Hi, this is Sugar Gay Yisra, and I am the host of Jolias Your Side Hustle.
And today we have a very special guest, Sarah Mizrahe.
And I am so excited.
I think she can say her name better than me, but she knows what I'm saying.
Sarah Mizrahe.
I'm going to get that little, ah.
But anyway, we're so glad to have her.
And it's a beautiful day today, and the sun is coming into her studio, and you can just
see the sun on her face.
So it's going to be a great little hour we're going to spend today.
And we're going to get to know about Sarah.
I'm so excited.
Yay.
So Sarah, I'm in Austin, Texas.
Where are you?
I'm in Skokie, Illinois, some, like a little bit north of Chicago, or in the northern suburbs.
In the north.
Is it a beautiful day there?
Yeah, actually, it turned out to become quite beautiful.
It was like really cloudy this morning.
We have like a lot of heat and a lot of sun, and then it kind of flipped.
So like cooler weather, but not cold, just like mild and then just rainy and cloud.
So today it's, we have some sun again, which is really lovely.
Is it feeling like fall already there?
I don't know.
We had false fall, and then we had like second summer.
And then I think we're back into like fall, but possibly false fall, and then supposed
to get a little bit warmer again.
Well, it's a transition time, that's for sure.
You know, at least there's a lot of people in the US that are really suffering this week
with the hurricane.
Yeah.
And for at least, I have to say I'm happy that I'm not there, but I'm sorry for those
people.
You know, my happens to be my oldest is very into meteorology.
She's eight, but she's been into it already for quite a long time, since around like two
or three, asking those questions.
So my in-laws are in Cincinnati.
They lost power over the weekend, but thankfully, other than some really, really, really, I mean,
it was like 70 mile per hour winds actually in some area, they luckily did okay.
And I've told her, because she's, she's curious about, she asks about tornadoes and things
like that.
I'm like, kiddo, we live thankfully where we live, we don't tend to get certain types
of weather tornadoes.
There have been like a few while we've lived here and she gets a little scared, but we
talk about it.
So she's, she's still very much into it.
She was talking to me about the hurricane.
And I told her, just be very thankful.
My in-laws are moving to Florida, although on the other side, but it terrifies me.
Like to be that close to that kind of weather.
Like, I don't love it.
I don't know what to say.
I would not move to Florida right now.
I mean, my parents are back in New York and we're in Brooklyn.
So we've gotten, I mean, thankfully, the most we got was really with Hurricane Sandy.
Otherwise, we tend to just get like the back end of things.
Right.
And I, I'm not as, I can't even, like I've seen people posting pictures and videos.
And I just, it does affect all of us.
Go great.
We'll be there, but also your heart breaks because you want to be able to help or do
something and other than like donating money, I just, yeah.
Not much we can do.
What are you supposed to do?
Yeah.
Let's talk about you.
Tell us about your journey and how you got started.
So, so you have three children.
Yeah.
And you're working in your home studio down in your basement room, a room that you garbed
out.
But tell me about how you got started.
Like, how did this whole jewelry thing begin?
Because it's like in you when you, when you're a creator, you got to create.
Did you do anything before?
So this has kind of been my thing for like a good 30 years of my life.
I started as a little kid.
And then I was just making stuff like for my mom and she would always love it and wear
it.
And I was very good with colors and patterns.
Even then, although I didn't realize it at the time.
And then, you know, some years past, I'm still just my thing.
And at 13, my best friend had come over and it was one of those like rainy, yucky days
and we're like, what are we going to do?
My mom took us to Fabric Bonanza, that was the name of the store.
It's been gone for a long time now and picked out like some clay beads and some wire and
things like that.
And we were making stuff and I made a necklace.
I vaguely remember what it looks like.
It was like this burgundy and black or like purplish and black.
It's like a flower clay bead with maybe some crystals and some like pewter beads or something.
But she has such a strong reaction to it.
She was like, I mean, I mean, when we were 13, she was like amazed by it.
And I was like, something clicked in my hand.
I'm like, oh, I can do this for more than just my mom.
This is something that I can do.
And I started selling, my mom helped me.
I started selling in like the local bingo halls, you know, like the old movie theaters.
I just turned into bingo halls.
I had like, you know, like $5 things.
And I started, you know, just slowly from there, I started working towards like using
Serovsky crystal, which I'm so upset that they don't make anymore.
Me too.
Although I don't really use them so much.
So like, I kind of just like have them in my containers and I'm just like, I use them
sparingly or like when my kids open up.
And they'll be like, I see for them to use those.
And I started using glass seed beads.
And this was like around like 15.
I was doing a lot of like, I started using like all these small tiny things doing and
I would start using like barrel clasps.
So I started teaching myself how to create like the loops and other things to keep them
closed and crimps.
And so I was just kind of that whole time really just self taught.
