Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Cronin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My passion for jewelry has always been a part of my soul. Even in high school, I would be sitting in my bedroom with The Doors CD playing in the background as I made necklaces. It wasn’t until I was a stay at home mom that I began to think about my passion as a possible business venture.
I began by just making earrings and the other mothers in my little circle or people from church started buying them. It was very exciting in the beginning because people began contacting me asking if I could bring jewelry to the next gathering to sell.
At that point, I really started praying about investing in a business of my own and thankfully my husband was on board too. I officially started my business in 2007, but it hasn’t been the easiest journey, there have been a lot of highs along with some low points.
Along the way, I have met some amazing people that have given me some wonderful opportunities.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I view myself as an artist first and businesswoman second. Maybe I have it backwards, but the business side has been a struggle to balance with my artistic side. All I want to do is create beautiful pieces of jewelry and then create more.
I lost myself along the way by trying to accommodate what people want as opposed to what my heart wanted to create. When I first started my business, I didn’t want to make any custom jewelry. But when I added hand stamped jewelry to my collection, the custom orders started coming in.
It is a wonderful thing to have people trust you with their custom orders. But it did seem to smother my creative side a bit. Because instead of making what I envisioned I was being micromanaged in a sense.
So I had to pull away and began turning down orders if the client wouldn’t agree to let me take care of the artistic side of the order. Meaning they tell me what they want stamped and then step away and let me create the piece.
Custom work is very tricky, that is a lesson I have learned the hard way. Luckily, I have learned from that, and I don’t hold back creatively now. And now I know that when people order from me, it’s because they do love my style and want that.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I love a fusion of rustic, boho and country all wrapped up in a bow. So I always want to add a sprinkle of all that in my pieces. I really feel that what sets my style apart from most jewelry out there is the adding of hand stamped metal. When I am making something with my hands and making it from scratch, it is the most satisfying feeling.
I feel a connection to the past when I grab a piece of brass or copper that is flat and new. Then I grab my brass hammer and begin hammering letters then grabbing a texture hammer and texturing the metal. Depending on the piece I’m creating I ink the metal, paint the metal, shape the metal or cut the metal.
I do the same with my leather pieces, I start out with a piece of leather and cut what I need.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I am from San Antonio, Texas and we don’t ever get much snow there. When I was in elementary school, we actually did get a good amount of snowfall!! It was a miracle and the best day ever! We played in the snow for hours. Snowball fights galore! I remember the snow being so perfect and fluffy. It has always been a fun memory.
Pricing:
- Bracelets $25.00 and under
- Necklaces $29.00 and under
- Rings $35.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.facebook.com/groups/rubyleonjewelry
- Email: rubyleonjewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rubyleonjewelry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/rubyleonjewelry
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/rubyleonjewelry
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
