Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Levitin.
Tara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been making jewelry and selling it on the low down since I was in elementary. When my daughter was born back in 2005, I wanted to figure out a way to spend as much time with her as possible so going back to work was not in the cards for me. That is when I launched Leviticus Jewelry, www.LeviticusJewelry.com Minus a trade show and some local markets here and there I have always been online working from my home studio. In 2017, a local artist and friend, George Sacaris, designed and built my mobile shop, Black Dahlia Curiosities. I sell my jewelry as well as other artists work. It gives me a chance to get out of my comfort zone and meet my customers face to face. I have discovered how nice it is to be able to converse with my customers and get to know them better.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Online sales are tricky. I launched my online shop in 2005 when I would post pictures of my pieces on Livejournal and Myspace. Then, I went to advertising on BUST Magazine and other blogs… that seemed to work great for the first few years. Then I hit Instagram before the algorithm nightmare began and that was a really great way to get my name out there to people all over the world easily. Now, with the algorithm, it is a bit trickier. The business has no rhyme or reason, some weeks are amazing other give me the entrepreneur panic attacks that most suffer from at least once in their careers. It can get pretty stressful not knowing what my income will be from month to month but honestly, I am so incredibly grateful to be able to work from home doing something I love and spend as much time with my kids as possible. Family is number one to me, always.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Leviticus Jewelry and Black Dahlia Curiosities story. Tell us more about the business.
When I first started, I would make jewelry out of antique odds and ends but I always wanted to learn how to carve and cast. I took a few classes and got the basic idea of what I was doing then I just started carving and making whatever I was inspired to make. Now, I carve my pieces and work with a casting house in the U.S. Casting and finishing pieces are extremely time-consuming and working with them allows me to be creative and respond personally to each and every one of my customers. I create and package all of my jewelry. I am known for my memento mori pieces and more classic gothic/Victorian style, But, more recently, I have been inspired by color and have been learning and working more with precious stones. I think to evolve as a designer and not sticking with such a niche style is important for me because I never want this to feel like a job, even though it ultimately is. I want to always feel like I am creating pieces that I love and selling them to people that love them just as much as I love creating them.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t think that I have had “luck,” good or bad. I think it has taken a ton of hard work. It isn’t always easy but I have a great life partner, Jack Thompson, that always listens to me when I need to vent and inspires me. He is also self-employed so he understands all of the woes and excitement of being self-employed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LeviticusJewelry.com
- Email: tara@leviticusjewelry.com
- Instagram: @leviticusjewelry @blackdahliacuriosities
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leviticusjewelry/
Image Credit:
Jack Thompson Photography jthompsonphoto.com
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