And then by the time I got to 17, I started really looking into like Cobble Hill Park
slope, like the areas that are like artsy fartsy in Brooklyn.
So it wasn't where like the local places anymore.
It was a little bit, I had to just get out of that zone to where really where the population
was that was a little more appreciative of the handmade item.
And so I started there finding like those big annual markets to do.
I was, I went to FIT at that Affession Institute of Technology, but in the meantime, I was
still kind of doing my own thing.
Even after that, like maybe a couple of other skills, but still really just all the ones
that I've taught myself.
And basically at 18-ish, as soon as I could, I filed like for my business license, like
I got the bank account set up, just making it official.
That way I can get like the wholesale tax ID and everything.
And I just wanted to get it started.
Like I just wanted to do it.
So I just kept on doing my own thing, finding these markets.
Although at the same time, at some point, I also started working in early childhood as
an aid and then an assistant.
So like I was also getting my craft out at that, at like on that side too, and I loved
to do all that stuff.
But jewelry was still happening, like even through that.
And I was still doing markets on Sundays and doing like girls night out things and whatever
I could do.
And then I was, it was 2008.
So I was 22 and I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
So I kind of had to switch gears because I liked making like what you have, like these
big statement pieces.
And I would wear them all the time, but like they were shorter, but like these just like
using like gemstones and sterling at that point, gold fill, but like these, I like to
make like these big statement pieces.
And at that point after I had had my surgery, even now, it's still just very sensitive.
I mean, you could see the scar still, but it's very sensitive.
So I really can't put too much weight on it.
And I'm like, you know, I got, I kind of just internally started changing the way I started
designing.
So instead of making these big heavier pieces, kind of taking the elements that I wanted
and then creating a simpler look out of them.
So instead be like more pendants and earrings.
I still love to make earrings.
Those are my favorite things to make.
But kind of like just taking those elements that I wanted, the colors, the metals, the
look that I wanted to give, like the textures and the shapes and just create something simpler
out of it.
So something that I still have trouble wearing certain things like certain chains can kind
of be a little bit uncomfortable, but I'll wear them here and there and also either
only my kids and my youngest will pull it right off.
So I really bothered unless I'm going out.
But it was an easier way for me to be able to like picture wearing something.
And it was easier to relate to.
So I started making more of these like simple statement pieces instead of these big, huge
collars.
I had finally gotten my ears pierced at like 20-ish.
So I was also able like I would design these, I love long earrings, although I'm not wearing
any right now, but I really started getting into that aspect of like just evolving with
between like that.
And then there was the recession earlier that year in 2008.
So like it was kind of like this multiple scenario situation that really like geared
me towards changing what I was doing and making something that was just a little bit more relatable
for me.
And I felt in the end actually more relatable to my customer.
So I think it was easier to be able to wear something that maybe you could also layer
a little bit more.
But that was how I kind of switched into what I've been doing since then and getting into
brass, like loving these geometric brass.
Like I love mixing like those, these hard angles with like softer gemstone shapes.
So yeah, it's always been a part of my life in the last year-ish.
Been like diving really deeper into all aspects of business, not just, you know, the fun stuff,
but really having to make like harder decisions and be like, okay, do you really need to buy
this supply?
Do you really need to make a new design?
You know, really have to meet yourself, do things you necessarily want to do.
But I've been enjoying you all the same and teaching myself new skills.
I mean, you're an artist from birth.
Like that's just how you are.
It came out.
You're an entrepreneur from birth.
Not everybody has these skills.
Like it's just what we are.
Like I know I'm just like you.
I was born an artist.
So whatever it takes, I put every penny I've ever made back into my art and to my craft
and getting better and better and better and better and better and changing it all up all
the time and learning new things.
It's totally self-taught just like you.
So I appreciate what you do.
I really do.
And then having three kids and surviving cancer, you know, that was, that's a really big deal.
So all these things affect us and we put all that back into our jewelry and it does change
our, what our product is for sure.
Something happens and so we're changing it up.
Yeah, it was different.
It was like this change of perspective.
Like I really enjoy the way I've evolved.
Like it was really something I taught.
I had to learn so much and also really have to be like self-aware.
You really have to accept certain things.
Like if someone gives you some kind of criticism, like you have to listen to it and understand
why.
I definitely had some interesting reactions to pieces.
Like there are people who insisted, like, and I was honest, I would always be honest.
Like if something was glass, I'll tell them it's glass.
Yeah, something insisting that it wasn't even glass, that it was actual stone.
And I'm like, why would I tell you that it was glass instead of stone if I wanted to
sell it, like, you know, maybe get a different reaction for something that's glass versus
stone, but whatever.
And, you know, you get all these different kinds of reactions and feedback and you also
have to listen to it.
Some of it can certainly write off and other things that, you know, you get some really
good ideas.
