We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kimberly Weaver a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I am very happy when I get to use my creative skills. I enjoy makings things with my hands, bringing visions to life, and creating pieces that tell a story. There’s something really special about being able to craft something from nothing, and turn it into a piece that people find value in. It makes me very happy to be a small part of the special moments in peoples’ lives, like when they’re buying something for a loved one’s special day, choosing a piece of jewelry to remember their vacation, or getting a custom piece for a milestone in their life. Most days, I wake up excited to do my job, which is really a blessing!
The thought of “what would it be like to have a regular job” has certainly crossed my mind. Like any job, being a small business owner has its fair share of struggles. Rising material costs, weather-dependent sales at markets, inconsistent income, scaling, the list goes on. The way I see it is, some of these circumstances I simply can’t change, but I can change how I react to them. So if the metal prices are going to continue to rise, then maybe I will pivot in terms of materials I use or create a new line of products entirely. I can’t control the weather, but I can work on building a stronger online presence so I don’t have to go to markets as much. For me, the pros of creative freedom, making my own schedule, and building connections with people outweigh the cons, and at this point, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey y’all! My name is Kimberly Weaver, I’m from Myrtle Beach, SC and I’m the heart and hands behind Kimmy’s Handmade! I got into jewelry making as a kid, and have always been interested in a variety of crafts from ceramics, to painting, to sewing, and more. During the pandemic, I was spending a lot more time at home and picked up jewelry making again- this time swapping the pony beads and rubber bands for gemstones and pearls. I started my business as a sophomore biochemistry student as a way of exploring my creative interests and hopefully making some money in the process. Throughout my time there, I also worked at Target as a cashier/style team member and as a lab assistant on campus. Part of what I learned from that was, I like flexibility, change of pace, and knowing there is a bigger purpose behind my work. After I graduated, I struggled to find a job that satisfied these desires and decided it was time to pivot. I really wanted to know what would happen if I pursued my creative interests full time and felt called to try it. It really was something spiritual- like this is part of a bigger story and a necessary chapter in it. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been, so I thought, what better time than now? From there, I started traveling around the Grand Strand, attending farmers markets, festivals, and various other events to share my work and have been doing that ever since!
Kimmy’s Handmade offers gemstone, shell, and pearl jewelry and accessories, inspired by the earth and sea. Each piece is thoughtfully designed and crafted with care, right here in South Carolina by one gal on her travels along the coast! Shells and shark teeth I use are collected on the beaches of South Carolina and Florida, each carried by the ocean’s tides. Natural gemstones tell their own story, with their formation over thousands of years, unique colors, and locations they can be found around the world. Each item is a celebration of the beauty of the earth and the transformative journey of the materials from sand/sea to a wearable/decorative piece of art. So if you’re looking for something nature-inspired with personalized meaning, then you’ve found the right place!
Staying true my values- authenticity, intentional creation, and community, is at the heart of Kimmy’s Handmade. My goal is to create pretty things, make people feel seen and appreciated, and give back to local charities while doing it!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! Giving back adds another laying of purpose behind my work. The goal behind Kimmy’s Handmade is to not only serve as a creative outlet for me to make a living but also to spread awareness for charitable causes in our community. Every season, I pick a charity to donate 5% of proceeds to. I interact with hundreds of people at some markets, and it’s a great way to help these organizations get the word out and for customers to become a part of something that reaches beyond their purchase. I’ve had other vendors come to me and ask if they can “steal my idea” of doing donations, and I always say of course! That’s what it’s about- the more, the merrier!
There are many ways to support artists/creatives. On a societal level, we can advocate to remove barriers for small businesses to help them form and grow. For example, to sell at markets in SC, you need a state retail license and a license for each city you sell in. So doing business in Myrtle Beach, Surfside, Charleston, North Charleston, Ladson, etc. all require their own license, with each one varying in price and requiring annual renewal. For those that travel for their business, a universal, simplified license would make a meaningful difference, especially for businesses that are just getting started.
On an individual level, support can be shown in many ways, even when it’s not possible to make a purchase. Many artists are very passionate about their creations, so even just engaging by asking questions about what we make and the process behind the work means a lot! On social media, a simple like, share, comment, and especially a review can go a long way to help us grow and reach new audiences.
In addition, choosing slow, intentional consumption over fast-fashion helps keep the money circulating within local communities, supports fair pricing for handmade work, and cuts waste that is often the byproduct of mass-production. Shopping small helps lessen negative environmental impact, encourages ethical production, quality craftsmanship, and originality. Lastly, showing up, whether online or at events, helps build the connections that make our work fulfilling and possible!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kimmyshandmade.com
- Instagram: @kimmyshandmade
- Facebook: kimmyshandmadejewelry
- Other: email: kimmyshandmade@gmail.com
