We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly Lent. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.

Kimberly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

Vintage has always been my passion! My house is adorned with vintage furniture, I shop for vintage clothing, and vintage jewelry is all I want to wear. I would scour the markets and buy re-purposed, vintage pieces from vendors, wishing I were creative like them, In 2013, I was laid off from my job as a High School Counselor in Philadelphia. I was heartbroken. It was the first time I felt that I had no purpose. My children were in school, and I would wake up in the morning with nothing to do, but pray to be reinstated to my position. I had a ring that I bought at a local vintage market. It was a re-purposed, 1950’s , clip-on earring. I thought it was so beautiful, and felt very chic wearing it. In my spare time at home, I decided to figure out how to create the rings myself. I started making rings, and wearing them. My friends noticed, and complimented me on my new jewelry. They were so unique, and one-of-a-kind. At first, I was just making them for fun, and to add to my vintage jewelry collection. Then, people began saying that I should sell them. Because I was out of work, I thought this could only benefit me, if I made a few dollars.
I decided to have a “Cocktails and Rings” party at my house. I had wine and cheese, and displayed my rings. I also named my little company, “Vintage Candy by Kimberjay Designs.” I invited some friends, neighbors and family over. I sold my rings for $25 each. People loved them!!! The feeling I got when I sold that first ring was incredible! It was addicting! Intoxicating! I needed more of that feeling. I decided right then that I had to expand what I was doing, and create more pieces.
Now, almost 9 years later, I have a small business, in addition to my full-time career of being a high school counselor. I participate in markets, holiday bazaars, and have private parties at my home and other people’s homes. I re-purpose vintage Jewelry and findings to create one-of-a-kind, unique necklaces, rings, bottle vases. salt and pepper shakers, bottle openers, hair accessories, etc …..
I am still incredibly passionate about vintage! And now I am a creative!

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

I am a wife, mother and high school counselor in the School District of Philadelphia. Vintage is my absolute passion!! I have always loved hearing stories about where people found their furniture, old pictures in their houses or jewelry. I enjoy things with meaning.

When I create a piece, it is truly made with thoughtfulness and love. All of my pieces are one-of-a-kind. The majority of my necklaces are lockets, because I love the thought of being able to put family members or friends in my pieces to keep them close to me, and letting my customers do the same. I am a very reminiscent and nostalgic person, and value the past and its lessons and stories. This is part of the reason why I repurpose vintage, instead of create new jewelry and giftables.

I think what I am most proud of, is how far I have come with my tiny business. I started off just making rings out of clip-on earrings, and now I create so many different pieces, and they are more decadent and intricate and funky and fun! I absolutely love creating, and I never even considered myself to be a “Creator.” When I am stopped on the street, or in stores or at events, and people say “I love your necklace! Where did you get it?” I am overwhelmed with pride to be able to say, “I made it!”

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

I love when people feel beautiful when they put on my pieces!! That is, hands down the greatest feeling in the entire world! When I am stopped on the street, in a store or anywhere and someone says, “Oh my God……I love your necklace!!! Where did you get it?” When I answer back, ” I made it!” It is a feeling of pride and happiness that is indescribable.

My goal is for women to feel glamorous and chic every, single day of their lives! I want them to know that you can wear my jewelry with jeans and a white t-shirt. It is not meant to be “saved for dressy occasions.” Vintage Candy is meant to accent the beauty that every woman already has inside of her.

This is truly my passion, and just being able to express myself creatively, and having people enjoy my work is rewarding.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2013, I was laid off from my job as a high school counselor. I was absolutely devastated! I worked at Paul Robeson High School in West Philadelphia, loved my job and my colleagues, and was truly happy in my career. All of a sudden, I felt that I had no purpose. Of course, the fear of no income was terrifying. My husband and I were both educators, and we had 2 children to support. I felt very hopeless. Besides not having an income, It was the first time that September rolled around, and I had no place to go in the morning, when everyone went back to school.

At first, I did nothing. I laid around, depressed and feeling sorry for myself. I felt empty and alone. I collected unemployment, and sat on my couch and watched t.v. Then, I was so bored one day, that I decided to give in to my obsession with vintage jewelry, and teach myself how to make rings out of clip-on earrings. My friends soon started to notice my creations. They loved them! Other people noticed, too. A few people mentioned that I should sell them. Eventually, when I made enough inventory, I had a “Cocktails and Rings” party. It was a great success! This passion of mine, turned into my little business, “Vintage Candy by Kimberjay Designs.”

I took a chance, and had to pivot what I was doing in my every day life, and follow my dreams. I was eventually re-hired at my counseling job. But, my jewelry business grew, and I now participate in vintage markets, and have my work in stores. Getting laid off was ultimately the best thing that could have happened to me. It put me in the position to discover what I was capable of, and gave me the where with all to achieve it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: vintagecandy.kimmi
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VintagecandybyKimberjayDesigns
• Linkedin: Kimberly Lent