We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Courtney McClure. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Courtney below.

Courtney, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I really love the name of my business–Wanderlust Designs Jewelry. Years ago, when my kids were little, we did quite a bit of traveling in our camper. Each new area we visited, I would always find inspiration for my work, whether it was new colorways, textures, or patterns I wanted to try out. I love the word “wanderlust.” It evokes happiness and curiosity for me. So it seemed a natural fit for my business name. The name continues to work for me and helps inspire me forward to my goals of traveling the country to participate in art festivals.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I create unique, handcrafted jewelry with a boho flair! My grandmother (Meme) loved to use the term “wearable art” and it is definitely a goal of mine for everything I make to be a piece of wearable art rather than just jewelry. I never exactly replicate anything I make–each piece is a true one of a kind! Although I’m always trying new ideas, I would say that I have a few signature collections, including my beaded fringe earrings, feather earrings, hammered brass and gemstone earrings, my Boho Bangle bracelets, and jewelry cut from vintage tins. I love to combine interesting textures and unexpected color combinations. I also love using textiles in my jewelry. I have a lot of people tell me that wearing my jewelry just makes them happy, and that is what I’m most proud of! To make something that makes someone else feel happy and beautiful is an amazing feeling!

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes! I have always loved making jewelry and have been doing so since I was a little girl. I did some craft fairs on the side when I was a teenager and had a few boutiques that carried my jewelry. After I got married and became a mother to my 2 amazing kids, jewelry making took more of a backseat to raising my family. As the kids started getting a bit older, I had more time to make jewelry, more as a hobby that generated a little extra folding money on the side. I sold jewelry at weekend market events and did some smaller craft fairs. It’s grown and evolved over the years to be a full time job for me and I’m so very thankful! I sell at many semi-local art festivals in the Atlanta area and online now. I’m working towards the goal of being able to travel the country to participate in art festivals once my youngest goes off to college in a few years.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I have met so many lovely people within my market–both customers and other creatives! I think what has helped me is just consistently showing up as my authentic self. I truly LOVE everything that I make. I don’t follow trends and I know my jewelry isn’t for everyone. But the people who love it, really love it. My customers know that each piece is one of a kind so they keep coming back to see what new things I have made since the last time they saw me. I am so thankful for those that keep showing up and supporting me, that enjoy my work, that have shared kind words, stories, smiles, and hugs with me, follow me on social media, send their hudbands to me for birthday and Christmas gift ideas, and so much more! My customers feel like friends to me and I am so deeply appreciative of them!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wanderlustdesignsjewelry.com
• Instagram: @wanderlust_designs_jewelry
• Facebook: Facebook.com/wanderlustdesignsjewelry