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

Shelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I ever made was getting myself a jewelry studio outside of my home. I had a lot of space in our big Victorian but I found myself distracted by laundry or just would flop on the couch because working from home didn’t feel like a job to me. I found a place in Center City Philadelphia that seemed like a lot of money at the time but after mulling it over I figured I would be a lot more productive and I could make and sell more jewelry. I LOVED that studio with its big windows and natural light and I really enjoyed my time there. Last summer I decided I wanted a studio where I had more resources at hand so I moved to a smaller space at NextFab in North Philly. my studio area is smaller but I have access to so many resources like soldering torches, an enamel kiln and leather working. I’m also surrounded by other people creating and making art which is a really fun environment to be immersed in. It’s also slightly cheaper which is always a plus!

Shelly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been a creative person. Since I was a small child I was always drawing and making art. I never considered a world in which I would not be working as an artist in some capacity. After earning a BA in film I realized I wanted to do something else in the visual arts so I took a course in graphic design which I have been doing for over 30 years.

At a certain point though, I needed a creative outlet away from the computer. I am a second hand scavenger so I was always going to flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores searching for vintage finds. I started picking up vintage jewelry because so much of it is just so lovely. I would break up necklaces or alter beautiful pins to create new pieces of jewelry that were fresh and modern. I was also taking silver smithing courses at the local high school where I refined my metal working techniques. A graphic design client who owned a store liked what I was doing and offered me a space to sell. From there I started doing arts festivals and craft markets and found new stores to sell my work.

I think what sets me apart from other people who make jewelry (and there are MANY) is that everything I make is one of a kind. I’ll mix up vintage beads from different necklaces or make a cuff from repurposed belt leather and it will be the only one like it. I feel like fashion can be so repetitive so I enjoy making accessories that are unique to the wearer.

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

There is no greater feeling than making something and seeing somebody really relate to it and want to buy it. I really don’t interact with customers when they buy from a store that carries my work but when I do a market or arts festival, it’s so gratifying to make the sale and meet the person. Being creative is very personal – I am connected to the things I make. It goes both ways though since sometimes I’ll have a bad show where I make very few sales and it’s tough not to make it personal. You question if your work is good enough. My husband always tell me it’s a business and not to take it personally but I challenge you to find an artist who doesn’t,.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media can be a full time job in itself. Algorithms can change so you aren’t sure how many people, if any, you are reaching. You can buy ads to promote yourself but that can get expensive. I have found that posting daily on Instagram and Facebook has helped me to grow a following. I have also had fellow artists and makers consistently comment on my posts and vice versa. Knowing what hashtags work is also a science I haven’t quite figured out although I did take a workshop on Instagram practices which was really helpful and I would recommend something like that to anyone looking to grow their social media presence. I have made a number of sales just from Instagram posts which has been great!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.no27collection.com
• Instagram: @no27jewelry
• Facebook: @no27jewelry

Image Credits

Photo on woman with necklace and cuff: Avi Loren Fox