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

Jane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I started making jewelry as a creative outlet after leaving the garment industry as an evening wear designer and moving to So. FL. After a few months of creating, I met a woman who I immediately clicked with. Upon seeing my jewelry, she was very impressed & proposed hosting a jewelry party in her home, to which she invited her friends whom I did not know. I invited my friends, & I made my first sales at this party. This event gave me the confidence that my new found hobby could turn into a legitimate business, and it has been growing steadily for the last five years.

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

I started out making jewelry as a hobby when a bead store in Delray Beach was closing, & I purchased $800 worth of beads for $100! I started attending bead shows & now buy many components online. I like to create necklaces, earrings, & bracelets using unusual combinations of beads & findings. I often utilize other artisans work into my pieces, such as pendants made by Balinese & Tibetan silver artisans, ceramic pieces made by an Eastern European artist, & copper charms by a Northern Ireland artist. This gives me a uniqueness & benefits other artisans. I also utilize vintage trims from my fashion designer days, such as tassels, antique buttons & buckles, etc. to give my pieces a modern vintage look. I also often times work with my clients to update & modernize their own vintage, heirloom pieces to make them more wearable for todays trends. I am very honored that I have become the go to resource for gifts that my many friends & repeat customers give to others, thus exposing me to more potential customers. I like meeting & working with people at holiday fairs & other events where I sell my jewelry.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Along with most other artists, the pandemic was a challenge, as many trade shows & opportunities to sell directly to the public were closed down. I had to rely on my website and my Etsy site for most of my sales. Many of my clients continued to support me, which was so gratifying. I focused a lot of energy onto my Instagram page in the hopes of broadening my exposure. I have built a nice community of other jewelry designers who are all so supportive of one another.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I left the fashion industry in Los Angeles, I starting working with my husband who had worked in the women’s high fashion shoe industry his whole career. We tried the experiment of working & traveling together, & to our surprise we enjoyed the 24/7 experience. It was a real switch from us having separate careers for so many years. Thus I learned a lot about women’s shoes, learned how to sell directly to the customer at trade shows, & became even more computer proficient. It was a wonderful learning process & transition from my fashion designer background. Ironically, it was the shoe business connection that I shared with my new friend who hosted my first jewelry party & got me started in the jewelry business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janemccartneyjewelry.com
• Instagram: Jane_mccartneyjewelry
• Facebook: Jane McCartney Jewelry
• Other: Etsy-https://www.etsy.com/shop/JaneMcCartneyJewelry?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Image Credits
Portrait by Debra Somerville Photography