Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Kramlich.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kristen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I got married, my husband made my wedding necklace & I became fascinated with the process. At the time, I was working for a software company & picked up wire wrapping & beading as a hobby. I kind of jumped into it head first & within about a year I was teaching myself beginning metalsmithing. In 2009, I got laid off from my software job & decided to make jewelry my full-time career. I’ve evolved over the years mostly because I don’t like standing still & love learning new skills, which is a part of the reason I chose flux as a business name during the rebrand of my business in 2015.
Great, 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?
Starting and running a business is never going to be a smooth road. I have many 16 hour work days behind me, but it really is all worth it. As artists, we compete with each other just to see who gets to present & sell our work before we even make it to the customers. I guess one of the benefits is I now have a really thick skin. I’ve learned business isn’t personal, it’s just business. Learning to budget life on an inconsistent income also took some getting used to for me, having jumped into it after having a stable day job.
Please tell us about fLuxe Jewelry.
fLuxe Jewelry is unique in that I really don’t have many influences. I’m self-taught, so I don’t have a style that I’ve learned over the years. It’s all me. My designs start as drawings & I approach this stage as a painter. I’ve been able to keep a modern look to my jewelry because of this. I’ve also been able to come up with a line that, while ever-changing, still always feels uniquely me. I made a name for myself with my patina work, and now I’m focusing on enamel work. One common thread, however, has always been vibrant colors & bold, interesting shapes.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have 2 sisters, and when we were little, we would often sit down & have an art day. We would make each other drawings, write each other letters, and generally be creative with the others in mind. I still have several of these drawings. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
Pricing:
- beginning at $30
- up to $700
- most pieces $40-$50
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.fLuxeJewelry.com
- Email: Kristen@fLuxeJewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenisinfluxe/
Image Credit:
Enchanted photo design
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