Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Feyrer.
Hi Christine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a self-taught Jewelry Designer of 25 yrs. I’ve always enjoyed doing things with my hands, whether art, photography, ceramics, sewing, cooking, or gardening. I also grew up watching my mom and grandmothers doing creative things, but for me, it started when I was 7. I found a big piece of petrified wood that I still have today. That’s when my love of rocks and gemstones began. When my son was around one, I started making stretchy beaded bracelets and gave them to family, friends, and co-workers. Life happened, and I tucked the supplies away in a shoebox. Fast forward 5 years, and my daughter was about the same age. I pulled the box back out again. I suppose I needed a creative outlet for the terrible twos. Well, one of my co-workers asked me if I knew any other jewelry-making skills and a lightbulb clicked in my head. That was that. I went to the library and checked out books about jewelry making, styles from different cultures, where different stones come from, beading magazines, etc. I started participating in a craft fair at my aunt’s church, which I still do. In the beginning, it was for extra money for Christmas presents for my children, then it helped put me through college, and now it’s my full-time passion. Doing several pop-ups a week, personal styling with clients, and designing in between. I also do an annual holiday market at a local high school.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life will always have its ups and downs. Putting myself through college with two small children as a single mom and trying to run a small business wasn’t always a smooth road. For several years, I had several part-time jobs to make ends meet. Before Facebook Events, it was hard to find events. I was cold-calling churches to see if they had a holiday craft show, sometimes through word of mouth, but people were still gatekeeping, too. Several times, the kids and I would be running weekend errands, and I would see the tents, turn in to get information, and hear the kids in the back, “Mom, no!!!” Also, finding my ideal client and the right events for my work was a struggle, and sometimes still is, as I venture into markets and shows that are new. ew.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using gemstones and semi-precious gemstones, high-quality crystals, fresh-water pearls, precious metals, and other artisan components. I love playing with colors. Sometimes, I will do specific collections, like picking tiny wildflowers in the spring and pressing and drying them out to incorporate them into pieces. I recently made a collection of pendant necklaces with inspirational words and paired them with stones assigned to their metaphysical properties. For the past few years, I’ve been making polymer clay earrings, which are a lightweight and more affordable alternative to gemstones. It has been a fun journey playing with different materials within the medium of polymer clay. Some designs are cute and fun, while others look like gemstones or geodes. Ultimately, I’m most proud of being a mom; it was for them that I started a small business. And putting myself through college. I’m proud that I challenged myself to learn new things and that I never gave up. What sets me apart is my attention to detail. With a background in architectural interior design and my mom instilling that value, I’ve worked very hard to perfect my work over the years and choose quality materials for my designs. I also look forward to learning new skills to add depth to my work.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
As a self-taught designer, I didn’t have a specific mentor, but I did/do have several people who have helped me along the way. My village, my tribe, and my life, in general, have been my mentors. All my family, friends, church members, and professors have supported me in one way or another. Joining Facebook groups and local networking groups has helped as well. As a collective of other small business owners, we mentor each other and give advice and suggestions.
Pricing:
- Necklaces: $25 – $120
- Bracelets: $20 – $80
- Earrings: $15 – $60
- Polymer Clay Earrings: $10 – $30
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @christinescreationsoftx
- Facebook: @christinescreationsoftx
Image Credits
Headshot: Valente Zambrano
Hair & Makeup: Paige Holmes
Jewelry: Christine Feyrer
All Photo Edits: Christine Feyrer
