For Holliston woman, making jewelry is a passion - The Boston Globe
In 2004, Janine Gerade began selling jewelry in the flower shop she owned as a way to pay for the beads and baubles she kept accumulating. A full-time jewelry designer since 2008, she handcrafts one-of-a-kind pieces from resin, polymer clay, semiprecious gemstones, sterling silver, and Swarovski crystals in her Holliston studio, which is open by appointment. Her pieces are also sold at local boutiques, fairs, and farmers markets listed under events at www.janinedesign.com.
Suzanne Kreiter / Boston Globe staff
Janine Gerade creates her jewelry from resin, polymer clay, gemstones, and silver.
Q. What inspires you?
A. The designs for my necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings typically come from patterns in clothing, nature, art, and photography. Sometimes when I feel blocked, I browse around a bead store and talk to the owner, which always helps with ideas. My aim is for all my jewelry to be distinctive, yet versatile and comfortable.
Q. How do you determine pricing?
A. Pricing is one of the biggest issues for jewelry designers. I use a formula that incorporates how much you pay yourself per hour depending on your expertise, overhead, and product mark-up. Then I try to picture someone paying that much for it. A lot of designers underprice their jewelry, yet they’ve invested in classes and spent years doing it. I’ve had some of the same bad habits — especially in the beginning, when I made things for friends as a hobby — but I’m getting better at knowing my worth.
Q. How do you find customers?
A. Sometimes I sell a necklace or bracelet right off my body! I’ve had a website and e-newsletter for about a year, but I do best selling my pieces in person at fairs and open studios, like the one coming up in Holliston [Oct. 22-23]. I don’t know if it’s because I can explain the pieces, or people can touch them and try them on, or if they’re just in the mood to buy. Online is tough, although I do well with Etsy, Instagram, and Pinterest. It’s a huge market, and you have to rely on good photographs and descriptions.
Q. Do you keep many of your pieces?
A. I’m wearing one of my pink rings right now, and I also have all the jewelry I made for my grandmother over the years. I love making new things and trying new techniques. At this point, it’s an addiction. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Janine’s Jewelry Design is located at 24 Water St., Studio 4-18, in Holliston. For an appointment, call 508-740-4460 or e-mail info@janinedesign.com.
Cindy Cantrell can be reached at cindycantrell20@hotmail.com.
