Stephanie Flore

Tell us your story.

I totaled my car on my wedding day, and lost my license for 2 years because I was driving without insurance. After the honeymoon, I learned that without a car, it's really hard to get a job in this part of So Cal, so I tried to work from home. I started out crocheting, then crocheting with beads, and a friend suggested I make hip-wraps for belly dancers. They sold really well, but only one or two at a time, and they took two weeks to make! So I tried crocheting with wire, to make jewelry, and the items turned out really well. Once I was ready to move into better quality wire, I searched for sterling wire on Google, and found wire-worker.com. I was hooked. I already knew how to make spirals, but the jewelry on this site is beautiful - I wanted to learn more! I've been making wire-wrapped jewelry for two years now. I've had a few successful events, was commissioned to create the bridesmaids gifts for my brothers wedding, and have been commissioned to do a second wedding.

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

I sell my jewelry at bowling tournaments. I set up a small display of created works, and start working on whatever I want to make, and people come up and ask me about what I'm doing. I tell them, of course, and look at the type of jewelry they're wearing.. and then I show them something similar, (but not the same, of course!) Occasionally, I'll offer to polish something for someone while they browse.

What's your biggest selling piece and why?

Earrings sell best for me. I make them in different colors and styles, and I guess you just can't have enough earrings! Barrett's are the second best seller - they go as fast as I can make them.

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

Keep track of what you spend, and where you make your money. File your taxes! Don't forget that you run a business, with all the responsibility that goes with it - and don't forget to love what you do!

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

I haven't quit my day job yet, but my jewelry is making enough that we are moving to a larger home so I can have more space to work in.

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

Start small... the tips and tools you get are worth the price by them selves, and the stones and wire that come with are a bonus.

Has jewelry making changed your life in any way?

I drive an SUV now, the better to carry my booth and jewelry with me to shows, I spend all my "spare" time on jewelry - either reading about it, buying components, creating it, or selling it. I'm more fulfilled, doing something that I love to do.

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

I have a web-site that does some good business, but I find that it acts more as a gallery of what I can do - people have found my website and then asked me to create a custom piece for them. I'm always happy to oblige.

What's your plan for the future?

Do more vendor events, and update my website more frequently.