Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Ballard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the owner of Foxycat and a GIA-certified jeweler. Each piece of Foxycat jewelry is handmade by me in my San Clemente studio using recycled, USA-sourced metals and high-quality gemstones. Foxycat brings a modern twist to southwestern inspired jewelry that is made with love and made to last.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I first started “making jewelry” in high school. Back then, I was a Golden Spoon employee with over-bleached hair. I would drive to the local bead store after school to buy chain and charms to make my own necklaces. I knew a university wasn’t in my future, so I did what any 19 years old girl with anxiety and uneven, winged eyeliner would do, and enrolled in beauty school. Cosmetology license in hand, I started working in a salon as an assistant and receptionist. After two years, I knew this wasn’t the right career for me and went back to school.
The first time I picked up a jeweler’s saw was at Saddleback Community College in 2014. I’ll never forget the feeling. I loved it and knew I had found my place. After the bench jeweler class, I started investing in tools and built up a workspace in my garage. I would come home from work and stay up until midnight teaching myself how to work with silver, set stones, and cry over the metal I melted in between. Shortly after, Foxycat jewelry was born. With the help of Instagram and Etsy, I was able to go full time with my business in 2016 and have been creating one of a kind pieces since.
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I was a mess, but jewelry gave me purpose. From my tiny studio, I was able to make special gifts for couples who were getting married, for people who had lost loved ones, for mother’s who had given birth. Jewelry taught me patience, gratitude, and the importance of health. I took better care of myself because the better I felt, the more productive I was, the more my life and business improved.
Advice? If you think something is going to suck, make it anyway. If you think there’s no way someone will buy this, they will. It may take two weeks or two years, but it will speak to someone. Lastly, you’ll be asked to make things that are more advanced than your skillset. Say yes anyway and learn along the way. Buy books, read blogs, and if you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, reach out to other jewelers or people in your industry.
Please tell us about Foxycat Jewelry.
Foxycat jewelry specializes in one of a kind designs and custom orders. From turquoise to diamonds, I pride myself on making heirloom quality pieces with great attention to detail. Every year, I travel to Tucson, AZ to meet with lapidary artists and gem dealers for unique, high grade stones. In a world of mass production, it is very important for me to make jewelry my clients can cherish for a lifetime.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Finding a mentor might be challenging in this industry unless an artist or jewelry business is looking for an assistant. Still, you will have to put in the time to understand basic techniques and skills. Research where they offer classes in your area, read books, find Facebook groups, YouTube. Don’t be the person who expects someone to teach you everything they know when you haven’t put in the initial work yourself. For me, Instagram has been a wonderful community for networking with artists. Most are very busy, but also nice enough to answer some questions you may have.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopfoxycat.com
- Email: shopfoxycat@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxycat
Image Credit:
Paige Campbell Linden
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