We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thalia-mae Nero. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thalia-Mae below.
Thalia-Mae, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I’m a self-taught jewellery designer. I believe I’ve always had a creative mind, being drawn to arts and crafts. However, I never thought I was capable of designing let alone making jewellery. My passion for designing came about after creating my first pair of button earrings made using recycled fabrics. I was in awe that something so simple can become a statement piece of accessory. After creating a few pieces for friends and family, I realised I wanted to explore this passion even more. I started by watching basic jewellery making videos and online tutorials. I read a few books on jewellery making, but I am a visual learner so YouTube was my best friend.
When I first began jewellery making, it was very much in isolation focusing on online tutorials and videos. I’ve got a young family, my first son was 4 years old at the time I stated my business. So there was hardly any time for going out and networking. But in hindsight, I can see how networking with other jewellery designers would have helped accelerate my learning process. In the recent years and definitely since the dreaded Covid 19, many networking opportunities became more accessible online. And I have wholeheartedly welcomed these. I’m also engaging more with online communities and social media to gain feedback and support. These have enriched my learning experience and encouraged me to try new designs and techniques.
And finally having a mentor has definitely helped my learning. Early on in the process, I focused more on making and struggled with branding, marketing and actually selling. It’s still a huge learning process for me, but I am being guided by brilliant mentors.
Essential skills? Definitely time management. My family takes up the majority of my time, so being able to juggle and balance school work and extra curricular activities for the kids, meeting deadlines for my 9-5 job and designing new collections is most definitely a time management skill I’m still trying to master. One good day, perhaps when the kids have left the nest :). But I can give myself praise for creativity and attention to details. Both essential skills for any jewellery designer.
There are many obstacles to learning more in the jewellery industry. For me the main one is time constraints – balancing jewellery making with other responsibilities was (and is) a definite obstacle. It’s difficult to dedicate sufficient time. Another obstacle I face is self-doubt. I’ll be honest and say sometimes I feel my work isn’t good enough. There are so many brilliant creatives and jewellery designers. But I’m learning to accept that not everyone is your target audience. I’ve got many people who purchase my jewellery and encourage me so I must be doing something right!
Another obstacle has got to be market competition. The jewellery market is very saturated and there is a lot of pressure to create statement pieces. But I’m learning to find my unique voice and showcase this in every piece of jewellery that I create.
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?
I’m Thalia-Mae Nero, a Trinidad born artisan and founder of the jewellery brand TMBoutique. I currently live in the UK with my family. I work part time in the education industry however my joy comes for creating jewellery. I’m a self-taught jewellery designer and my passion for designing and making jewellery came about after creating my first pair of fabric button earrings using recycled fabrics. I remember being with my dear friend one afternoon in Trinidad trying to come up with creative ways to utilise excess fabrics I accumulated from a previous venture. A few google searches after, materials bought, followed by several YouTube tutorials, the joy I felt after making those simple button earrings was exciting and enough encouragement to create more.
My jewellery designs have evolved over the years, combining limited edition original artwork by Caribbean artisans, selected photo cabochons and unique charms in bright bold colours and patterns. With each piece being inspired by the cool, yet warm and vibrant shade of the Caribbean islands. From statement earrings, necklaces and rings. I have also created a limited edition collection of wineglass charms with symbols representing Trinidad and Tobago; the steel pan, hummingbirds and country map.
Creating Caribbean inspired jewellery and accessories, particularly with a focus on Trinidad and Tobago allows me to connect with my cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and connection to my background. Living in the UK, I have connected with nationals from many other Caribbean islands, sharing with them and reminiscing of ‘back home’ through my jewellery designs.
My pieces are often vibrant, unique, and rich in symbolism; there is almost always a story behind each piece, making them excellent gifts for customers looking for something meaningful and one-of-a-kind. My designs are for customers who may have vacationed in the Caribbean, perhaps reflecting on their own personal stories. For nature lovers through my collection title Iere in Bloom which showcases the beautiful flowers and birds the Caribbean has to offer. And of course for those going on a Cruise ship holiday, a couple statement pieces from TMBoutique is a must have to accessorise your holiday outfits.
TMBoutique’s designs stand out from the mass-produced fashion accessories, it allows customers to express themselves with elements such as shells, wooden pieces, bright colours and charms not typically found in conventional jewellery.
TMBoutique is a labour of love and a constant work in progress. I take pride in representing and having a genuine connection with my culture. Whether a customer is from the Caribbean, or has a strong bond with the culture or simply want to enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean through a piece of jewellery, I always try to ensure that authenticity shines through my work.
TMBoutique tells a story – whether of folklore, festivals, nature, music- my collaborations with other Caribbean artisans add depth and meaning to each design as each artisan also has their stories to tell. Customers love to wear pieces that carry a story making each item not just a fashion statement but also a conversation piece.
What sets me apart? My vision and passion when I bring my own unique creativity to each piece made. Living in the UK, I am able to offer customers a piece of my culture, a Caribbean inspired holiday accessory, a unique piece they cannot find anywhere else.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
There are many stories I can share on resilience and my TMBoutique journey. But one that particularly stands out for me involved a fantastic opportunity I had with one of my Trinidad-based stockists. As part of preparations for the event, I was asked to present my brand bio via a short video together with promotional flyers of the products I offer.
An easy task you would think? But being a creative/maker, I enjoy the process of actually making and I always find the technical aspects relating to marketing, promotions and creating videos extremely daunting. Not the mindset you want if you’ve got a business.
Despite being totally out of my comfort zone, I took on the challenge, which, after a couple long days and numerous filming retakes with assistance from both my mom (who was very close to giving up on her one and only child) and niece, I was able to present a 2-minute brand video.
I know my products, I know my business, but facing the camera to tell the story of TMBoutique was a major challenge for me. Call it facing my fears, which is strange because I am quite comfortable speaking in person about my business, but putting me in front the camera is a different story.
This is a work in progress for me, with each day learning the marketing and promotional aspects of my business.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, particularly a Trinidad-born creative living in the UK, is the ability to bring a piece of my culture and my own personal interpretation of my heritage to my customers. Seeing my customers wear and cherish a piece of TMBoutique, is absolutely fulfilling, being able to showcase my creativity whilst bringing joy to whoever wears my handmade designs. My designs, the bright colours and bold patterns used all evoke the vibrancy of the Caribbean
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TMBoutiqueUK
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmboutiqueuk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMBoutiqueJewellery/
Image Credits
Remi Fredericks, Photographer
Deborah Nero-Adeoye, Model