Women In Business: Brighton Style Magazine

I have recently been featured as one of Brighton Style Magazines Women In Business, you can read the interview below or head on over to their website to take a look at all the inspiring women who have been featured

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Kate Holden is the woman behind Oh Someday jewellery. She makes personalised jewellery and sells them through her Etsy shop, having taken her business from part-time to full-time in 2013.

Here’s what happened when we caught up with Kate to find out more about her recent leader role with the Brighton Etsy team, and where she finds her inspiration.

Oh and BTW, we just had to buy one of those Be Brave and Be Kind bracelets.

Tell us a bit about you and Oh Someday..

I set up Oh Someday Jewellery in 2012 and I’ve been running it full time since the end of 2013. Before this I had a part time job alongside the jewellery making, it was quite scary to leave behind the security of my other job but it was definitely the right decision and I haven’t looked back!

Have you always lived near Brighton?

Yes, although I’ve actually never lived in the city, throughout my life I’ve never lived more than 30 minutes from Brighton! I’ve recently become a team leader for the Brighton Etsy Team where alongside some other team members we organise talks, meet-ups, events and markets. I think Brighton is such a wonderful and unique place and will find any excuse to spend time there.

How would you describe the type of accessories you sell?

I mainly make personalised pieces out of brass and silver at affordable prices- so everyone can have a truly individual and personal piece of jewellery. Every piece has been made using traditional jewellery making techniques, I saw out each piece myself and they are all hand finished too meaning every piece is slightly different and unique.

When did you start actually creating jewellery?

I started making pieces of jewellery for myself when I was in school but didn’t truly discover a passion for jewellery design until I signed up for evening classes to learn silversmithing about 5 years ago now. Learning about different types of metals and gemstones and how to work with them was so exciting to me and made me realise the design possibilities with jewellery are endless.

How did you find your niche?

I think really just by trying new things and seeing which pieces my customers responded to the best. When I first started out I had no intention of making personalised jewellery but through customer requests over the years it’s now the main part of my business and the thing I enjoy doing the most! I love hearing the different things people would like put on their jewellery and finding out the story behind why they would like those particular words is always really special.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

The jewellery I make is heavily influenced by music, nature and the people around me. I’m a bit of a daydreamer so most of my pieces are thought up when I should be in the middle of doing something else, or late at night when I’m trying to get to sleep!

Most of my favourite pieces have been commissions that customers have asked for. I loved making a pair of rings with the words ‘Noli Timere’ on them which is Latin for do not be afraid and were the last words of the poet Seamus Heaney.

What tips do you have for others wanting to set up a local business in Brighton?

I think my main advice would be to just go for it! You can spend too much time thinking about doing things rather than just giving it a go.

I would recommend joining a website like Etsy where it is relatively inexpensive and simple to set up a shop. There are great communities on there that can help you with every aspect of your business.

Joining the Brighton Etsy Team has been really valuable for me and my business and I’ve met some really lovely people through it too. Going to the meet ups (which you can find out about on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/brightonetsyteam) is also really useful as everyone has tips and advice to share.

Etsy has also given me the opportunity to reach customers all over the world, which I think is really exciting!

Find out more and Kate and her jewellery here:

Website: https://www.ohsomeday.etsy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohsomedayjewellery

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/_oh_someday_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohsomedayjewellery

Interview With Making Magazine

I was recently asked a few questions by the lovely folk at Making Magazine! You can read the interview below and there are lots more from other creative people over on their blog

Jewellery designer Kate Holden lets us in on her metalwork musings...

What first sparked your interest in jewellery making?

I started making pieces of costume jewellery for myself when I was in school but didn’t truly discover a passion for jewellery design until around 5 years ago when I started evening classes to learn silversmithing. Learning about different types of metals and gemstones and how to work with them really interested me and made me realise the design possibilities with jewellery are endless. I really enjoy working with metal and the idea of the permanence of it is something that really inspires me too.  

What so far has been your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement so far has been going full time self-employed at the end of 2013. Being able to work for myself has always been my dream, deciding to take the leap was pretty scary but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I haven’t looked back.

If you weren’t a crafter, what would you be doing instead?

I don’t think I could be doing anything else! I’ve always felt the need to make things and I have to be doing something with my hands. I think creating things, anything, is so important.

Are there any other crafts that you are passionate about?

I’m interested in woodwork and recently went on a woodland woodcarving workshop with Miscellaneous Adventures which was excellent. I’ve started making spoons but I definitely want to get better at working with wood and learning new skills, I’d like to eventually be able to make my own furniture and larger items. I also really enjoy taking photographs and love a good vintage camera.

What three words best describe you?

Independent, curious, optimistic

Tell us about your latest project

I’m currently working on my spring/ summer collection and making a few new designs that can be personalised. I love making personalised pieces and finding out the words that people choose to have on their jewellery is one of my favourite parts of the job. I also recently went on a metal engraving course, which I’m still practising, and hoping to be able to incorporate some hand engraving into my work in the future.

Where do you find your inspiration for new projects?

I tend to find my inspiration in the everyday to be honest. I’ll see an interesting shape when I’m walking around or I’ll be reading a book or listening to music and a particular phrase or idea will stand out to me and I’ll work from that. I’m a bit of a daydreamer so most of my ideas are thought up when I should be in the middle of doing something else, or late at night when I’m trying to get to sleep.

Tea and cake or pie and a pint?

It’s got to be pie and a pint. I’ve got cravings now, might have to have that for dinner tonight!

To see more of Kate's lovely jewellery, head over to her Etsy shop. 

All images from shop and Kate's Instagram, @ohsomeday.