Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Hammer.
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hi! I’m Emily the Owner/Creator behind Emmy Lou Jewelry. I have always loved jewelry. Growing up, I loved to go into bead shops. All the little trays with tiny gemstones, rows of different color beads, endless possibilities of creative expression! I made friendship bracelets, like all pre-teen girls, did & got so much satisfaction from giving away something I made by hand. Fast forward to my late 20’s. I was still making jewelry, mostly for myself, when my friends began to ask me to make custom pieces. I started tinkering and learning along the way. I took a few classes at local bead shops and requests started picking up. I remember by first jewelry bench. Living in PB; I didn’t have a lot of space for a proper work space. I went to an antique shop in east county and found an old fashion school desk…the kind with the top that opened and an attached chair. Pretty soon it was overflowing with all of my supplies and I had to upgrade! I now have a custom-made jewelry bench but I can’t wait for the day when I can have my own she-shed! The more I was creating, the happier I found myself. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing someone love a piece of jewelry you’ve made. I started picking up more and more until it became undeniable that I had to step it up. I started networking with local jewelers and telling everyone about my intentions to bring Emmy Lou Jewelry to life! Once I started making my intentions known…I was able to get out of my own way and started laying the groundwork for a business to begin to take shape. Up until this point, I’ve been selling on Instagram and to my ever expanding web of friends, yogis, colleagues, and customers. I’m excited to announce that emmyloujewelry.com is coming soon! I’m working with a local designer chassiebelldesign.com who is helping me bring my vision to life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course not! Growing up on the East Coast; I followed the path that was expected of me…do well in school, go to college, get a job, get married… you may know the story.
Something happened along the way though. My perspective shifted. I started questioning what truly makes me happy and how I could serve. What am I good at? What lights me up? Once I tapped into this mindset, I started to believe in myself and in my ability to forge my own path.
If I’m being honest, the biggest obstacle has always been a lurking feeling of self-doubt. I can be the queen of getting in my own way. I can see what I want but not the steps to get there. It’s easier sometimes to use being “busy” as a crutch to taking the next step. Holding down a full time job, teaching yoga, and figuring out how to start a business isn’t for sissies! It takes a lot of guts, perseverance and boundaries to turn a hobby into a dream…a dream into reality.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love working with gemstones. I source my stones from all over the country; traveling to gem shows to handpick my stones. Along with gems, I do all of my own hammer work. All the earring frames(hoops, etc) are handcrafted. I love working with gold and silver to make each piece unique. While I make duplicates of some styles…no two pieces will be the same. Making each piece is a labor of love.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
-My husband…Rob. He’s been in my corner from the beginning. Binga a photographer, he knows what it’s like to start his own business! He’s been quietly standing by until I was ready to move to the next stage.
-Local bead shop owners: they’ve been there at all of the different stages of my hobby turned business.Julia & Juan from Beads & More in PB. Jenny, Dani & Alex from Lost Cities Beads. Lauren & Sarah from Oskadusa Beads.
-My core group of girlfriends who have been supporting my dream and wearing my jewelry from the beginning!
-My sister Jess has started her own business. Her strength is unparalleled (inside & out). I’ve loved watching her come into her own as I’ve started bringing this to life at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Email: emily@emmyloujewelry.com
- Website: coming soon! Emmyloujewelry.com
- Instagram: @emmyloujewelry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmilyCHammer
Image Credits
Rob Hammer Photography
