Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Smith.
Hi Allie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I’ve always been creative, I loved crafting and making unique things with just about anything I could find. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work for myself and have my own business! When I was about 14 years old, my aunt started metalsmith work and created a jewelry brand. I thought it was the most fascinating idea. I loved how every single piece could be so different and unique, complex yet so simple! It wasn’t till I was 18 that I started thinking about what I loved and wanted to pursue with my life. I went back and forth between a lot of ideas but none of them piqued my interest.
I remembered my aunt’s business and decided to start looking into it! I asked her a bunch of questions and she’s been so helpful! She came across a gal in Draper that taught jewelry metalsmith classes and I immediately signed up. Since the first day of the class, my attention has been hooked and I’ve loved every second of it! There are so many things you can do with metal to make each piece it’s own and stand out! I’ve been creating jewelry for about a year now and recently started selling my pieces. It is my goal to make jewelry that is durable and at a reasonable price, but above all, I am proud of it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I love creating jewelry, it hasn’t been the easiest craft to get into. I started with cheap stone beads and craft wire from the hobby lobby as I knew the cost of real stones and metal piled up quickly. As I didn’t have the funds to build my at-home studio with all the expensive tools and materials, it caused me only be able to work on jewelry once a week in my class. It was hard not being able to practice every day.
I felt like going once a week for a few hours I wasn’t getting anywhere, and couldn’t create as much as I wanted to. So I started saving up and have been so blessed to have my family and my aunt gift and send me so many tools and materials to get started at home! Within about 6 months, I was finally able to start creating at home and it has been so incredibly fun and fulfilling to see the support and love I’ve gotten for my pieces!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work and specialize in metalsmith jewelry. I use real stone cabochons, sterling silver metal, and occasionally copper to create beautiful and one-of-a-kind pieces!
I’m most proud of my ambition and dedication to go after my dream of making jewelry and sticking to it! It is such a fun process and the most rewarding and wholesome feeling to see the love each piece gets from my customers and followers!
How do you define success?
To me, success means you have found what you love and have gone after it. You have decided what it is you truly want to do and be and are taking action to get there.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.secure.instagram.com/mystical_lotus_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085863393540
