for all internal projects.I also used my creative talents to bring greater awareness of the contributions of African-Americans in the Railroad industry and other historians who made major contributions in history. I designed and created large fixtures with photography throughout different locations in the Long Island Rail Road organization This initiative served as a springboard for other recognition events such as Hispanic Heritage Month and Women’s History Month. While working at the Long Island Rail Road, I began teaching adults in the private sector. I taught layout and design and the Microsoft Office Suite. Thereafter, I worked as an Adjunct Professor at Briarcliff College in Long Island teaching students, design concepts, and layout and design.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One of the things I am most proud of as a creative professional and businessperson is my work ethic and my ability to relate to clients and/or customers in meeting their needs and/or producing a product that they love. My combined experiences in various fields as well as my collaborating with different professionals has helped me to hone my business skills and has enhanced the importance of providing clients and/or a customer with quality products.
I absolutely love designing and creating my jewelry, it is truly a labor of love. I believe the products speak for themselves. In my observations of other types of beaded jewelry, I have not seen anything that looks like my jewelry. and my price point makes my jewelry very affordable for everyone.
I create a quality product which is unique not only because of the materials I use, but my process for creating and designing them. My creations come from a place of love and passion for wanting to produce jewelry that people love and feel connected to. When I am designing a piece, I always have the customer in mind (i.e. how it fits, how it makes them feel and what is the significance of the piece they are wearing.) I want customers to feel good wearing my jewelry and become familiar with my brand. I’m very intentional as to how my jewelry is crafted and why I used certain materials to create a piece. It’s very personal to me.
My goal for continuing this creative journey is to be able to have my jewelry showcased and featured for purchase via a website as well as an Esty online shop. My mission in continuing the expansion of my jewelry collection is to always create a quality product, have a brand which is well recognized, to reach a wider customer base, to have repeat customers, as well as to have my reputation precede me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @clemonscreations14
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