I noticed I, you know, could see an outfit and I get inspired by a pattern I find or
I really love to dress people.
I have been doing these fashion mood boards.
Like I really, really, really, really, really love to be able to pick out an outfit and
help somebody accessorize.
I like to do that at markets too.
Like I ask questions like what typical color, like if it's earrings, what length, what
usual shapes, because you know, there are, there are studs, there are hoops, there are
dangles of all different shapes and sizes.
So I'd like to ask questions, you know, try to get an answer to show them that I'm trying
to help, not necessarily push, but then I'm trying to help so I can maybe even help them
have a better idea of what it is they're looking for.
Because it's happened, you know, they didn't necessarily think about something until I
mentioned it.
So I'm glad to be able to be that person, but it's all these different perspectives
that come in.
And I think even asking them like what is your day job?
Because if they're a daycare worker, they're not going to be wearing dangling earrings
like that.
And if they're, we are going to an office every day, that black dress that they've been wearing
all the time, and now they'll look better with a beautiful necklace or an earring or
something like that.
And that kind of helps the, for them to understand where they're going to, where, where this
piece is going to be worn.
They just kind of jerk up Sunday.
Like is it just fancy dinners?
Is it a ball?
Like all those kind of things, I think they always come into play.
I think those are really good questions to have.
Just also just keeps the conversation going and connects you to them.
Right?
Yeah, for sure.
And that's the way they kind of get an understanding of, of your aesthetic too.
And then you get an idea of something that maybe they're even dreaming about and you
can help them, you can help them make that happen.
So I love custom orders.
So for me, that's always fun.
I like to be able to work back and forth and I find out I have a someone actually who's
been a customer of mine since like 2008 or someone she found me in Brooklyn and we're
both in different parts of the country than we both were in New York.
But like we've collaborated a few times and like, you know, even if I have to restring
something or, you know, if it takes an extra few minutes of my time, I like that process
because in the end also like it helps me learn something and it also makes them happy.
I think that every time I make a piece of jewelry, I'm learning something.
I mean, I don't care if I've made 10,000 hearings, which I probably have.
Still today I made some for a customer.
It was a freebie to go along with a bracelet that she'd ordered.
And I just, I like to do that because it doesn't take very long to put six beads together.
But I always am like, yeah, I'm always, I'm checking every little part of it.
And that's from years of experience, just making earrings, like three stone earrings.
Making sure that like the loops are closed.
Yes.
Make sure it's straight.
There's no little rough edges, making sure the top is all, I don't know.
I get it.
Like it's something that people don't understand.
That's that artisan part of us that we're, we want our clients.
I don't call them customers.
I say they're my clients because I want that relationship with it, a long-term relationship
with them.
They're not just a customer where they walk into Walmart, but a client is somebody working
on repeat, right?
I'm just, I'm talking while you're coughing because I can see your coughing.
But I definitely try really hard to make the clients really happy, like crazy how hard
I work for the customers and clients that I do have.
And where do you sell your jewelry now?
Because that's also part of the development of an artist is how have things gone?
Where are you and how are those?
Like until you're choking, choking girl, like cough it up, cough it up.
I don't know.
I got a tickle in my throat and that's the end.
I know how that is.
Yeah.
Water went through my mouth.
I have, so I have a home site.
I have a Nazi site.
And what's the name of this?
What's the name of this?
Let's talk about your name.
And then I'm in about 15 stores, mostly like local in Illinois.
And then a couple in Georgia, in New Florida.
Wow.
So you're really all out of that you cough for a second while you catch your breath.
I don't know if you need it in your own water.
It's okay.
Just take a breath.
It's not right when it don't force it.
No big rush.
Like 15 stores is a lot of stores.
So you're doing really well.
And I definitely want to hear about what your Etsy shop name is and also what your great
handle is.
And also where we connected like I think it was on a...
The artisan group.
Yeah.
Artisan group.
I wish I knew about so long ago.
I used to like, I don't know, like I was still young, like younger, like around 20.
Like I was approached by this random PR group.
And like I had the money like for myself at the time.
So I was like, you know, okay, let's just do this.
But like at the end of the day, when I look back at it, like it kind of helped shape like
my brand name and some other things.
But like, oh my gosh, I wish I knew about the artisan group because they helped, they've
done so much more for me than I was doing with that PR group.
So it was kind of like I'm so much money.
I'm going to let you cough for a second and I'll just kind of fill in a little blank here.
But you know, I think when I joined the artisan group, it was really to connect with celebrities.
Isn't that right?
And then I haven't really gone through them for anything, but I have done a lot of movie
things.
And so it's just kind of like, if you kind of get that in your mind, like that's kind
of what I want.
Like kind of like something that you can make happen, I'm making a piece right now for one
of the Black Panther actresses.
And I sent it along with a little bracelet and blah, blah, blah.
