We recently connected with Grace Turner and have shared our conversation below.

Grace, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In 2019, I was halfway through my third year as a healthcare recruiter, feeling fulfilled and continually challenged by the work. I loved the company I worked for and the team I was part of, and I was thriving in my career. My day-to-day attire was corporate, professional, and…admittedly a bit dull. My wardrobe was filled with neutrals and basics—safe choices that reflected the polished environment of my office. But on weekends, I’d shop for vibrant, unique accessories, especially earrings, in an attempt to add a splash of personality to my otherwise monochrome outfits.

Unfortunately, every pair I bought ended up being too heavy or made with metals that irritated my skin. I’d put them on in the morning with excitement, only to find myself with a pounding headache or puffy ears by midday. These accessories were supposed to be fun, but they were quickly becoming a frustrating, painful reminder that most jewelry wasn’t made for everyday comfort. By Memorial Day weekend that year, I was ready for a change. With no plans for the long weekend, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try making earrings myself.

I scoured DIY jewelry tutorials of all mediums, but nothing really spoke to me until I stumbled on a video teaching the basics of making polymer clay earrings. There was something refreshing about the simplicity of it all—just colorful clay and my own two hands. I showed the video to my husband, who grinned and encouraged me to go for it. The next morning, I dashed off to the local craft store and loaded up on materials.

That weekend, our kitchen turned into a tiny jewelry studio. I fumbled through the process, laughed with my husband over my mishaps, and admired each attempt. By the end of the weekend, I had created a small handful of earrings that were uniquely me: geometric, colorful, and best of all, lightweight. I immediately snapped a picture and sent it to my sister, a college student with impeccable style. Her response was almost instant: she loved them! Even better, her sorority friends were obsessed with the pieces and wanted their own.

That’s when the idea hit me. Could I actually make a business out of this? At first, I brushed it off. I had a job I loved, after all, and this was just supposed to be a weekend project to save me from more disappointing trips to the store. But the idea wouldn’t leave. I’d always enjoyed creating, and maybe this could be the creative outlet I’d been craving.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind. Every evening, I’d come home from work and dive into creating my first collection of earrings. My husband helped with every aspect from branding and packaging, to photography and inventory. My sister, mom and cousins were my original models – I still cherish those photos. We brainstormed names, and I decided to name each pair after someone who had positively impacted my life. It was a meaningful way to add a personal touch to each piece.

In June of 2019, I made my first sale. My dad bought a pair I’d named after my late grandma Dot, for my mom. She still keeps them as a memento, even though my skills have come a long way since then. The encouragement I received from my family, friends, and colleagues was overwhelming. The company I worked for was wonderfully supportive, and even some of my coworkers became early customers, cheering me on as I expanded my little side project.

What started off as selling earrings to friends and friends of friends, quickly became a widespread interest that spanned throughout the US as I put my styles up for sale on Etsy and ran small booths at local markets. For a while, I balanced both my roles—the corporate professional by day and the passionate creator by night/weekend. I poured every free moment into designing new pieces, photographing them, and growing my Instagram presence. Most nights I would work until the wee hours of the morning, grab a few hours of shut eye before going to work the next morning. By May of 2022, it became clear that my passion had grown into something much bigger than I’d anticipated. With my husband’s unwavering support, I made the bittersweet decision to leave the job I’d once thought I’d stay in forever. I had to give my all to Grace & Good.

Today, Grace & Good has blossomed into something I never could have dreamed of that Memorial Day weekend in 2019. My journey began with headaches from poorly made earrings but led to an entirely new life. Now, I get to create beautiful, meaningful, and lightweight pieces for people to enjoy every day, and I’m so grateful for each moment that brought me here.

Grace, 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?

My name is Grace Turner, and I’m the owner and creator of Grace & Good, where I handcraft polymer clay earrings that have found homes both locally here in Oregon and all across the U.S. Since launching my business five and a half years ago, I’ve had the joy of creating earrings for over 15,000 customers. Grace & Good has become known for the unique, lightweight designs—a true win for anyone who knows the frustration of heavy earrings tugging on their ears or only being able to wear certain pairs occasionally.

I can’t tell you how many customers have told me that finding lightweight, comfortable earrings was a total game-changer for them. Whether they have sensitive ears, a previously torn earlobe, or just can’t handle the weight of most earrings, my pieces offer them a way to accessorize without pain. And it’s not just about function—the earrings come in over 100 varieties, with new collections regularly, especially around the holidays, so there’s always something fresh and exciting to discover.

Every day, I’m so grateful for the loyal, creative, and encouraging customers who support Grace & Good. They’re constantly inspiring me with new ideas and motivating me to keep exploring and innovating. I genuinely love what I do, and I’m beyond lucky to do it for the wonderful people who make up my community.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I launched Grace & Good by diving straight into Instagram, and I think my success in building and keeping a strong following comes down to two main factors. First, I was lucky with timing: I started just as people were really getting into polymer clay earrings and actively searching for them online. Back then, there weren’t many businesses meeting that demand, so Grace & Good quickly popped up for anyone looking for handmade, lightweight earrings.

The second key has been daily engagement. Instagram is my main business tool, and I treat it as my priority. I love giving my followers fresh content to look forward to, sharing behind-the-scenes peeks, and responding to their messages and comments. I try to make my Instagram a place where followers feel genuinely connected to my work and excited about each new collection.

Between that perfect timing and daily connection, my audience has grown steadily—and they keep coming back. I’ve learned it’s all about finding the best tool for you and putting your whole heart into making it work.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’ve discovered that in-person markets are the best way for me to connect with new customers who actually stick around, engage, and come back to shop again. Whether it was starting out by doing one market a month or now doing one almost every week, these events have been amazing for building loyal relationships. Meeting customers face-to-face lets me introduce them to my work in a way that just can’t happen online.

At each market, I encourage people to follow me on Instagram or bookmark my website, and many of them end up becoming repeat customers. I’ve even met some wholesale buyers this way—they get to see my pieces up close, fall in love with the details, and often reach out for larger orders. These markets have become one of my favorite parts of running Grace & Good!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://graceandgoodshop.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/graceandgood
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graceandgoodearrings/
• Other: Etsy: etsy.com/shop/graceandgood

Image Credits

Grace Turner – Grace & Good Creator and Owner