Inside Look at My Jewelry Studio: On Camera Interview

As an artist and business owner, I've always struggled creatively with how to tell my story. Thats why, recently when I was approached by IFV News, to tell my story on camera, I was thrilled!

You see, as a jewelry designer and glass bead artist (yes, thats technically how I describe what I do) I've done a few written Q+A interviews here and there, but without being able to give my audience a visual of the lampworking process, I've always felt like what I really do in my creative process, often gets lost in the translation.

When I describe what I do, calling myself a glass bead artist, or telling people I create lampwork glass beads and jewelry, I literally feel peoples eyes glazing over, as most people have no idea what I'm talking about. In fact, they often ask, "so where do you buy the beads?" and "you make all of the jewelry yourself?" And of course the answer to both of those questions is "yes, and YES!"

Then there's the business aspects of selling, shipping and marketing...I talk about it all in the video, along with my dreams, hopes for the future of my business and even how I got started at the age of 8!

Want to see the process? Its really cool, I promise. Check out the video below:

http://www.ifvnews.com/video/ifv-news-aziza-browne-a-brooklyn-ny-jewelry-designer-achieving-solopreneur-success

Hopefully the video has given you a more in depth look at what I do and how I create my jewelry.

Soooooo, what did you think about the video? I'd LOVE to hear your feedback, questions and comments!

Also, please feel free to share the video if you like.

Successful Jewelry Business??

Lately I've been thinking about business and success. Especially my personal jewelry business success. After all, no-one starts a business with the goal of being mediocre in mind. At least, I didn't.

So, how do you know you are successful in your industry? Can you measure it by the amount of money you've made? By your influence? By the amount of happy customer emails you get?

That's a question you can't exactly define the answer to and have it be a good fit for everyone. For me, I felt a glimpse of success the first time I sold my jewelry at a craft fair and someone walked up to my booth and recognized my work and asked me if I was "Aziza".

How cool is that? I had never met this customer before, in person or online, but she recognized my jewelry from a brick and mortar store it was sold at right here in Brooklyn. And then she bought more of it on the spot at the craft fair! Gosh, that felt good! Really good!

Selling my jewelry at a Craft Show in Brooklyn a few years ago

I don't have a clear definition of success and what that looks like for me yet, but I sure felt successful at that moment. In fact, I felt a little famous :).  I'm not sure I would define my business as a Success with a capital "S" just yet, but I have had a lot of successes along the way and Success is definitely what I'm aiming for!

I'm curious, what do you consider the markings of a successful business or venture? What are some of your own big successes?

Working in My Studio

Hi all! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving weekend was full of family, friends, food and being Thankful. Mine sure was. I'm still eating leftovers, believe it or not! My weekend was also full of a birthday party, making jewelry for orders as well as designing some new fun things....soon to be listed in my shop.

While working this weekend, I remembered that I was photographed in my studio just a few months ago, by a friend of mine and while they're on my Facebook Fan Page, I completely forgot to share them here! These are a few shots of me working in my studio, taken by my dear friend and photographer Carrie Crow.

Check out how large the flame from the torch can get! You can really see just how scary making beads and working with glass can sometimes be. Thank god for protective eyewear!

Have a lovely week! Til next time!
xo
Aziza