So I'm actually going to remake it, change it up a little bit, make it a little bit smaller
for it because it's a little actresses.
It's so tiny.
And are you feeling better?
And are you struggling there?
And I felt bad for you.
So yeah, but the artisan group is a great group.
Are you affiliated with any other groups?
Because you know, there's a lot of groups out there.
Not like with PR strictly.
I mean, my goal is honestly to be like approached, at least like with the artisan side of things.
Like I would love to be approached by a costume designer that wants to order something or
like have something specially made.
Like 100%, like that's a goal for me.
Yeah, what is the names of your Etsy shop?
Let's talk about the job.
Everything is the same, so it makes it very easy.
It's Sarah Sellers jewelry.
So that way, I mean, even Twitter, but honestly, I really don't do anything on Twitter.
I used to.
But then for some reason I got locked out of my own account and it just disappeared.
So I started another one, but I really don't do anything on it because also when it used
to be part of Meta.
So like in the briefing on Instagram would go there.
So I think it's locked in.
It's all about money really.
Yeah, so I have it's on Facebook, Instagram, and I actually couldn't I figure out how to
connect Pinterest and Instagram.
That's a new thing.
So that way my Pinterest is like back to being active instead of like once every six months.
So like on there, it's like we're jewelry creators.
We have to be content creators.
Yes.
Oh yeah, 100%.
Like you have to think of so many different aspects.
Like you have to, you know, you have to show up.
You have to show your face.
You have to talk about yourself.
And then you have to like, you know, if you show things being worn and how to wear it.
And then if you have that press, like celebrity, whatever kind of press to bring that up also
and try to do the best that you can to get that, get that out there.
I mean, with when it comes to like TV and movies, it's like you're always crossing your
fingers and hoping because you never know.
And then like what, what's happened to all the pieces that we've sent over the years?
Like where are they now?
I have no idea.
And then you maybe one day like that's happened before in the group where someone's wearing
something on a completely different show and you're like, okay.
Oh, the costume designer happened to me.
You put it on something else.
Yeah.
I mean, it happened to me with one of my bracelets I had sent for a movie and then it was on,
it was an Apple TV show, Amber, Amber Brown or something like that.
But I don't know.
I didn't expect.
I was like, all right, fine.
But it's just, I'm very curious to know where in earth my pieces are that, that like that
were worn and that weren't worn.
I kind of think, I think it's interesting because I love ancient jewelry and I love looking
to see what they've dug up, you know, from ancient times.
And I kind of wonder if all of these creations, I don't even know how many things I've created
since I was, like you said, early on, like I was early into this as a very young child
and creating not just jewelry, but all kinds of art and like where, what will happen to
these pieces as eons go and all of those things that I have sent all around the world.
Like, you know, I kind of wonder like somebody, they're going to dig this stuff up and go,
what?
Yeah, I mean, I've, I, my earrings were worn on this is us.
And that's going to be like five years ago almost to zoo.
I remember it was in February of 2020.
And I mean, I've sold them all over the world at this one, like I've sold them to Tokyo
all over the UK.
I sent actually to Australia.
So that was, that was amazing.
Yeah.
So it's like, it's really interesting, like that many years later, people are still, I
mean, obviously the show is also now a Netflix so people can watch it and are finding it
again or rewatching it.
And I like sold it to all these different places.
And like I wonder, like in all that time, the original earrings, like, where are they
now?
It's like, you know, but I love that I've sent them everywhere.
You have any pieces that are right there where you are, where you're sitting?
So you can show us.
I was actually, so I've been building some, I've been building some stock and then I
always try to go through things to be like, okay, what can I just like kind of keep around
for like store purposes that I don't do, I do mixture of like the wholesale styles where
I make multiples and then I do like small batch and then I have pieces that are like
one ox.
So I try to do like a whole mixture because I feel like it also stunts my creative process
too much if I only do the same things over and over again.
So let's see, I have this really cool bar necklace.
Put your hand behind that so we can see it.
Put your hand behind it.
That's good though.
Okay.
Oh, what is that made of?
It's beautiful.
So that's all brass.
I've been working a lot with brass because it's technically a hyperallergenic material
and it ages beautifully.
So becomes like, I mean, you can polish it, but it becomes like this really nice, bronzy-ish,
rustic color.
So I've been loving to work with it a lot.
And it's fun because over time, I collected all the shapes and I'm like, oh, that's cool.
And then not really necessarily always knowing what to do with it.
So a piece like this comes around where I have these V shapes that didn't really work
for too much, but then making these bib necklaces, because they thread onto the vault chain,
I was like, oh, that's really super cool.
I have done when we have that aha moment, like, oh, look at this.
This is great.
And like, along this similar style, I had actually gifted these to the artists in group
to Zoe Kravitz.
Those are beautiful.
And I was almost, I really hope that when the Batman movie had come out, like these were
so Selena and she did.
