We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erin Cagney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Erin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

I believe that my parents did many things right. What helps provide more of an understanding of what that means is that at the root of all of the things that my parents did was their unconditional love and support. Which they still happily give today. Ultimately, those two things helped prepare and shape me to navigate life, make tough decisions and to pursue my dreams and goals. Initially, I floundered a lot throughout some years unsure of exactly what I wanted in life. My parents belief in me that I would figure it out had always helped me gain the confidence that I needed to know that I can walk myself through whatever life may bring me – and that is unbelievably valuable to me. As an introvert it takes a bit more for me to come out of my shell or to share new ideas and special moments with people so having that safe zone has really contributed to helping me grow into who I am today. My parents encouraged me in their own ways to try new things or to take risks in life. And if it wasn’t the best risk to take? We talk about it, change directions and try again. I went from working at a terrible sales job to completing a science degree to marrying an incredibly intelligent, kind and supportive man to starting Dulce Boutique Shop. Each step that it took to get here obviously required lots of huge decisions that were not always easy to make but I am grateful for each one. The support that my loved ones have provided me can help me move mountains. Among other things, my parents have also been great examples of patience and incredible work ethic without compromising who they are as individuals. My mom, an accomplished artist and traveler. And my dad, an admirable leader and forever adventurer.
I believe that we can be teachers and students. We can learn to listen and allow ourselves to change for the better while helping guide one another along the way. Both my mom and and my dad have been excellent teachers throughout this life and have provided me with so many tools that I will continue to use on my own path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a self-taught artist with a science background in zoology. I began designing jewelry as a hobby while I pursued working with animals months before the pandemic. There are a couple of things that I specialize in which are designing gold jewelry and handmaking earrings using the medium, polymer clay. The idea of creating jewelry actually came to me while out shopping for jewelry as I tried to find styles that spoke to me.

As the pandemic continued I wanted to carry on using my creative energy that later turned into a full-time career. Within about one year I had launched Dulce Boutique Shop from the ground up. Another year later it has since gained momentum which has truly been wonderful to watch grow.

Personally, when it comes to shopping my “musts” are finding styles that outlast temporary trends and that can be flexible with everyday outfits. Creating feminine jewelry pieces that are not only one-of-a-kind but versatile for any occasions is what truly inspires my designs. Just because our plans transition from day to night does not mean that our accessories that we love to wear have to either. My greatest advice to any new customer shopping with DBS is to not wait for a special occasion to wear your new piece(s)! Wear your jewelry with confidence in your comfiest clothes at home, running errands and spending time with the people that you love. Really, each design is intended for you to have fun accenting your style or trying new ones. Just think, you will be the only person in the world with your design; it will be as unique as you are!

Owning a business can be tough and at times we can be our own worst critics. Since the success of DBS relies on my creativity, I have learned ways to juggle my own criticism while allowing myself room to make mistakes. I learn to love each design flaw or at minimum, appreciate it. This is vital for my work because running DBS is constant trial and error in designing. This leads me into explaining one of my proudest accomplishments as a jewelry designer and business owner: where DBS is now! I have had the honor of having Dulce Boutique Shop featured in magazines and throughout the polymer clay and maker community on social media. It has opened new doors for me but most importantly has made all of the hard work behind the scenes worth every frustration and every success worth it. Being a business owner and reaching people solely on the internet brings its challenges but it also allows me to build great relationships with customers, supporters and other fabulous makers in the craft community.

Know that when you choose to shop with Dulce Boutique Shop you are purchasing carefully designed, quality, lightweight jewelry that took hours (and sometimes, even days) to execute. And no two designs are the same! Every single piece is made and assembled with love and care.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That there is a right way to do things. Life has shown me that there actually isn’t. I thought that as I grew up I had to somehow find ways to fit into a lot of societal norms only to later realize that living in a way that has suited me best rather than how I am expected to is just as fabulous of a way to live.

For example, it took me almost a decade after high school to find out what I wanted to study to decide that college was the next choice for me whereas most graduates chose to attend college right after high school. In hindsight, my focus and determination at the age of 17 was in a much different place than where it was at 25 years old when I enrolled myself into college. After that I worked full time, sometimes with two jobs, and juggled my studies for the next five years. I don’t regret any of those choices and they actually challenged me in ways that I’ll always be grateful for. I have met so many others along this journey that have shared similar stories of how they essentially went against the grain of what society typically expects us to follow who live very happy lives.
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To me, even the smallest of choices come down to each individual’s own lifestyle and that took me a very long time to figure out. What life may look like for someone at the time of any given decision can look totally different from the next person’s situation who is facing the same decision. So there is no “right” or “wrong” decision being made if the choice you make is the best option for your life at that time. No two paths are exactly the same and that is what I believe makes everyone special in their own way. It helps me feel unique in a such a large world too.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Although I may not be quite sure of what my official reputation is in the jewelry market or among the creative world I believe that staying transparent and true to myself has helped build and maintain it.

I think anyone coming into the creative market can easily get caught up in the chase to success and what the next trend is. Personally, I love working with my hands, so when I began designing and crafting jewelry I wanted to keep that same feeling with each design that I made. Sticking to similar techniques and styles that my hands love making but also trying new ones continue to bring me that same joy. For instance, I stay true to keeping my gold jewelry designs minimalistic, timeless and practical for everyday use. When I make a pair of my signature polymer clay earrings I use vibrant colors and intricate, floral details and they are all super lightweight no matter their size. My customers know what they are getting when they purchase their jewelry with me. From high quality metals for the most sensitive of skin to dazzling, precision cut, Swarovski crystals. I want people to feel feminine and beautiful as they accent all of their features when they wear Dulce Boutique Shop. Maintaining high standards and caring about the quality of my jewelry is so important because those are the characteristics that I always look for when I shop from other brands. I want my customers to share that same experience.

As an added note; being kind-it goes a long way. To be the only employer and employee of Dulce Boutique Shop times can get frustrating with mail carrier speeds or communication can easily get lost. You can really say anything and still be kind about it- it makes a lasting impression. One of my proudest reviews was that I am one of the nicest and the most relatable maker that someone had met. I do have the kindest and most thoughtful customers!

By remaining transparent, kind and true to myself I hope to keep DBS’s reputation in the jewelry market a happy one and for me personally in the creative world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DulceBoutiqueShop.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Dulce.Boutique.Shop
• Facebook: @cagneyerin
• Other: Pinterest: @DulceBoutiqueShop