Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Behnke.
Hi Caitlyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started just by making clay jewelry, and from there I started trying out a bunch of different techniques and materials! I tried selling it on Instagram, and from there I got a few customers, started promoting on Twitter, got a few more. Then a year ago I decided to try out my first local pop-up market, and I was hooked. I absolutely love getting to interact with my customers face to face, as well as growing my community circle!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and too be honest it’s still early in my journey so I’m sure there are still more to come but one of the struggles I overcame was my fear that no one would like the styles I made or would want to wear my crazy art jewelry. I was making stuff that I thought people wanted, and it wasn’t even stuff I would wear myself. It wasn’t until I decided to let my hands do whatever they wanted that I started to be successful, while also being in love with my work!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider most of my work to be wearable art, and I no longer think of myself as a “small business” because I’m really not a business and I don’t really aspire to be a jewelry factory anytime soon. It takes me a long time to make my items and I don’t normally make duplicates so everything is one of a kind! One of my best sellers are my handmade wire wrapped rings and they range from simple to elegantly eclectic! I’m very proud of them, and many people tell me they have never seen anything like my rings!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for people just starting out is to always be yourself. People/ customers can always tell when you’re not genuine, and you’ll never get far by being something you’re not.
Pricing:
- Rings ($12-$30) with wholesale prices available.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CaitCreatesJewelry.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: @Cait.Creates.Jewelry
Image Credits
Caitlyn Behnke