I mean, I don't know how ever they chose her, you know, chose what she wear, but like,
I was so hoping for some reason I was going to see these on her, because it would have
been so perfect with her character.
But I want to take a picture of these because they're just really, really cool.
And I love that that there's something that I've still been selling since then, too.
Yeah, they're beautiful.
And they're, and they're not like so, they look heavier than they are.
Which I also adorable actress, I think she said, like lightweight.
But don't look lightweight and then I've been working on it, so I love florals and I do,
I do a lot of floral work.
Kind of getting like holiday inspired.
So these, if you can't tell, so I have to get some better lighting up.
But these are chrome diopsoin on the bombs for that, like nice forest green.
And then there's a freshwater pearl inside each flower.
Oh, those are beautiful.
A little bit of green in between, and it's spaces beautifully.
Those are beautiful holiday.
Or a theme where.
Kind of like, I've been trying to get, I don't usually do like strictly holiday or seasonal
trends I usually pick from what I have.
And where are those earrings available?
So these I just mean, I actually still have to photograph them.
These I'm probably going to put up on Etsy and my home site versus wholesale because
these, I mean, at least like the chrome diopsoid part of it, those are a little bit more of
a one off like stone availability.
But I think I'm going to put them on my home site and Etsy.
And I have, I can make like one or two more of those, but that would be like very limited
in there.
Get it now.
So these, I mean, they're just, they're just super, I love the way they move.
I actually had made one that was, it was just white pearl, but I didn't have them segmented.
I just had it all in a row and I usually don't do that.
But I kind of liked having something that was a little bit different from what I usually
do.
Those are beautiful.
So these just, they're just super pretty.
The right length and they have a lot of movement.
And I tell people that there are people who come to me like, Oh, I have short hair.
I can't pull off long earrings.
I'm like, boy, your neck is showing.
Show off your neck.
Like you don't have to do that.
Like you don't have to feel as if, you know, you're bringing too much attention.
Like that's the whole point.
You have a short hair.
Your hair is up.
Like mine is like pretty much every day.
Yeah.
I had told her, but there's something that I tell my customers.
It was like Faber J when he was making things for the Zarenes and all the, you know, back
in the way, way, way back times that he was making things with movement.
Like the TRs would have a little trimmer.
Honestly, it was, yes.
Cross the room.
That trimmer was noticed.
And it's the movement of the jewelry and the catching of light that really sets shimmer,
shimmer, shake, shake that catches the fish.
You know, it's not just a fishing lure.
It's, they put the little spinner on there to get that extra light.
Because we're still primal in the end of the day.
Yes, we are.
We are.
And you know why we like sparkle?
This is another thing that people don't realize because sparkle and our prehistoric men DNA
was meant that there was water.
They could see, oh, there was a sparkle somewhere in the distance.
Ah, there's water.
And so that water was something that we always gravitated for.
And so sparkle is really because of the water.
I feel like also a light source.
So yeah, no matter what, it's just part of survival.
Yeah, right.
Isn't it amazing how that is so primal in us and even wearing jewelry.
It's earliest times, 3,000 years ago.
I love ancient Egyptian, especially that was like one of the earliest things I was inspired
by was ancient Egyptian art and jewelry.
My mom is very into Japanese art and she would take me and my brother to the museums all
the time.
We would just go and enjoy it ourselves.
And I would love, I always love going to the ancient Egyptian, anything ancient Egyptian.
I'm not really into like English or Victorian, except for the jewelry and maybe glassware
and costume, not into like art.
But I love ancient Egyptian.
It's amazing how it's just so relevant even today, even though it was 4,000 years ago,
like 4,000 years ago.
And how, and the other thing that's interesting is how I think this is interesting anyways,
that during those time periods, which was over a long period of time, like a thousand
years, they really didn't vary from their theme.
Like this is the thing, everybody stick to it.
This is what we have available.
Everybody go.
But it was amazing, the fact that they were able to make such things with like, we have
lasers and electricity.
Exactly.
And to be able to do what they did by hand.
I mean, it's insane.
It is insane.
The mill work.
I mean, it's crazy.
Well, you think about back in the Stone Age when they were making jewelry and they were
wearing jewelry and what, rocks, horn, sticks.
That's all they got.
You know, it's take a take an ostrich egg and beat it to death, which is not an easy
thing by the way.
And for me, I have to like take a tile cutter, you know, like sauce, like cut it on, it's
just like, and then a drill.
It's a lot of work even with the hand tools.
But then they didn't have TVs and they had a lot of time and they were very inspired
because they were born artists too.
We're the exactly the same people.
Just we're just different time and they're making beautiful things way back then.
And I collect those resources because I love to go back and and kind of even they inspire
me to make things.
I have, I still collect books.
There was a newer one that I got, but it's I packed some stuff away for that way when
I can get ready for everything to be renovated.
