I work with variety of mediums and launch small batches of earrings at a time (available to buy through Etsy). Creating colourful handmade pieces to brighten up your day. A little bit about me:
Back in 2010 I started to create earrings from upcycled materials. This is when Jijicraft was originally created. The profit I made from this small business got me through University. I mainly used money I
made for fun. Fast forward 11 years and 2 degrees, I have spent 9 years working in further education as a teacher of both Photography and English Language. I continued dabbling in crafts and continued to make earrings for myself. I am now a mum of a very energetic 1 year old and will be looking after my daughter full time from September 2021. I started researching and experimenting with Polymer Clay early this year as a fun medium to create new, colourful and uplifting designs. Why I decided to pursue Jijicraft as a small business:
I found wearing fun earrings to work made me feel like myself again. Through 3 national lockdowns, childcare and full time work, I felt like I was losing my identity. Wearing fun earrings connected me to my playful and happy self. It became an important part of self-expression for me. I want to be able to share this creativity which I have more or less bottled up through full time work and career goals. Now I am ready to let my creativity go wild and explore jewelry making. I have started with what I know best (which is earrings), but I am really eager to continue to develop my skills into other pieces. About my products:
I pour my heart into all the products I make. I am my own harshest critic, which can be a good thing sometimes, but it has also stopped me from pursuing things in the past. All my products are made from high quality polymer clay. To keep costs down for now, I use stainless steel, silver toned earring pieces, but this is something I'd love to diversify as my business grows. For packaging, I source either already recycled materials, or materials which can either be re-used or recycled further. Some fun facts about me:
I moved to the UK when I was 10 from Georgia and I can speak 3 languages. I am environmentally conscious in all aspects of my life, making eco friendly swaps and changes as much as I can. I have a degree in Photography and absolutely love it. My favourite things to photograph are nature and my daughter (when she sits still for long enough!)
I absolutely love being a mum. I have over 100 houseplants, which have miraculously survived through my continued neglect over the last 2 years. I also absolutely love growing my own vegetables and fruits in my small garden. Note to my customers:
Being able to pursue a small business and try to take control of my own life will be the biggest accomplishment for me. I am so thankful for every view, like, share, review and sale of my creations. My heart does a little happy dance every time someone engages with my products which I have lovingly created. It feels absolutely amazing to share something I love with others. So for this support, I wholeheartedly THANK YOU for supporting small businesses. You have no idea how much this means to small business owners. Please know that every penny you spend goes back into my business and supports my small family directly.