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

Kalin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I try and take several vacations throughout the year. I love to go anywhere that involves outdoors, that’s where a lot of my creativity comes from. Getting away from my studio for a week really helps me get more inspirational every time I come back. Helps clear my mind.

Kalin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kalin Cierra Mott and I’m the owner and creator of Cierra Sunrise Studio, I wanted to use my middle name cause my mom has always thought my middle name would be a part of a nickname in my life, but it never was so using it is a special part of my brand knowing that my mom gave me that middle name for a reason.

I’m originally from Stillwater, OK, a small collage town. Grew up out in the country and spent all my life play outside and with my friends, caring for animals, doing all kinds of art, and playing sports. I started doing jewelry when I was about 8 years old, and that was just bead work. I feel in love with the idea of wearing very unique pieces. All the women in my family have pieces from their ancestors and pieces they got from traveling the world. They always wore so much jewelry and that’s where I got my idea of wanting to create something that no one has. One of my favorite pieces that I made when I was younger was made out of small twigs from my backyard and I added beads to it and made them earrings. I wore that piece every day and I was so proud of myself because I knew I would be the only one that would have a piece like them. My parents ended up having to get me a huge tub to put all my thousands of different kinds of beads that I had collected.

I went to Kansas City Art institute after High school cause another thing growing up that I loved doing was painting and drawing. I always loved drawing portraits of my family and friends. So, I went Collage there and majored in painting and drawing. Well, the first year didn’t go well and I wanted to change it to printmaking then the next year was photography and I fell in love with photography. After dropping out of art school after 3 years I moved to Austin, TX to be closer to my sister and to start something fresh. I started getting into photography, photographing motorcycles, and models. And then I wanted to change it and now I photograph wedding, newborn, maternity, etc.

In 2018 I wanted to really get back into my jewelry after years and years of not touching it, so I got back into beading again. In 2019 that’s when I really wanted to take my jewelry to the next level which was metal smithing. I had so many ideas on what I wanted to do but there was so much I needed to learn, I took a 1-month simple metal smithing class, and after that I started to really touch myself and I met so many amazing jewelry designers that gave me a lot of tips and pointers throughout my time of doing jewelry. 2021 Is when I took is my main job and really fell in love with doing jewelry.

My idea of a pieces of jewelry I want to make it special and very unique for everyone, none of my pieces are the same. I make every piece different with different shapes and colors. I think that’s what makes my customers so happy about their piece from me is that they know that no one else has the same one as they do. One of the things that I love doing is making a custom piece that the customer shares me their unique idea that I bring to life, my customers are so creative at what they want, and I love that. Makes me feel they trust me 100% at making their dream piece come to life.

So, a lot of my creation comes from mainly both of my grandmothers who wore so many jewelries that I can remember and nature. I love getting that idea of making every piece different, it may be the same style but it’s always different in size, type of stone, colors and shapes. And that’s one thing that I truly believe that sets me apart from other jewelry makers.

I would not be where I am today without the help of my family and my boyfriend. they have truly been there for me and helped me get started!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

Not sure if this answers the question, But I have always been a fan of country, hats and boots. One of my dreams is to always get into a big show or market. So, the luck reunion has been a place I’ve always wanted to experience. The place, the people, food, drinks and of course the music. But I had this crazy Idea if I was able to get my jewelry in the show and sell it. I thought it was impossible just didn’t think I was that good or just even qualify for it. So, I just went for it, what’s the worst that can happen? So, I emailed them asking if they were looking for a vendor and that I would love to be a part of it. I showed them my pieces and everything. A month passed and I kind of forgot about it but also thought nah I’m not that good probably to be in the show.

Well sure enough I was wrong, I got accepted and I was able to make 30 luck rings for the show and all my other creations I’ve made. I was able to put myself out there in front of thousands of people from all over and to be a part of a huge event with other amazing artist.

after this event was over, I don’t think I’ve been so proud of myself and heard so many amazing comments from all these customers. I even had so many customers saying they were so excited to meet me and buy my stuff. I literally cried driving home because I really didn’t think I was going to get this far that quick. And I’m hoping to do it again next year!

So don’t ever stop trying, there’s always going to be other times and better events. Put yourself out there even if you think you aren’t good enough! Don’t give up!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

So, Instagram has a lot of new clients every day, right? But for me recently I find out that going to markets here and there to sell my products. There be a lot of times I don’t make a lot of money or make anything at all, but the main thing is that I’m able to talk to a lot of customers that come by my booth and talk to me about my stuff and adding a new client for me because you are giving them yourself and presenting your product in person. I always find that so incredibly important cause that customer is going to remember you by what you said and how you approach them and giving them a conversation that they won’t forget.

Instagram is more like, hey i like this stuff ill follow it but do you really remember the name and everything about that brand.

And I always wear my own piece and carry my cards with me because I always get a lot of compliments and I will take the time to talk to them a little about my brand and that another new client for me!

Contact Info:

• Website: cierrasunrisestudio.com
• Instagram: cierrasunrise_studio

Image Credits
Im the photographer of these photos