But I collect here and there.
I'll go like if there's a like a special exhibit, I'll definitely get the books or just in general
if I find something in like a half price books or one of those places and just pick something
up and I, you know, like, why not?
It's always it's constant inspiration.
It's also a history lesson.
Yes, definitely.
I'm totally about that history lesson.
I love the history of that.
I just made a piece that was kind of a copy.
I'm not, you know, I can't like copy it exactly.
I had beads from like the sixties, which looked like the beads that were from 4000 years ago,
but it was made out of jet and the Celtic necklace.
That's not easy to get.
Yeah.
So but these, these weren't, but the shape was the same and the size was about the same.
I'm like, oh, wait a second.
I have those beads I've never used and I've been hanging on to them for, I don't know,
I've had them more than 15 years now.
I'm like, I know what I'm going to make with them.
I'm going to recreate this necklace, this photo that's coming up.
But and, and there was a little tricky because the way it was constructed, I don't know exactly
how it was constructed because you can't really see that, but there was no findings
at all that were visible.
So I had to kind of like think that through.
I'm going to make this and make this where it's like super.
Like a hidden hook.
It was more about like stringing multiple strings and then I had epoxy clay, little
tabs and then more of the things and then tabs and then it was how the necklace.
Yeah, it was some Celtic woman more, you know, 4,000 years ago.
And and so I don't know how they put it all together.
I have no idea.
You cannot see the construction of it, but I had to come up with a way.
I did.
And I was using epoxy clay and then that really kind of mimicked the look of the jet.
So that was pretty good too.
It all worked.
It's okay.
It's a bit better.
You know, if I go back, it's been a lot of time doing it, but I've got parts to go back
and do it in time.
My tray got a little cock-eyed and I kind of had it turned the wrong way.
And so I kind of have one side is kind of wearing a little bit.
Oh, you know, it's like that place.
That's it.
And it's like, ah, the scene, but just like that, we're learning.
That's right.
It is what it is.
You know, it's an artist statement.
It's, you know, these are pieces that can be hung on a wall.
They're not, you know, they're to be worn just like your things are all art.
They're art.
I tell people, like when you're not wearing them, hang them on the wall.
Like hang, like you can take those earrings and hang them on a light fixture and have
that kind of thing.
Oh, and get this.
You only get that sparkle.
Yeah.
I think it's so important that our customers.
So where do you have coming up for Christmas?
We have what's going on in your life in the next, this is the Q4 and how is Q4 looking
for you?
Like what's your, what's your big takeaway from Q4 coming up?
Well, so I usually do.
I haven't done as many markets, which has been part of my goal not to do as many in-person
markets.
I agree.
Usually, usually I do one in December itself, but they take forever to let you know.
If you're doing it or not.
I agree.
So usually that one is the Chicago Artisan Market.
I've been doing it the last few years.
That's usually like a couple of weeks or so before Christmas.
I have, I don't know if you did, but I had gifted a couple of pieces to only murders
in the building, but that was only supposed to be like towards the last couple of episodes
by the time we were finally able to, to like have them have us.
So I'm very excited to see if anything gets worn.
So also, I mean, you never know that it's already been picked up for like at least one
or two more seasons.
Yeah.
So you never know now for everybody who gifted, if, you know, we get that chance.
So that would be really cool.
I had sent these brass chandelier earrings and which those are I think available on Etsy
and everything like everything that has been gifted.
I usually have it in the name or it's going to be, there's a picture or it can be asked
questions or I used, I have like some of that I have press pages.
So there was a pair of the, like these cool brass chandelier earrings and then I sent
a pair of pearl earrings.
I think I sent it in, I believe I sent in these.
So these actually have white Kasumi pearls.
They're from Australia and it's like a brass, it's a brass bar.
So it's like it's very modern and timeless, but also I feel like, I mean, at least if
you're talking about Celine Gomez's character, I feel like it's kind of upper alley where
she just feels like these mix, like it's like a mixture of times, the way she dresses.
So I love the costume designer.
So I did, I have that.
And then I don't know if there's what, there's the movie red one that's coming out in November
that's with Chris Evans and in the rock that a lot of us had gifted to, we're like that
Christmas movie that we'll see.
I mean, we'll see what happens with all of those.
And I don't know if we're going to have time to go to the theater to watch it.
So I'll have to get lucky that either somebody sees it or eventually when it comes out streaming
and then you have to watch it like five times, you know, really catch it because you never
know.
And it's an action movie.
So who knows.
But yeah, so I've been doing a lot of work just trying to expand like my like my store
outreach and trying to really get myself into other states.
So that's what I love to do, even though like I have local and I love local.
My goal for sure is to like pop up in like the Northwest and even back in the Northeast,
although Brooklyn is not not so easy.
