We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Gavarian (Heinemann) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alicia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I was taught by my Grandmother Mary (Grammy) how to bead in middle school. She taught me things from how to pick out good quality beads, how to thread and design necklaces, and what qualities to look for in essential parts of a piece of jewelry. One essential part I always assess is the clasps. There are many different types and ways they should securely hold your jewelry. A good quality clasps will not loosen or open without knowing. I have practiced making jewelry for years but it wasn’t until the summer of 2022 I became interested and started working with polymer clay. In September 2022 I decided to finally pursue my dream and open my boutique jewelry shop, AccentsByAl. I still dabble in all types of jewelry making and am always excited to learn new skills.

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

I am a full time Science Teacher with a background in Geology. I enjoy expressing myself and what I view as beautiful through my jewelry pieces. I have an appreciation and love of minerals, rocks and fossils and I find it amazing how our planet can naturally make beautiful things. This is what inspired my gemstone pieces. For my polymer clay and glass bead pieces, I am drawn to bright colors and florals, trying to mimic the beautiful colors and forms I see in nature. I love having an outlet in which I get to create something and its even better that my artwork can be worn. I am proud of myself for finally starting my small business after wanting to do so for many years. It has been and continues to be challenging, but the amount of joy it brings me to create and share my pieces with others is worth it! My jewelry pieces are light weight, one of a kind, and affordable (no single item over $40.00). Jewelry is one way people can express themselves and their individuality, which is why comfort, affordability and each piece being one of a kind, is important to me. Every one of my jewelry pieces has a story, whether it is a piece with natural stones or a man-made piece inspired by nature.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The best advice I get is from other artists and small business owners I meet at the markets I attend in person and online. It is a very welcoming community and small business owners I have found to be one of the most open minded and supportive groups. Everyone remembers starting their business and the struggles that someone can encounter. But talking with my market neighbors and other small businesses I follow and talk with online through instagram, I have been able to gain confidence in trying new things with my shop and have gotten insight how to organize and run a business.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

One of the best things people can do to support artists and small business is to share with others what you like about their business. This can be done by liking a post, following on social media, sharing a business card and displaying what purchases you love from a shop.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/accentsbyal
• Instagram: AccentsByAl
• Other: Email: heinemannalicia@gmail.com

Image Credits
Alicia Gavarian (Heinemann) Founder and Owner of AccentsByAl