Kandy Mathis

Tell us your story.

Years ago, before beads came to the Southeast, I was into beading. Folks thought I was crazy: "Why spend money on making your own when you can find something in the corner mall jewelry shop?" ...until they saw my work - different than what was on the hooks at the store. BUT, I had to mail order everything, and with two small boys and owning our own business, funds were a little tight. I spent the next seven years "hobbying it," teaching a couple of beading classes, and asking my husband every year if I could open a bead area in the corner of our store. Honestly, at that time, it wasn't a productive use of the footage.

It happened quite quickly... BEADS, beads, findings, string, doodads, EVERYWHERE. It hit the Southeast like a whirlwind. My husband and I looked at each other and just shook our heads - we missed the wave.

Three years later, we literally lost everything. After 9/11, the economy in our small(ish) Alabama town tanked and we could no longer maintain a retail business. A move to Florida to start over and a bankruptcy later saw us unemployable and strapped. Our faith and our love saw us through.

My husband encouraged me to get back into my jewelry making as a type of escape from the negative. I started playing with macramé' and colored wire and decided to search online. Happening upon a site that advertised learning to "wire sculpture," I clicked around. What I saw was amazing! It was beautiful - like nothing I had ever seen. On top of that, this Preston-guy was saying he was willing to teach me this stuff - yeah, right.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me, I was hooked. I actually prayed about this, People! "God, if this is just another silly hobby thing that won't benefit us at all and will end up hurting us financially, take the interest away from me." Two months later, I met Preston on DVD on my computer showing me how to sculpt wire, NOT bend it. I wasn't interested in the brass - I went straight to the gold-filled wire (a beginning strategy I don't recommend), and sold that first piece to another mom at our boys' soccer practice for $25.00! Wow!!!

At my first Arts and Crafts Show a month later, I sold $400 worth of jewelry (all wire sculpted pendants at $25.00 each - 16 pendants worth of material - not much overhead at all). I also met a sweet elderly lady who still has her name in wire which a young man traded her for a good hot meal at her diner - she even remembered what she cooked for him. It was our own Preston.

Oh, I've certainly been to a couple of events where I've not sold a single piece - BUT I had fun. And, usually, you can barter for other things with other sellers. Good friends made as well.

Now, three years later, I own all of Preston's DVDs except for the name-writing set (next on the list). Having tiny hands and little fingers, I enjoy working with 26 gauge on tiny cabs and charms (dainty and difficult, but what a joy when you hold that tiny finished product). Oh, I've thrown my share of pieces against the wall after trying to make the wire do what I wanted (rarely works - it has a mind of its own - it teases you - just go with the flow), but, in the end, it's so worth it. [grin]

Where do you sell your jewelry? Do you have any tips on selling there?

I do occasional Art and Craft Shows, but, most of my sales come from what I call Transient Contact. I take my work most places. Ease of transport and display is key in this area. I've found some glass-top, black leatherette hinged boxes in sizes to house each individual piece. These boxes have a soft insert that cushions each piece carefully against the glass for a lovely display. I carry all of these small boxes lined out neatly in a portable black jewelry display case about the size of a laptop computer. People are curious things. I'm always asked, "What's in there?" [grin]

Also, I have a piece-in-process that I have in a small box or pouch with my chain-nose pliers and cutters, receipt book and simple business cards with my name (noting Precious-Metal Wire Sculptor), phone number and email. At appointments, during classes or practices, I pull it out and get to work, and my display case is never far away. Make sure to ask permission at some locations - NEVER allow the first hint of a negative on your name by overstepping "no solicitation" boundaries (trust me on this one).

What's your biggest selling piece and why?

I've done very well with a novelty piece done with a bubbly venetian glass fish. I add a bail and big wavy fins and curly things around it. Oh, and I don't forget the three or four bubbles coming from its mouth. My tiny pieces in 26 gauge with tiny wire sculpted flowers seems to be the most-actively purchased. The "Why" is easy - they're handmade, no-two-alike, unique, quality-material tiny pieces made with lots of enjoyment and love.

What one piece of advice can you give to other aspiring jewelry makers?

Don't talk too much. Having the "Gift of Gab," I've been able to talk people right out of buying a piece because of volunteering too much information. Wait...breathe...be available and knowledgable...if they want to know, they'll ask. That's when you "wow" them with your expertise on your product and its components. (You do know everything there is to know about your components - don't you?)

Have you quit your day job yet? Can you give us any idea how much income your jewelry is making?

I'm no longer working part-time due to my husband's wonderful provision, but I'm selling anywhere from $200 to $1000 a month depending on the season. Not grand, but steady - I'll take it. [wink]

What would you say to someone that might be hesitant to invest in Preston's course?

Watch Preston's new online training videos first. Buy the suggested material from the clip - square, dead-soft wire usually must be ordered - don't skimp on this, or you'll discourage yourself from the get-go. Have a GO at your first piece with minimal output financially. Don't make a decision after the first piece - work the art a little. If you seem to have a "bent" towards this, invest, invest, invest in his training.

If financially able, skip the above step and go ahead and invest in the relatively small amount for the Beginner's Course - you get all necessary items this way. FYI - DON'T take from your household budget or bills money. [I'm sure Preston would tell you this himself.] Yard sale (that's what I did), sell some old books to a used book store, ask for a $150 loan from a trusted friend or family member (with absolute intentions of paying it back within a certain number of months), etc.

Has jewelry making changed your life in any way?

Oh, my goodness gracious....how do I put it into words? I have found in myself an outlet for creativity buried deep inside, because I thought it was only for me. Nothing is wrong with doing something for me alone from time to time - we must love ourselves well before we can truly love others properly. Now, I have the added benefit of sharing with others and helping my family. I also have, with heartfelt sincerity, enjoyed being able to give pieces away when they could not be afforded. Who cares whether they were "shining me on" or not. It felt good.

Do you sell any of your work on line or on Ebay? Do you do well there?

That's one place I've not been. I don't have a good digital set-up to be able to properly picture items, and I don't want to wander that way until I can do it with some quality.

What's your plan for the future?

Love and live....and play with wire. [big dimpled grin]