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

Alright, Tamara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I really wished I started my creative career sooner! I lost so much time before the pandemic because I didn’t feel I could “compete” with some of the talented jewelry creators. My materials didn’t seem to be as good as theirs, all the while I was making bracelets and anklets for myself! It wasn’t until a Facebook friend asked for someone to repair his necklace that I even spoke up.

Looking back, it was all about confidence and courage. I’m just thankful to have it now!

Tamara, 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 began making bracelets and anklets for myself as a hobby to pass the time while job hunting. I found that working on them calmed me down, and I wasn’t as anxious about things. I make beaded bracelets, anklets and necklaces and my ability to find the “Trinkets” set me apart amongst my friends and customers. When a customer reaches out to me for a custom piece, it could be something so simple as representing a team, or a gift for a friend who just crossed in a sorority. I have also had a married couple reach out to have sets made to match outfits for a party because they simply couldn’t find the colorway they wanted for what they were wearing!

I’m most proud to see my work on my customers. I’ve managed to create for my favorite artists The Whispers & Ray Parker, Jr., which gives me goosebumps every single time. However, it’s something about seeing wedding photos, modeling portfolios, fashion shows, and family reunions with MY bracelets in the midst. It’s the ultimate compliment to my work when it becomes a part of someone’s ensemble.

What I want people to know is when you order from me and request custom pieces, I am going to work to exceed your expectations. I do not use glass or ceramic beads unless specifically requested by the customer. I use crystals, stones, and quality metals to ensure that your piece lasts. To some, you may have a blue Dallas Cowboys inspired bracelet. What you have is a lapis lazuli or blue tiger eye with stainless steel or silver accents. Your brother’s purple bracelet gifted for crossing Omega Psi Phi is amethyst with gold hematite beads. That “simple” black bracelet to match your suit is either onyx, obsidian or black tourmaline.

You’re going to get quality, heavy, durable pieces from me every single time!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Pay. What. They. Weigh.

I cannot stress this enough! Artists and creatives are extremely valuable and should never be met with opposition when they name their prices. Even I took a class from a veteran jewelry maker to learn how to improve the quality of my work. Before starting Blueberry’s Trinkets, I heard people say “that’s too much” and was extremely intimidated. I didn’t think people would want to pay for my work. The reality is, they did, they are, and they will.

Artists & creatives name their prices based on their time, their resources, their energy, even their research. Please be mindful of that.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to make Blueberry’s Trinkets my main career. I want to see my bracelets in stores, red carpets, magazines and on television. I look forward to the day I can get a call from a celebrity asking for me to customize a stack for them to wear to an event. My mission is to become that jewelry maker that travels and lays out all of the pieces for people to choose from.

I don’t have much longer before that day comes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @BlueberrysTrinkets
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BlueberrysTrinkets
• Other: I’m in the process of creating my website, so I also take orders via email at [email protected]

Image Credits
Photos by Blueberry’s Trinkets