Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Holloway.
Hi Sara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been really into crafting and visual art, in my high school art classes I was exposed many forms from sewing to pencil and paper to lino printing. From that I learned that crafting can be done by anyone. There are two main reasons I started Tiel Treasures Shop, the first is that my ADHD and Autism have made it difficult to work in a standard 9-5 type of job, the second reason is that I wanted to make things that could bring a smile to people’s faces. I think it’s important too for people to have a chance to afford something that makes them happy so I also try to keep my pricing fair and to have a range of products to make things accessible anyone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road but that didn’t surprise me. There’s a bit of a learning curve for running your own business. Everything from choosing your business structure and filing to paper work to filing your sales tax. I think the hardest part though was actually breaking into the market, finding those events to sell my creations at.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
While trying to develop a name for my business I wanted something that would emphasize my other passion, birds. More specifically my favorite breed cockatiels. The name is also generic enough so I haven’t been trapped in a niche that may or may not fall out of fashion.
Currently I work mostly with UV resin, polymer clay, beads, and vinyl but I’m always expanding my variety of materials amd techniques to keep things interesting and unique. I make earrings, necklaces, braceles, keychains, hats, and tote bags. Something that sets me apart is that I have been expanding my jewelry to include anime and gaming influences. I can also do custom work like embedding photographs of pets and loved ones in resin.
I am proud of the way I have been able to shift to hypoallergenic materials so that my products are more accessible.
Fun fact: One of my best selling earring sets are my fried egg earrings.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice would be that you have to be persistent, especially for breaking into the in person markets. You have to push yourself to engage with not just your customers but other vendors also because networking is important.
Pricing:
- Necklaces 8 to 25
- Bracelets 6 to 15
- Earrings 4 to 25
- Keychains 5 to 10
- Hats and totes bags 12 to 15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tieltreasuresshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tieltreasuresshop
- Other: https://tieltreasuresshop.etsy.com