They very much love artists, but it's not easy being an artist in Brooklyn.
But yeah, just trying to trying to spread myself out a bit.
I think that customers want to know that there's a little bit of gold shine on us.
It's like they're one connection away from something that also tells the story.
So when they're talking to people and people say, oh, I love those earrings, you know,
oh, yeah, they are the same earrings that were worn by blah, blah, blah.
And so that's kind of the reason why we do this.
I think it's, you know, it's just part of the kind of the show and tell of where we
are as artisans that, you know, that somebody else is likes our jewelry enough to be putting
it into a movie or a show like it does.
Yeah, you like that little bit of depth.
I mean, it shouldn't be everything that you are.
I guess like you should be able to like still express yourself in ways that it's like, oh,
I'm not just on this movie, that movie, this book, like you really showing your your work
as as as art.
But can people can people go to your website and see like a media page?
Is that how you yeah, I did have I have a press page.
Although because someone had done it for me, I don't know coding.
I have there's a press page and then basically referring to items and then you can search
like through the items and shop and then like you can see pieces that way.
And I'm not see I'm not see too.
I usually will try to have the first image as the image that, you know, if it was gifted
to a show, like, you know, a mock up with the show or, you know, keep things in the
name so people, you know, can find things.
The tax tags are yeah, so important for sure.
Yeah, well, I was working on I was in the hospital over the weekend, but I had SE orders
and I was contacting the people and letting them know.
We go off on Monday and then today when they go do the SE order and almost everything was
just like so hard.
It was like, oh my God, took me like three hours to just get everything together and
everything was just like hard.
It was like, I felt like I was upside down, but got to keep that algorithm going like
I don't care if you're near death.
I don't care if you're in a hospital for three days, get that order out of like it was done.
Like yeah, it's in that in the parking lot of the post office putting in my things.
And I took, I always take pictures of the package so they know what to expect.
Also documents for me and I document the receipt and send those to them and then you know,
it will note that says, you know, I love five star reviews and all that kind of stuff.
Like there's so much to the order.
I really love Etsy and I love what it does to us because it connects us to people all
over.
But it being a really professional entrepreneur as a single person, you know, we don't have
teams of people working for us.
There's just so much to all this.
I hope that people appreciate it.
We love that their Etsy is really pushing towards gifting.
So I don't want to screw up my Etsy algorithm.
I want it to be good.
So I know I used to not, I honestly used to not really care until I put the, this is us
earrings on there to purposely just have them on Etsy, not just on my home site.
And once I started selling multiples of those, I'm like, well, I guess I'm going to just,
I might as well just really get back into Etsy.
Cause I was on there from when, when really like they started, but I just didn't really
do much with it.
Cause at the time I was, I don't know, I was working on my home site.
Like I felt like that mattered a lot more.
Cause I know like there are people who are like, oh Etsy is over saturated.
Like, yeah, it's all true.
And they definitely also have things that are not handmade, it's supposed to be handmade.
True.
But if you go on there and you know what you're doing, you can make it work for you.
So it just requires effort and time.
I also buy Etsy ads.
So I do do the click, pay per click ads.
That seems to kind of help and Shopify, I'm on Shopify and fair and blah, blah, blah,
blah, blah, like, you know, all that kind of stuff.
And it's like, it does really require money.
So I know that people that are listening, if you're just a shopper, do know that when
you're buying something from us, it's supporting all different parts of our brand.
It's the packaging that we have to pay for and the extra postage that we don't get to
recuperate and the pay for flicks that you found me.
And just, it takes a lot of time.
You make one, one pair of earrings that are like a one of nine and you still have to go
through all of the jargons.
Okay.
Because well, it's also like, when you package it, like also you're doing, if you do, you
know, your regular business card, then I have a couple of different postcards.
Like one is with the special discount and a thank you.
And then the other one is about like, you know, posting and tag and share and whatever.
And then, then it's also if you have special, you know, other types of packing materials,
you have special tissue papers, you have like the corrugated, crinkly paper, do you have
special boxes you put it in, special pouches, like every little thing that comes into it.
Everything.
Is there really, I would, if I would have not been a jewelry maker, I would be a lot
wealthier right now.
Because I definitely spent every penny.
And then today I'm like, oh, but I'm out of that bracelet form and I need to go and then
I'm like, oh, look at all this stuff that I need to buy.
And then it's like, stop, just hold on, wait.
If they do window shopping, like feel like, okay, add it to your cart.
Yeah, hold on.
You've done your shopping, but then walk away.
I'm the same way.
I never pushed that button until at least 24 hours.
Unless I know it's like 100% like that's my purpose, like I'm getting a specific chain
or whatever.
Like, yeah, but otherwise, oh, 100% it's like these special gemstones that I really want
to get.
And then okay, we'll have to wait.
Yeah, just put them in there and they're there and then it'll the next word.
