Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Nemec.
Peter, before we jump into specific questions about your busines, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My jewelry-making journey started back in high school, some 29 years ago, when I got the crazy idea I could hand make my own jewelry. My very resourceful dad provided me with some tools and pure silver tokens to experiment with. I started my research and checked out books from the library on silversmithing and jewelry making. Through trial and error, I taught myself how to forge and solder silver. I then started selling jewelry to my friends in high school. After years of having a “real” job, getting married, and having kids, my jewelry-making hobby dwindled. Unexpectedly a few years ago, the company I worked for over 16 years closed their doors and I found myself contemplating a new career. I decided there was no better time for me to take a chance and open up my jewelry studio full-time.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been harder than I imagined because almost all of the marketing for small businesses is through social media these days. Networking online is not my forte’ although sites like Etsy are great, they are saturated with endless options for buyers. My jewelry is all handcrafted and made from sterling silver and quality materials. Because of this, it is typically priced higher than similar type items online, which are of lower quality. It is challenging to convince an online buyer to choose my product over another lower priced one.
Since sales online were slow, I also decided to start selling my jewelry on weekends at my neighborhood farmers market. This provided an opportunity to put my work on display so people could see it, touch it and appreciate my craftsmanship.
Please tell us about your business.
I primarily work in silver and make everything by hand. I like to work with different shapes of wire and manipulate them into beautiful pieces of jewelry. I love working with opals and have been buying opal triplets from a family in Australia that has been mining them since the 60’s. The small family business connection makes it even more special to have these beautiful stones in my work. My hand fabrication skills set me apart from others. I try to optimize my designs and processes for repeatability.
For example, I can hand make twenty pairs of earrings and keep them so consistent that one would think they were cast or made by a machine. Although I truly enjoy the organic process of one-of-a-kind pieces, when trying to sell online, consistency is key.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I grew up in Dallas and it’s always been home to me. I have always appreciated that although it’s a big city, there are so many great areas of the metroplex and things to do. I bought my home in Farmers Branch 16 years ago and enjoyed the established small-town feel of this city and it’s the central location to downtown and other suburbs. I think the traffic has gotten drastically worse over the years and have to say this is my least favorite thing about living here. The great thing about having my own business is there is no commute!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.placebometalworks.com
- Email: peter@placebometalworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/placebometalworks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlaceboMetalworks
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