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

Tina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The more time I spent working with the silver and stones, I fell in love with designing and creating one of a kind jewelry. My marriage was coming to an end and I knew I wanted to pursue being a jewelry designer and creator full time. My jewelry was selling at markets, festivals, and events. I knew it could possibly work for me, so I got out and worked hard and hustled with social media. I have taken two classes/sessions of silversmithing and want to continue to learn and grow. My jewelry is available in six stores. My online store/website is currently under construction.

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

I started making seed bead necklaces and bracelets in 1992 after the passing of my sons father. Throughout the years I had been making myself unique pieces of jewelry with supplies from the same local jewelry supplier I use currently. I didn’t want to look like everyone else. I had been on a personal journey starting in January of 2018 and my creative mind was opening up even more in 2019 after the passing of my mother. I made a couple of necklaces for friends at Christmas in 2019 and was encouraged to make more products. I started making jewelry on the side and setting up at events. As the years went by I was creating and putting myself out into the public, getting jewelry in stores, and advertising my jewelry business on several social medias. I have a few good friends that have given advise, modeled my products, and supported my journey with me from the beginning. I am also a Young Living Independent Essential Oil Distributer. I love being in nature, music, yoga, and staying active with my Alaskan Malamute who just turned five.

I make one of a kind sterling silver and semi precious stone necklaces and bracelets. I have been shopping at a local bead supplier that has been in business for almost 34 years, The owner travels to different events in the United States buying unique items to supply her store. I want to touch, feel, and see every piece of material I’m using in my designs. I pride myself in quality materials and craftmanship. I offer resizing on some of my pieces. I love working with turquoise. It is my birthstone, a beautiful stone, and a favorite of many for several reasons. My one of a kind designs come from designs I visualize in in my head after I’ve seen a stone or chain design. When several designs come to me at once I will write the design down or draw it. Learning to Silversmith has been fun, rewarding, and wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry that you have designed, cut out, forged and finished yourself is a proud feeling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

in 2018 something changed in me and I wanted something different. As I was reflecting, healing, and growing my creativity was awakening. I realized I had been in a toxic and stagnant marriage. As I was starting to go out and sell at events, I was left to take care of Bella, my would be ninety pound Malamute, the home, and myself. As my business continued to grow and my marriage fell apart, I encountered one loss after another. At this point I was even more determined to make my jewelry business work and support me and my dog. With taking care of a home and business, I would have to do the days priorities and other chores were put to the side. I had to make some important decisions of what mattered most and grieved when all my beautiful flowers died that I had planted almost twenty years ago. I hustled at festivals, markets, and events. I got into six stores and I have an online store and website currently under construction. In my fifties, I become a single dog mom, started a business, and became the healthiest and happiest I have ever been in my life.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being free to express what I visualize into a beautiful piece of jewelry is very rewarding to me. People seeing the same beauty is a lovely feeling, but we don’t all see the same thing. So I try to create pieces that are unique to different lifestyles and customs. I put good energy into my pieces and hope to inspire others to live there best lives through my one of a kind pieces of wearable art. Being an artist and working out of my home full time now gives me the opportunity to set my working hours around my love of nature and a healthy and natural lifestyle.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverstarstone/profilecard/?igsh=djgxbnFmaG430Gpu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverstarstone?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Other: https://wwwtiktok.com/@silverstarstone1?_t=8r9UE7c38wB&_r=1

Image Credits

Tina Pollard

Rik Clement