Jewelry Artist Anne Shares the Story Behind A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

Anne has collected glass beads and unusual ornaments of all kinds from around the world for over thirty years and uses antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. I started making jewelry while recovering a career ending back injury as a chef to take my mind off the pain, while I tried to heal. My father named me so that my initials would spell art. My Grandfather gave me my Native American name Bear. Hence A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry, with beadbear.com as my domain

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Probably. I was successful as a child creating and selling my art on the street, although my mother strongly disapproved and abruptly cut off all of my art and art appreciation lessons when I received a scholarship from the same art school that had offered my Dad an art scholarship at the same age of 10. I have never liked being told what/how to do anything, and have been seen as an iconoclast, even while being a conscientious employee wherever I did have employment.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

I promoted my openings at various art and gift shops. I successfully promoted and held shows for myself and other artists. When computers became available and I learned about the internet I knew immediately that I needed a website to sell my jewelry. I told my husband "the orgy is starting. We need to get our mattress on the floor now". That's when my husband became my techo-mage and IT department in 1998.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

While I am no longer affiliated in any way with the artist co-op, that it's still in business after 22 years is a testament to all of the good work I put it to get it off the ground and enjoy nearly a million dollars in sales the first year it was open. I also published article on how to properly string and knot between beads for Lapidary Journal in 2000 for which I actually got paid.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish y'all were around in late 1980s and early 90s when I was taking home study courses from GIA. I would not have been so angry and crushed when my online tutor informed me that I was wasting my time because no jewelry store would hire a black person to work behind the counter, and kicked my out of the gemologist degree program when she learned that she wasn't teaching a Caucasian. And no I didn't get hired at a fine jewelry store until 6 months before the artist co-op opened. 

What did you go before starting your own business?

I have endured a variety of jobs, from gutting and cleaning fish on a fishing boat to all forms of retail,from selling a helicopter, cars, encyclopedias to haute couture, furs, fine jewelry and general merchandise. I However, I have always been creative and independent. Relying upon my own skills and ability, I had my own catering business. Worked managing a variety of professional kitchens, day chef, line cook, short order cook and pot cooking. Received a two star Michelin and a two star Cordon Bleu for both my Italian cuisine and Creole cuisine without any formal training. I was working as a garde mange chef when I suffered a career-ending back injury. Started making jewelry to take my mind of the unrelenting pain, which had been my hobby for 20 years. When my husband asked my what I was going to do with all of the jewelry I had made, I decided that I would sell my work to maintain my independence and earn a living and to never answer to another SOB!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

When I lost the workman's comp case against the restaurant where I fell and permanently injured my back and shoulder. The restaurant owner and the judge that refused to hear my case were best friends since high school and played golf together every week. Embittered, I swore NEVER to be beholden to ANYONE or any other business.

Do you have any recent wins?

I am still a multiple myeloma survivor.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Square. It's how I make credit card sales.

Who are your customers?

I prefer to design and create jewelry for women to counter the vile misogynistic messages women receive on a daily basis

What's your top productivity tip?

Read everything I can related to my field. Finish what I start.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

Work when it's time. Ignore my husband when he tells me I have enough inventory or when he complains that I'm not using my collection of antique trade beads. Sit down at my work table and play with some gems pearls or glass beads. Sometimes I crochet....afghans

How do you avoid burn-out?

Love on our seven cats and my husband. Grow herbs and other plants in the back yard.Cooking for us and for my friends. Swing on the swing where the Intercontinental Canal and the Mississippi River meet.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Be proud of what makes you sharp. Celebrate your edge

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