Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantel Manning and Kaylynn Gonzalez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When we were children, we would make jewelry for ourselves and our families. As we grew up, it turned into a lost hobby, until July 2020. During the beginning of the pandemic, we found ourselves with more free time and started making jewelry again.
Initially, it was just for ourselves, then others started to express interest. We decided to take a chance and invest in some supplies to turn our hobby into a small business. The name SisterSemillas holds a lot of meaning for us. ‘Semillas’ translates to ‘seeds’ in Spanish, and is inspired by the Mexican proverb “they tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.”
We wanted to represent our culture as Hispanic women and the unique challenges we have grown through. Our business is blossoming into a source of supplemental income to support us as first-generation college students and gives us time to bond as sisters.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, it has gone far better than we anticipated.
It took some time for us to figure out what items we wanted to create, what people liked, and find our style. In under two years, we have sold to most states in the US, and a couple of countries as well.
One struggle we have found is marketing regularly and finding time to create more pieces in a timely manner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We work primarily with natural, ethically-sourced materials such as crystals and bone. Wire wrapping is our main method of creation.
We are known for ear weights, ear hangers, and plugs but we also make necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets, and other accessories. Our distinct style sets us apart from others–while there are similar items on Etsy ours definitely stand out.
They are also all completely handmade by us with genuine materials and care. We feel most proud of our work when people express how much they love their pieces or complement the ones they see us wearing.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Stay true to yourself and trust the process. In the beginning, we were so concerned with what people would buy, but once we started making what we liked, we started gaining traction. Plus, doing what we like makes it a fun form of expression.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sistersemillas@gmail.com
- Website: https://sistersemillas.patternbyetsy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sistersemillas?utm_medium=copy_link
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SisterSemillas
