Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Di Paolo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

When speaking to the jewelry and wellness space, I originally got into the jewelry through working for Winners (TJMAXX). I did not like the retail floor at all. Once they opened up the jewelry counter, I felt an immense pull. I got a part-time position there and read every single book on the counter to be able to rapidly gain the knowledge I needed to be able to speak to that field. Within six months I was recognized by a manager at Mappins/Peoples, That began my journey in jewelry. I spent 5 years becoming certified in fine jewelry and gemstones. After my journey in the fine jewelry industry, I began my own healing journey with a coach. After working diligently on myself and understanding the correlation to esoteric and eastern principles; my love for jewelry met the healing arts. I learned the power of gemstones and the effect they have on the body and mind. I then began to start my own private practice (coaching) and my jewelry company, Quartz & Canary.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I personally coach on a motivational level. Combining scientific and spiritual knowledge to better support my clients. Quartz & Canary does the same thing! We offer semi-precious quality jewelry that supports each clients wellness from a place of love. Our product is unique and often revered as a staple for the fashion and spiritual realm meeting in one place. I have used my traditional knowledge and jewelry craftsmanship to create pieces of luxury, sustainability, style and most importantly healing. We are a company that prides ourselves on affordability and quality. We are also leaders in collections that are completely new, and untapped. The world has not yet has a collection of angel pendants such as our Archangel Collection. Our Bamboo buddhas are ones of the only house made, not mass produced, natural jade buddhas to have been made in Canada. Q&C has a strong basis on inclusive hiring and local and overseas craftsmanship. Our goal is to continuously perfect our sustainability and style!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In March of 2020, I had a distinct feeling that I was going to be the first out of the others in my office to lose my job. Being in the sports industry at that specific time was bleak. The state of the world was dictating that would be a non-existent industry shortly. My company Quartz & Canary at the time was very limited with respect to my attention. This position had taken a lot of out of me, it was an intense role with high rewards (sports position). Unfortunately, the finances had dwindled because my focus was elsewhere rather than Q&C. On March 18th I lost my job. I had a mortgage to support along with my business that desperately needed me. That same night I felt a very strong pull that this was my time to shine. No matter how hard it would be to do this on my own – I had my incredible ability to be resourceful, my skills and artistic talents were a force to be reckoned with. Or at least that’s what I would tell myself every morning.

I knew by instinct only this was my time to shine. Quartz & Canary had an opportunity to make history, I knew that much. Call me crazy, but growing a business in a pandemic with almost no income was something I was truly scared and excited to do. No one knew more than I did the potential that I had. As much as Q&C is it’s own entity, I knew I was going to be the force to see it through. The path was not easy but I had a strategy, support and inventory to make magic happen.

By the end of 2020 we had doubled our following, tripled our revenue and been offered major collaborations with companies and magazines throughout North America. Although several other “corporate” opportunities knocked at my door – I never waivered, no matter how scared I was. And I was scared but quite sure all at the same time!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I would have renounced by university degree(s) and all of the post graduate attempts I had made and go back to an arts school. Jewelry design with a minor in spiritual study (or some esoteric schooling) would have been my first choice. At one point I pursued law school and behavioral sciences. Although both are valuable, looking back, my intention was to help people. My call was deep and my ability to create was even deeper. I believe we’re steadily indoctrinated to go to school…find higher education or embark on a career that really makes money. Many of us spend our entire lives looking for a purpose and a path but never find it. I would select what I’m doing right now – every single time. I wouldn’t want to have all of these gifts and the love I have for art or business to have been drown by something I felt I “should” do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://quartzandcanary.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quartzandcanary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quartzandcanary
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@quartzandcanary https://www.pinterest.ca/QuartzandCanary/

Image Credits
Amanda Shear Photo Image Is of one of our Models wearing 2022’s collection. https://amandashearphoto.com/