We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Hendrickson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Not every business idea starts at 4 am, but mine did. I started Hendrickson Handmade (HH) during the pandemic (AKA small business boom). Originally, I had started with embroidery and wanted to expand to handmade crafts/different mediums. One sleepless night, I was stuck in a Youtube rabbit hole and found a video on how to make polymer clay earrings. What started as an overnight clay curiosity, turned into over 100 pairs of earrings later. Polymer clay sparked a new challenge as I learned about: conditioning, ways to shape the clay, baking temperatures, sanding, drilling, assembling- and much more. Along with learning the craft, I had to lean into my entrepreneurial spirit and all the nuisances of running a business. It’s been almost four years, and through numerous mentors, community Facebook groups, and tutorials- I’ve been able to sharpen my knowledge of jewelry making.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Polymer clay jewelry is widely known for its light weight, which not only allows for longer wear and comfort but also allows anyone the chance to play around with statement pieces. In my own life, I have always gravitated to bigger earrings or a pop of color, starting young with my checkered skinny jeans in 7th grade. I now find myself playing with asymmetrical looks and brighter colors, returning to a nostalgic time when I allowed myself to wear loud, bold items without fear of judgment.

The mission statement for HH is, “Be Bold. Be wild. Be you.” This has been the core of my artist journey as I expand into new patterns or color combinations because pink and red do belong together. I hope people can find a piece they love with HH and explore outside their own comfort zone. It’s much easier to change an earring than to change the whole outfit, so allowing ourselves the freedom to play is a central component of my brand, no matter how wild it may feel. I have a wide variety of earring styles, from simpler studs to larger patterns, in hopes that everyone can find something that makes them feel bold.

I’m excited to use my brand to bring forward awareness for ITP, a rare autoimmune disorder that I personally was diagnosed with. Every September, I share my own story about ITP and how hidden illnesses have many intricacies. I keep the ITP Story saved on my platform so people can learn throughout the year. It’s important that I stay honest with myself (“Be You”), and ITP has been a major component ever since I was diagnosed.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As an educator, we say that teaching was all about the “light bulb moment,” when an idea finally struck. That same feeling of excitement can also be found in people’s reactions when they see an earring that makes them smile or in an online shopping cart checkout. Sometimes, a funky piece like peach dangles will make someone laugh and say, “I absolutely have to have this!” or “Oh my gosh, Erin will love this!” That moment when they connect with the piece is the most rewarding aspect of creation. It makes me feel incredibly validated and inspired to continue, knowing that someone loves my art.

I hope that the jewelry I create brightens not only one person’s day but also the day of everyone who crosses their path. At the end of the day, everyone should feel beautiful in what they wear, and being the added accessory that pulls the look together or is the fun statement star is a plus. My sincere aim is to uplift others through my art and leave them with a smile, always.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There is something to be learned from everyone. My curiosity outweighed my hesitancy in meeting new people and listening to alternative perspectives. I kept a lot of ideas to myself at first, which was a majority of trial and error. However, opening my brand up to those around me for their input during the creative process helped evolve HH even more. I had friends and followers on Instagram sharing via Polls/Open about style choices or what aesthetics they hoped to see. This caused me to look at my own product from a fresher perspective, and that resource was on the other side of the phone.

Once I began going to more markets, I learned the additional resources around me in the form of other makers. I wish I had consulted with them sooner, as they helped me with my market display and gave me fun ideas to incorporate. Meeting other makers also led to unexpected collaborations, such as when my small business bestie, Julie (juliesjewelscorp), and I joined forces with our plant items for a fun giveaway. Even last week, my market neighbor was a soap-making company (Clay Cactus Soapery), and we exchanged ideas and knowledge for six hours. By building authentic relationships and connections, I have gained a wealth of ideas and business strategies to try.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hendricksonhandmade.com/
• Instagram: @hendricksonhandmade
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hendricksonhandmade

Image Credits

Credit to Amanda Barker Photography