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

Kier, appreciate you joining us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

It was my second pop-up event—technically my third, since the first one was also a scam. I was at a well-known venue in Houston when this guy kept pestering me about my pieces. At first, he said he wanted to buy everything on my table. I didn’t take him seriously, because, let’s be real, I don’t get excited about big claims until I see actual proof. Then he changed his tune, saying, “I’d love to just get the rings. Can you hold them for me?” I agreed, still skeptical.

Later on, we were told by the market manager that someone had been passing counterfeit money. I didn’t put two and two together until days later, but by then it was too late. While I hadn’t been hit with the counterfeit bills, I traded some jewelry with someone I suspect was this guy. My plan was to deconstruct the pieces and use the stones for my own designs, but the pieces were fake—coated in resin, and when I tried to remove the metal, it was as if it had melted into the imitation stones.

I was embarrassed and felt so foolish. I had genuine customers who were ready to support me, yet I wasted my time with someone choosing to lie and scam me. Normally, I don’t trust easily—I like to get a feel for people—but I went into this trade with an open mind, hoping to be different. It ended up being an embarrassing lesson I held on to for way too long.

And don’t get me wrong—this isn’t a “don’t trust anyone” story. It’s not about avoiding trades with fellow artists either. My point is to use your discernment. Some people prey on small businesses, knowing you’re new and eager, and they’ll ask the right questions to figure out how much you don’t know.

Now, I only make trades with fellow artists whose work I genuinely admire—pieces I’d want to hang on my walls or wear myself. It’s no longer about business for me when it comes to trades. It’s about mutual respect and true appreciation for each other’s craft.

Kier, 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?

I am a crystal Jewelry designer who specializes in creating magical and enchanting wire-wrapped pendants and beaded chokers that resemble different forms of nature. Different crystals hold different energies and I teach how to utilize these energies in many ways such as gaining confidence in oneself and reaching your goals. Something important I share is that life can be enchanting when combined with a healthy mind working with you instead of against you. The mind and your thoughts are powerful so the things you think about can become your truth if that’s where you’re focused. My goal is to help unlock the power you already have while adorning your body in beautiful gems and stones. No transformation can happen until you get to the root, so spending time with yourself whether it be in nature, practicing mindfulness, or deep breathing can be a key to calming your internal energy and spirit. I practice these things when creating jewelry and that energy can be felt in each unique item.

How did I get started?

I’ve always been a creative at heart. From a young age, I was constantly drawing, illustrating, experimenting with makeup, and working with different mediums. But my business came to life when I found myself out in the real world, on my own. No parents, no guidance—just me and my small family. We had been in a new city for less than a year, and I was trying to pull myself out of a really low point. During that time, I immersed myself in self-help, exploring different methods to heal and grow. That journey opened up a whole new world for me, and from it, my business was born.

What am I most proud of?

It’s my ability to adapt and constantly evolve, always learning and refining my craft to create something beautiful from nothing. Each piece I make begins as individual components that, when brought together, become something special. I love the creative process itself—it’s a natural part of who I am. For me, it’s more than just about making money, because that will come regardless.

What sets you apart from others

I was literally just a girl who wanted to play dress up and tell you how gorgeous you looked, and now I’m a woman who is here to help others gain the confidence they’re looking for and look amazing while doing so. I’ve always walked in my truth and did what made me feel good so I know it’s my place to share and help others become confident in their being.

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

What helped me build my reputation in the market?

I think it’s staying true to my style, my design elements, and being honest. Running a crystal jewelry business isn’t easy—especially since it feels like everyone’s doing it—but from the start, I knew I wanted to create intricate pieces that stand out. My designs incorporate animals and the light shimmering off each piece; when I first started, I didn’t see many others doing animal-inspired pieces. It felt fresh and unique, and people were often surprised because it was something they hadn’t seen before.

I also believe in being transparent. I share how I’m feeling and why I’m moving in certain ways because people don’t always see the behind-the-scenes—the hours poured into each piece. But when they do, I think it creates a deeper sense of appreciation for the work.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I use Shopify as my e-commerce platform, and it’s been the best option for me. I’ve tried a few others, like GoDaddy, Etsy, and Wix, but Shopify has offered the most benefits. Their website layouts are easy to customize, even for beginners, and the merchandising catalog is straightforward to manage. While I did like certain aspects of the other platforms, there were key reasons why I stuck with Shopify—mainly because platforms like GoDaddy and Wix didn’t offer payment options like Afterpay or Klarna, which allow customers to pay in installments. Having a “pay in 4” option is a big advantage for customers who want flexibility in how they support my business.

As for Etsy, it just wasn’t the right fit for me. I prefer having my own platform and domain, where I can fully control the experience and brand identity. Shopify gives me that freedom, and it feels more aligned with how I want to grow my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Earthtoned.co
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/earthtoned.co_
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Earthtonedd
• Other: https://Pinterest.com/Earthtoned_