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

Amber, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Follwing your passion and using your talent to create for others can be a rewarding and profitable career.

Amber, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started with a passion for Jewelery. My first job in the industry was at 18 when I was in a mall with jewelers in the window of a store. I would watch them and thought if this place ever had a job opening, that where I would love to work. That day happened and I was hired, to work in the office. Every spare moment I was in the shop asking questions. The shop decided that they had things I could help with, and at a bench I started to learn the craft. At 19 I carved my first custom wax of a ring they cast it into gold, set a diamond into it and it sold. My passion was sealed into the Kelley business. Being able to design with customers stones that may have been inherited or to sell a stone that a customer always wanted and design something that can be worn, loved and eventually passed down, is a gift. Being able to yell a customer about the history of things they may have or help them find the stone of their dreams is rewarding.

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

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a jeweler is the ability to hear the stories of people’s lives and create from those stores and Jewels that they have into a new piece is jewelry. Being able to continue the tradition of memories fashioned into something that can be worn and passed down.

To be able to get into this business was not easy as I was not born into a family of jewelers as I am now the first generation. Being young and a female in a predominantly male dominated field was a definite challenge. Perseverance and my pain prevailed.

Being an artist does not make you a good business person. The creative side of the brain is definitely on the opposite side of analytical side. Being a good business person and making decisions that will help you grow can be one of the most challenging. Being able to say no to things that could drain your bank account and knowing when to say yes, that will help you grow can be a cloudy area for the creative thinker.

If you have a goal, add in mine to be able to pass down a successful business to family that as the same vision as you, and they can make a comfortable living is a legacy I want to achieve. At first I wanted to learn the craft of jewelry making. Then be recognized for my achievements. Helping other organizations gain from my craft is another rewarding aspect, the local charities and schools. Now to have something physical that can continue to grow and educate as well as pass down what I learned to others, is a gift.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

In the ever changing evolution of Jewelery and Jewelry business I have had to evolve with it. Advertising was primarily magazine and telephone books. No one uses a paper telephone book to find a business. They use social media. We all use it and are greatly influenced by what we see. Getting my message out there is a challenge but also can be fun. Not shy of the camera and being yourself only exemplifies the true sense of what I and my team can do. We truly are a rare commodity in our industry as we are truly jewelers, and can manufacture, not just a merchant in the jewelry business.

Contact Info:

• Website: Ambersdesigns.com
• Instagram: Ambersdesignsfinejewelry
• Facebook: Ambersdesignsfinejewelry
• Linkedin: Ambersdesigns
• Yelp: Ambersdesignsfinejewelry

Image Credits
Kelly Sweet photography