And then for like a special reward.
Yeah.
Well, it has been great getting to know you.
I'm in Austin.
So if you ever need anything from me, I would really hope that you would reach out.
Like I am, I am a friend.
I tell everybody from now on, I am your friend forever.
And if you reach out, you see something on blah, blah, blah.
And you're like, oh, let's talk to sugar about that and see what she has.
Like I, I've been in this business for a really long time and I love being a friend.
And a mentor and helping and anything I can do to help you along the line.
Or if you just have a question, if you want to do a co-lab, like we can do all kinds of
stuff together.
I'm your girl and you never have to explain yourself and just be like, Hey, it's Sarah
who's a rough lady.
It's a very big deal.
Yeah.
So that's what I love about the artist group.
Like everybody just can have like even okay, like I don't remember her name, but her necklace
like Steven X wore the necklace in the new, in her new music video.
I was like, but of course part of me is also like, Oh, I wish you was wearing my cuff that
I sent her, but like that's freaking insane.
That's incredible.
You know, it's like supporting somebody else as much as okay.
You want to be in their shoes to a degree, supporting somebody else no matter what lifts
you up to.
And can you never know, could help you get to that place too.
It's positivity I've learned in a hundred percent.
If you really just go in there and you keep having that negative thought pattern, you're
not going to go anywhere.
I agree.
Really like support and supporting others and it supports you too.
So the positivity goes a long way.
Yeah.
We are on the same page about that.
It's always good to lift other people up.
That makes us all feel good.
Like that's how you feel.
You're still feel better.
It's kind of lifting somebody else up.
So, and today it's been fun.
It's been jewelry as your side hustle with Sarah, Ms. Araje, and we have had a great
little hour and your daughter took a nap.
And I have to say, awesome.
Encourage your children to be artists.
My little three year old granddaughter who's been gifted jewelry since today.
She was born from her grandma.
She has some jewelry.
She can string those.
Yeah.
I think I'm going to be very into it too, or very into when I have a massive tub of
stuff that they will be allowed to get into in another couple of years.
Yeah.
I've kept a lot of stuff for them.
Yeah.
It's fun.
And it's fun that they get to see their mother being a creator because I think, you know,
that's a really good legacy.
They say that like where we come from, who we are now is like five generations back.
So it'd be my grandmother's grandmother was an artist.
And I know that my grandmother was an artist.
Well, she was a dress designer.
She was a, you know, she made clothes, fancy clothes for rich people in Texas.
So there had to have come.
I don't really know what her grandmother's story was, but it definitely, you know, it's
on both sides.
There was a lot of hand sewing and, you know, hand work.
And that's how I learned from my grandmother teaching me how to embroidery.
And that became jewelry, you know, sewing, kind of sewing jewelry beads onto jewelry
and things.
So, you know, it's all, it all, so your, your kids, they're, they're going to pass
that along forward in a big way.
So I really, I hope that you'll really help them and be encouraging them to.
Oh yeah.
We actually had a whole conversation just the other day about, about doing something
with yourself and, and like, so I want them to understand that you can have a skill.
If you want to make it your thing, let's go for it.
We're just, we're going to make sure we do it the right way, the supported way and,
you know, make it, make it work.
But you know, my oldest is eight, so she has time.
Yeah, yeah.
No pressure.
There's really no pressure.
I'm in tears.
It's opening doors and letting them explore.
That's a good thing.
Any last thoughts about what you'd like to share to our podcast listeners today?
Well, I like to say, like in my posts, like on Instagram, like part of them is like, I'm
here for you.
Because of course, like, yes, jewelry is not the first thing you need to have or always
want to have.
But you know, it can always help brighten your day a little bit.
I love to be able to help somebody find the thing that brings them that little bit of
joy.
And I love to be able to be a part of that.
And yeah.
And thank you to the Artisan Group for connecting us today.
Yeah.
That's okay.
We can say, we can say nice things about them.
They're a great, oh yeah, why not?
Yeah.
Great group.
Yeah, so please let's, let's get other people from that group to come join our podcast.
Read the word.
Well, not only that, if you're a creator and you haven't heard of the Artisan Group, go
look them up because they're always welcoming new members.
It's not where it's just closed off thing, we're a big community.
So if you want opportunities, go for it.
And we support each other.
So it's a great thing.
So okay, well, I hope you have a great rest of your day and I'm getting ready for fall.
And, and thank you for sharing your time with me today.
It was a lot of fun.
You're welcome and thank you.
I really have.
Especially my coughing.
Well, you, you didn't die.
Yay for that.
Okay, well thank you again and we will see you another time.
If you ever want to chat, you got something big you want to announce or you're like,
Hey, I got this new movie in my minute.
Give me a jingle and let's chat about it.
Okay.
And have you back to it.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you again, Sarah.
Take care.
You too.
Bye.