I'd have to say that perhaps one of the strangest things about how I became an original jewelry artisan is the fact that I never set out to become such a thing. I mean I had liked jewelry most all my life, but never imagined that one day I'd end up making it myself.
My story (as an artisan) began back in the early summer of 2008. I had recently lost my stepfather unexpectedly, and two years after his passing, my mother had sat my sister and I down for a 'talk'. My stepfather had generously left my mother.... 'not broke' you could say, and she surprisingly asked us what we thought about making jewelry and selling it.
We just looked at her like she'd lost her mind. We had not a first clue as to how to make jewelry, nor did we even know at that point if it was something we even cared to learn to do. After throwing the idea around for a few hours, and discussing how we'd go about doing this, we accepted her idea. Our mother had ordered more beads than a bead lover could imagine and all sorts of jewelry making tools, and fixings. It was a bit overwhelming at the start.
We did our best to put our creative minds to work, and came up with some pretty decent pieces, and one too many that we looked back on later, and wondered what in the world were we thinking?! LOL
The first few months into it, around early fall, I was working on some jewelry photos I had taken to post on the internet to try and sell. I had also just got into doing craft fairs and festivals. My first one was to be held in September of 2010.
So in June of that year, just a few months before my first event, as I mentioned earlier, I was working on jewelry photos, and had my TV on for background noise. "America's Got Talent" had just started it's 5th season, and I hadn't intended on watching it, but just so happens I did. I hadn't paid much attention to it that night, as I was more focused on my task at hand in editing photos. However, as the show neared the end of the night, the final act was about to audition. It was a young man, from Waveland, Mississippi by the name of Michael Grimm. As I wasn't actually 'watching' the TV, but listening to it. I couldn't help but overhear this young man as he spoke of his humble upbringing and his love and passion of music. He was into the Bluesy, Soulful Rock. My attention was soon geared at the audition that was about to take place.
He stepped onto the stage with his small framed physique, the lights dimmed, and he took his place. What came out of him when he sang, zapped me to the core of my soul. I would've never expected him to be able to sing the way he did! I was blown away! Now mind you I was a single lady at this time, and something in me just knew I had to meet this fella! And not only meet him, but make him an original necklace of his very own. Ok, OK! I was a bit star struck and mad crushin', but hey! Don't knock me! Like I said, I was a single lady at the time... no harm, no foul.... right?! LOL
I immediately got on Facebook, to see if he had a page. And so he did. Now, he wasn't THAT well known at this time, was just being truly discovered. So I figure my chances were reasonable that I'd at least get a necklace to him if nothing else. In reading the posts/comments on his Facebook wall, I stumbled upon one that seemed to have been left by someone he knew personally. I contacted this lady, and told her who I was and my intentions. I asked her if I were to make him a necklace, would she see that he got it. She was more than happy to help me out! I couldn't believe it! I'd got my foot in the door at least! I made Michael his custom piece and shipped it out to her. A couple weeks passed and I continued watching the show, and had let everyone I knew of, know about my sending the necklace to the guy on "America's Got Talent". I began to get discouraged after not seeing him wearing the necklace as of yet. Then as the show neared the end of the season, and with approximately 2-3 episodes left, Michael had made it to the top 2 acts. He came out on the stage, as I sat glued to the TV, and the spotlight hit him, and THERE IT WAS! The necklace! I jumped outta my seat with excitement!, called my mother and my sister, and the lady that helped my get it to him! I mean HE was the hopeful star, and I'm on cloud nine simply because HE was wearing a necklace that I had made, and on NATIONAL TV!!! I seriously felt as if he and I were getting our '15 minutes of fame" at the same time! I had sent him a note along with the necklace, telling him that it was to be his 'good luck' charm, that I loved his music, and personality, etc, and that I wished him the best in the competition.
The next episode was the final episode in which the winner would be announced. Michael had again stepped onto the stage for his final performance and was again wearing the necklace! This was getting too good for words! Came time to announce the winner and sure enough the good luck charm rang true! Michael Grimm was the 2010 "America's Got Talent" million dollar winner! I'm glad there are many photos of his expression when he found out he won, because not only is it a classic pic, the necklace is in the pic as well!
You would think that my story of this "most exciting moment outside my norm" would end there, but you'd be wrong.
Not long after his win, Michael was on the "ELLEN" show (Ellen DeGeneres), and again was wearing the necklace! (He'd worn this necklace for 3 months) :) Guess he too really thought of it as having been a good luck charm). The "America's Got Talent" show was going on a nationwide tour, and was coming to my town! I won't go into too much detail here, but I ended up at the show, with VIP tickets, and front row center! When Michael took the stage, he was literally 2 -3 feet at most from me, (now mind you he didn't know who I was, yet). But as I look up at him, he's WEARING MY NECKLACE!!! LOL Ya know I'm totally diggin' this by now!
After the show, I got at the end of the meet and greet line to meet him (as well as the other 9 act that were there), as I knew being at the end of the line would keep me from being 'rushed' through. ;) Yeah, I thought that out. LOL
As my time arrived for me to get to finally meet Michael in person, I locked eyes with him as I slowly and shyly approached him, I reached out with one hand to take hold of the pendant on his necklace, and he cautiously stepped back. Then I smiled and told him, "I am the gal that made this for you!" He immediately turned his concern into a welcoming smile, and hugged me and said "Thank you!" We chatted for a brief moment, and I got my autographs, and pics taken, and then he had to go.
I shared my experience on my Facebook page, and on his fan page, and offered to make people a necklace similar to the one I had made him. I was selling the pieces at $150/each. I sold 10 in the first week! I thought, 'man! I'm on to something here!'. The hype kept steady for a little while, but like any '15 minutes of fame', it died down. But let me tell ya, it sure was an awesome experience! And although the excitement of it all had came to a halt, it only inspired me to do more, and to do better. What started out as something I was more or less talked into trying, became something I found I had a true passion for.
Since my beginning, I've created more interesting and original pieces, and have sold quite a bit. I'm not 'living the life' quite yet, but I feel I'm on my way! My dream is to one day have a little beachfront place where I can spend my days (and nights should I choose) creating astonishing originals while living near the sea. Perhaps one day, this dream too will come true.
For now, I will continue crafting my pieces, and selling them at local events and fairs as well as online. I'd appreciate you checking out my Facebook business page at: www.facebook.com/thebarefoottortuga and click the top center tab "The Barefoot Tortuga Shop" to view and purchase my available pieces.
Thanks for stopping by,
Krista H. (The Barefoot Tortuga)
