We recently connected with Nicole King and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I was 22, with nothing more than three pliers, some wire, and a head full of ideas. Every evening after work, I’d sit down and twist wire and stones into little creations. One day, someone asked to buy the necklace I was wearing—literally right off my neck. I was shocked, but that moment changed everything. Each time it happened again, I reinvested in new tools or materials, slowly building my skills. That first dollar wasn’t planned, but it sparked a path I’m still walking today—turning obsession into a business, piece by piece.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In my early twenties, I left the bustle of the Bay Area—and a stale but steady office job—for the mountains of Lake Tahoe. I had no real plan, only an instinct that I was headed toward something better, or at least different. It didn’t take long to realize how naïve that was. Tahoe was, and still is, a resort town. Traditional office work wasn’t waiting for me. Out of both desperation and curiosity, I took a job at a bead store—an unassuming choice that ended up changing the trajectory of my entire life.

That little shop became my world for the next 15 years. I made lifelong friends there, discovered the art of jewelry making, and even met my future husband. From the beginning, I was obsessed. I devoured every magazine we sold, wire-wrapped during every free moment, memorized stone names, and felt myself transforming. Eventually, I became the manager of not just that store but also a second location. I learned the art of purchasing for retail, building strong relationships with both clients and wholesalers, and honed what I now consider my superpower: a keen eye for choosing the perfect stones.

It was there that I was encouraged to create jewelry for clients, both custom and otherwise. I learned to listen for their intentions and bring them to life in wearable form. Those lessons shaped everything about the way I work today.

Now, as the owner of my own jewelry business, I carry those skills forward. I trust my intuition and pay close attention to what my clients truly need, whether they express it outright or not. Over the years, I’ve built deep relationships through trust and the honor of creating for life’s most sentimental moments. These pieces are often meant to be cherished and passed down, and I never stop being in awe of that connection. It feels bigger than me, and it’s what brings me back to my bench every day.

My work is known for bold, statement pieces—modern armor meant to empower the wearer. I hand-select precious and semi-precious gemstones, creating designs that enhance the natural beauty of each stone rather than overshadow it.

I also love sharing my process. My Instagram followers have come to expect behind-the-scenes glimpses of how a piece comes to life. As an introvert, I’m grateful for that outlet—it allows me to connect without draining my energy source.

At the heart of it all, I believe in empowering people to express their most authentic selves, through one-of-a-kind jewelry that speaks to them—and for them.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I’ve realized that when people call themselves “non-creative” (which I don’t actually believe exists), what they really mean is that they feel intimidated by the thought of creating. For the sake of this conversation, let’s just call that fear.

I don’t think we can create through fear, but I also don’t think we should shove it away. Fear can actually be an informant. What is it here to tell us? Where did it learn to hold so much weight? If we pause and listen before asking it to leave, we might discover inspiration hiding inside it—or maybe even break down a barrier that’s been holding us back.

Eventually, yes, fear has to go. Creation is at its best when it’s pure, when it comes from curiosity and discovery. That’s where the magic is.

So when someone says they aren’t creative, I want to ask them: What makes you believe that? Can you remember a time when you did create—how that felt, how others responded, how you responded to yourself? Could you try again, just once, with no expectation of the outcome? I think if you did, you might find that you’re more creative than you ever thought.

I believe a creative life is a valuable pursuit. It is the language we have to explain the gray areas or the emotions we don’t have words for. To create has innate value if not for us alone, for someone who also needs those emotions to be released but doesn’t know how.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’ve really enjoyed listening to Suzy Batiz, the CEO and founder of Poo-Pourri, talk about the art of following an “alive idea,” as she calls it. When I first heard her speak about the nuance of building a business out of a creative act, it felt like an awakening. I was so inspired—and honestly hungry—to hear more from her on that topic.

Some books that have deeply resonated with me on creativity and business are The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero.

And at one point, Ben Folds had a podcast called Lightning Bugs, where he’d sit down with different people to explore creativity. I loved it and still wish he hadn’t ended that show!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://AdornmentByNicole.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adornmentbynicole/