We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julie Kelley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Julie, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My parents, plain and simple. My dad always encouraged my brothers and I to lead by example. When he set out to do something, he stuck with it until it was complete. For example, when I was 16, he and I decided to climb Quandary Peak in Colorado. I was all gung-ho to go and was thinking, “cool, I’m getting to spend just me time with my Dad on a great adventure”. At 16 I was also a little sassy and strong willed. We were nearing the summit and I was spent; Quandary Peak stands at 14,261 feet and I was feeling the altitude. I said I didn’t want to go any further, “I’m tired”, expecting him to bend to my wants. I had a momentary lapse of who I was with – he said, “okay, stay here and I’ll pick you up on the way back. I’m going to the top.” I was at first, taken aback, then I gathered myself , stopped pouting and followed him up the trail. We summited together and it was the most spectacular view I’d ever seen. I would have missed it and that incredible feeling of accomplishment.
It was a transformative experience! Learning the value of hard work and its unexpected rewards can be incredibly motiving.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Growing up in Colorado, my grandmother and I used to search for florescent stones and I was fascinated when they showed their true colors under a black light. It felt like discovering a hidden world! I’ve always kept that sense of wonder and am frequently picking up stones that draw me in, each one with its own story.
Most of my adult life centered around working in education and higher education non-profits. It was fulfilling and I enjoyed helping others learn and grow, but there was always a part of me that felt like there was more to explore. After a while, I felt drawn to creativity, leading me to start making jewelry, initially just for family and friends. The encouragement they showed me really pushed me to share my work with a broader audience. I decided to take a leap and put my jewelry out there at local markets. The positive feedback and support fueled my passion and motivated me to explore this new path further.
Partnering with local stores has been an exciting opportunity. It’s a chance to reach more people and showcase my jewelry in a different setting. Each store has its own vibe, and working with them has helped me refine my brand and understand what customers are looking for. It’s been a rewarding process.
Always looking to expand my craft, my next adventure will be focused on learning metal smithing. I’m excited about the possibilities it will open up for my designs. I believe it will allow me to incorporate new techniques and create even more unique pieces.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think resilience, expression and willingness to try new things are the three most impactful qualities for me. Resilience helps me navigate the ups and downs of establishing a business. Creative expression is what keeps me grounded and coming back for more. And always learning and wanting to grow keeps my mind active and inquisitive.
My advice for those starting out is don’t quit. If it’s truly your passion, you will find a way. Believe in your product and your process – the rest falls into place.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
There is no one person but many people, family being at the top of the list. While supportive in my journey they also ground me. I search out and respect their honest opinions. Also, the many artisans and crafts people I meet along the way. What a supportive, generous group of people. Always willing to share their experiences and knowledge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quandarycraftworks.com
- Instagram: @quandarycraftworks
- Facebook: quandarycraftworks
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