My name is Chloe, and four years ago I was signed off work sick, and I never went back.
I now run a shop in Leeds, just outside the City Centre, and after two years, I finally feel settled enough to go into production on something on a bigger scale. Until now I've been making one-off jewellery pieces, always with metallic elements and usually with a custom element as well.
I've been asked if I would supply other shops and websites, but as everything is a one-off, it's not been easy. Yes, I could have made loads of something all the same with the same charms bought in bulk, but this wouldn't interest me unless I've had some input in the design if not in the making.
A lot of people who start as i have done go into laser-cutting jewellery - I love this, but it's not really something I'd like to make. Besides, the sort of perspex jewellery I would like and make is already out there.
So instead, I decided to try and find some way to mass produce metal jewellery. I did a workshop course to see if I could mass produce it myself with metal clay, but the quality wasn't sufficient for me, and it would take time away from working in my actual shop.
Looking around online, I couldn't find someone who makes enamel jewellery in the UK, and I really wanted to be able to make it in the UK. Luckily for me, I have a staff member who found me an enamel badge maker just down the road. I've been in contact with them, and am trying to get a sample made of an enamel charm.
So now we get to the point.
In order for me to get charms made, there is a one off charge of around £30 to get a cutter made, and I'd like to make a range of three designs in different shapes. They will all be cats, in two tone metal, as the photo shows. In order to be able to get them, I need an injection of funding. I can't keep asking my husband.
People have said they would buy this stuff if I made it, so I thought, well why not try CrowdFunding to raise the money, and send them a necklace when it's made! I can even offer other services to help raise the money if they don't want a necklace.
If I don't reach my goal, I will put the remaining money towards it myself but will only be able to make one necklace instead of three.
If I manage to pull this off, it will mean I can supply other shops and websites with jewellery I've designed and helped to make, whilst still being able to run my own business. It will mean that people who've been asking me to supply them, can be supplied, and I can be happy that I've had a lot of input in what I'm supplying them with.
