Jewelry by Andrea

Three Strand Kazakhstan Pendent

I had an interview with Andrea Kelly of JewerybyAndrea on Artfire. She says it better than I can:


My main line is hand strung Jewelry including Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings.  I have also been playing around with Charm beads (just to throw something totally different into the mix) and have just released a new collection featuring Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, Key Chains and Girls Bracelet Kits.  A new addition I hope to introduce in Fall are Limited Edition Necklaces, The Under $40 Collection, offering an Exotic look at a lower price.

Vintage Tibetan Brass and Turquoise Beads

My interest in making Jewelry has always been with me even though I didn’t know it.  I have always loved to create but was never able to find something I felt I could do well. Prior to having Children I loved to travel and collect really different looking Jewelry. With a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology learning about other Cultures has always been an interest to me. After my first child I took a Diploma in Interior Decorating. After my second Child I needed a creative outlet and found I could make jewelry late at night without waking up the rest of the house. My Collections took on a life of their own and before I knew it I was purchasing completely through the internet from small business owners in Bali, Thailand and Tibet. I didn’t plan on starting a business, let alone one that brought together so many interests in my life. I was in business for over a year before I realized just how lucky I am. During all of this I am a full time stay-at-home Mom.

I am inspired to create by the materials I use. Often I have pieces for months before I can figure out what to do with them. I have learned not to rush a piece and that with time the right design will come to me.

I don’t even have a photograph of my favorite piece – It was a Lapis Lazuli Covered Conch Shell Pendant with a Silver and Lapis strand.At the beginning before a show I would get so busy I didn’t take pictures.  Not any more.  I will include a link to my Artfire Gallery.  Each piece is so different but the overall reason I love the items posted there… they are unique, the materials are an honor to work with, they are truly spiritual and are more than just a piece of jewelry.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful handmade jewelry available now days.  It is hard not to wonder why a person would purchase from me over another seller.  Many have better techniques, photos, social networking skills and the list goes on.  I believe I have found my niche and need to stay true to it.  The basics of my creative process are working with small sellers who are most times from underdeveloped countries.  I purchase at Fair Trade Prices and use unique materials that are often somewhat crudely made.  Many of my shipments come with pieces of grain, beads wrapped on grass and sometimes have a funky smell to them.  I think it’s great and I really love being able to feel connected to the world while staying home and raising my children. 

Brass Pendant

Advise for those starting out… You don’t have to be everything to every one.  I make big jewelry that doesn’t suite everyone.  I used to try to make smaller pieces, more dainty, more main stream.  I found my stride when I focused on what I felt passionate about and my work became so much more cohesive.  I also realized that the whole “don’t expect to make a profit in the first 5 years of business” is probably very realistic.  I always make sure to cover my costs but it will take time, learning how to run a business effectively and a lot more work before I can truly say I am profitable.  I can see it coming though and am more than happy to enjoy the process.  To be honest … I would happily do this for free!


You can find Andrea online in her artfire store - http://jewelrybyandea.artfire.com , her website, www.jewelrybyandrea.com, Ruby Plaza   http://www.rubyplaza.com/shop/jewelrybyandrea and on her  Facebook Page.