Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn Allen.
Lauryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started sunmoonandcrystals in my senior year of high school. I had some extra time in between classes and started wire wrapping crystals and really started to get interested in the history and meaning of stones and what they meant to people in different cultures. I’d already had such a love and fascination with jewelry that I knew I could never at that time afford exactly what I admired and I knew if I wanted it, I’d have to learn to make it myself. I come from an artistic background, my families always been great with their hands always made art, I knew I had to pursue art to make myself happy in life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say the road to get where I am today has been more like a series of different staircases. It started out with me wire wrapping jewelry, then I took the big step to learn how to properly Metalsmith and work with precious stones and metals. As I realized I needed to turn the art that I loved into something that could sustain me, it became evident that I would have to learn a lot outside of how to make art, which was the largest obstacle for me as I have ADHD and Dyslexia. Focusing on tasks that don’t interest me in the slightest are the hardest like paperwork, I hate having to spend a day learning the legal sides of things and I know everyone hates taxes, but learning that end of how to run a small successful business was honestly the largest challenge and is still challenging me to this day. Things like figuring out what permits, I need to operate out of my home or to vend my jewelry for fares. I think my biggest advice to other women going down a similar business road as me is to do all the research you can as soon as you can and go as in-depth as possible to cover all your bases.
What should we know about Sun Moon And Crystals? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in handmade one-of-a-kind silver and gold jewelry. My style is mostly inspired by Southwestern Spanish styles and Gothic designs. I’m known mostly for my Whimsical work with turquoise and many other stones. I’ll do releases specialized to a type of stone or a theme such as Summer Nights. In a Summer Nights theme release, you would most likely see jewelry of all kinds all holding this unique theme. Rings with constellations and pendants with flashy stones detailed in camping themes. Each piece would have a little detail of summer in it. I’ll also do releases based around a new technique I’ve learned that will be cohesive in stone selection and designs. I’m proud, that I’ve reached a point where I have my own website and an amazing Friends Nicole, of Bear Branded Sites to help me run it along with organizing me on the business end and planning the future of my Sun Moon And Crystals with me! I’m so proud to have grown to a point where I need my own website and have people that regularly return for custom orders and releases. Nothing makes me happier than to see a returning customer adding more of my art to there collection!
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Mentors are a funny thing. I’ve had good mentors and I’ve had mentors that have taught me stuff but never really given value to what I’ve been helping them with. I think the best way to network and find mentors that are right for you is to reach out to your community, find online groups or local chapters that have a rich selection of mentors to choose from. The more options you have for yourself, the more little you will be able to find the right fit for you.
Pricing:
- Items in my releases can range from $25- $300
- I will take on custom gold, silver, and mixed metal orders
- wholesale purchases will be available soon
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunmoonandcrystals.com
- Email: Sunmoonandcrystals@gmial.com
- Instagram: @sunmoonandcrystals
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SunMoonAndCrystals
Image Credit:
Sun Moon And Crystals
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