Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Cole.
Libby, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always knew I wanted to be involved in fashion to some extent since high school. After my two sons left the house, I started that dream by enrolling in a beginner silver-smith class at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas. After completing the class, I knew that jewelry making was something I would love to do long-term and was in line with my former dream to be involved in fashion.
From there, I took more advanced silver-smith courses, offered through AGMC -Arlington Gem and Mineral club. I now have a higher level of skill in the craft and in the last couple of years have started to sell my jewelry at various open markets in the DFW area. I am still evolving in my work, and have also made changes in the materials that I work with such as incorporating a new line of work using imported leather material with metallic finishes.
My future goals include creating a web presence and a focus on selling my work virtually. I am happy to be doing something that I have always wanted to do and I look forward to retiring from my day job in a corporate setting so that I can devote 100% of my time to making beautiful things for people to wear.
I was inspired by my late mother Nora for discovering the passion for making jewelry as she was always enamored with sparkly things to wear and she herself was always a “maker” when we were growing up. When I am working on my creations, it is a constant reminder of her, and in some ways, I feel that I am carrying out the legacy of her love for jewelry.
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?
I would say that my jewelry making journey has not been exactly smooth sailing throughout. Some of the struggles for me would be that in order to make jewelry using finer materials, you have to really invest, not only your time but your money. There are many tools required in silver-smithing, and each piece created requires a tremendous amount of precision, focused time and careful concentration. Having a full-time day job makes it challenging to devote quality time to the craft. Also, having a dedicated space in which to work is quite essential and helps to divide the experience from your regular home life. I remember in the beginning, I was literally doing this work on my kitchen table, which is not conducive to the kind of processes used in working with silver. I can definitely say that I have come a very long way in my journey, now having a dedicated space and a robust set of tools to create the pieces with.
I also think that some of my challenges have been on the marketing side of my work. I have yet to establish a strong and viable web presence, and while I am working on that presently I feel that I would have come a lot farther by now if I had done it sooner. I keep working toward the goal.
And there are always challenges in the work itself. Making a piece of jewelry from a flat piece of metal and incorporating designs with stones, finishes, etc., is very complicated. I always tell people, now I know why jewelry can be so expensive, as I appreciate how difficult and time consuming it is from start to finish. At least it has been for me. The end result is always satisfying at the end so it’s totally worth it.
There is also something extremely satisfying not only during the work/creation process but when I have a finished piece that someone will purchase and wear over time. The future journey of the piece itself is of great interest to me – who will wear it and for how long and where the wearer themselves will journey to. It is as though a part of me goes along with every piece and lives another life and I really like that feeling.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Libby Cole Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is Libby Cole Designs and I make jewelry for women and men and my work includes earrings, necklaces and rings. While my first love/specialty is working with raw silver material and semi-precious stones, currently I am producing new creations using imported leather and these designs have been popular with women in particular as they are focused to hand made leather earrings featuring a metallic finish.
For me, I am most proud of doing something that makes people feel good. I think the body itself is a beautiful and unique form. By selling jewelry, it makes me feel as though I am somehow a part of that person when they wear something I made. They have chosen my creation to “adorn” themselves or gift others, and when people dress for the day, they have a choice, and when they choose to buy my jewelry and subsequently wear it, that is a really great feeling. In this day and age, if I get a follow or post of someone in my jewelry on social media, there is a gain from that you can’t buy or get anywhere else. It is a feeling of acceptance and love for body my adornments.
What sets me apart I think, is that I have an eye-pleasing quality product at an affordable price and my earrings are unique in their look, not mass-produced ad seen everywhere. I feel with my work that I have made my mark as a fashion statement, in particular within my day job office. Many of the women that I work with buy and wear my leather earrings on a regular basis, and when someone else sees them, they may already know it is my design. They come to me, asking me to bring in styles for them to buy. I feel like my jewelry “sells itself” and that is surely a positive thing and a game-changer for me.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am a spiritual person and my view on luck (good or bad), is that if it is meant to happen, it will happen and it if is not, then it won’t. For example, if it doesn’t happen then the higher power that governs my life has deemed it wasn’t the right time.
I live and walk through my life by Christian faith. I have been what you many may call “lucky” for a great part of my life. I also feel that when “bad luck” strikes, this is simply an opportunity to learn something about myself or the situation and come out better and stronger on the other side of it.
I don’t believe in coincidence, I believe that all things come together by a heavenly design, orchestrated by the higher power. On the flip side, things may fall apart, but I accept that this is also meant to be.
In general, I would say that I have been extremely fortunate (i.e. lucky) in my life and business and while there is still much to journey on going forward, I am confident about the future of Libby Cole Designs!
Pricing:
- Leather Earrings – $15-20
- Sterling Silver pendants – $30 up
- Sterling Rings – $25- up
Contact Info:
- Email: libbycole61@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbycoledesigns/?hl=en
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