Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Cahill.
Emily, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started August 2013. I was living with my boyfriend at the time and his kids. I’ve always wanted to do something crafty to earn some side cash and at the time, hair bows were really popular and I wanted to try it out. I didn’t even know how to go about doing it so I didn’t even bother with the hair bows. Instead, I started dabbling in jewelry making and teaching myself how to make jewelry. I ended up really loving it and got to be really good at it. I continued to design and make jewelry and eventually started branching out from stretchy string bracelets to using metals and chains and making necklaces and earrings. Fast forward to July 2017 where I’m talking with a director about designing and making jewelry for his short film.
Next thing I know, I’m staying up all night to make a 1920s vintage style statement necklace to be featured in the film. I shipped that and a pair of vintage earrings I made off to England the next day. It was that film that launched my career into jewelry design for film. Sadly, that’s the only film I’ve designed and made jewelry for so far but I’m hopeful for what the future holds with it. Fast forward to today where I now have a couple of conventions under my belt, I’ve reopened my Etsy shop (EnchantedbyEmily), and I’m now working for Kande Hall of French Kande as a jewelry assembler.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. It was pretty difficult to get where I am today. One of the main challenges that I’ve faced and still currently face is people saying my jewelry is too expensive and that I should lower my prices when my pieces aren’t expensive to begin with. This is one thing that has bugged me and posed as a challenge since the beginning. It bugs me to see people more than willingly to pay $200 for something a celebrity puts out that is made of cheap quality materials and then turn around and say that a simple handmade lava bead bracelet with other semi-precious and genuine stones for only $20 is too expensive. It’s a challenge when people have that mindset and I’m still working on overcoming it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Enchanting Jewelry by Emily story. Tell us more about the business.
Disney has been a huge inspiration for my jewelry since I’m a huge Disney fan. I specialize in fairytale-inspired jewelry. On top on of my company name, Enchanting Jewelry by Emily, my company motto is “handmade jewelry with a touch of magic.” What sets me apart from other fairytale jewelry designers is my designs. I refuse to use the actual character in my work. I refuse to use their face, silhouette, or even a Mickey head. Instead, I’ll use colors and charms that represent the character so it’ll transform into something completely different but people will still be able to tell what character it is. I also sometimes do vintage or modern style fairytale jewelry.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years, I see my business thriving and something I can do full time.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilycahilljewelry
- Other: Etsy shop: EnchantedbyEmily
Image Credit:
Tim Hans, Chas
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