Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Tavetian.
Helen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been creatively inclined and been interested in making things with my hands. When I was 12, I took a one-day jewelry wire-wrapping workshop and was hooked. Since then, I have taught myself almost every technique I know. I started Siranush Designs as a sophomore in college and I sold my jewelry at the boutique shop I worked at and sold pieces to my friends and peers. Now, I sell online through Etsy and at craft fairs and markets around Los Angeles. I have a long way to go in terms of growing my brand but it is exciting to look back at the progress I have made.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the most frustrating challenge I have dealt with is standing out in a market that is full of so many other designers trying to make it in the jewelry business. There are definitely some unsuccessful days that make me wonder if I have what it takes to make it but when I make a custom piece for someone and see the excitement and happiness it gives them, its all worth it. I think it is so important to support small businesses and important for women to support other women. At the end of the day, I love making jewelry and meeting others who also appreciate jewelry. My advice for other women beginning their creative journey would be to invest their energy and passion into what they love; it shows through to the products and designs they create.
Please tell us about Siranush Designs.
I make delicate jewelry. Many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind and involve laborious wire-wrapping. I love working with precious and semi-precious stones and beads. I aim to offer affordable pieces that stand out from the jewelry in our world of fast-fashion.
Who have you been inspired by?
I know this can be a cliché answer but my mother has been very inspiring to me. We are very different in our creative outlets but she is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. She always pushes herself to do her best; a very important lesson she instilled in me when I was young. My sister is also very inspiring to me. She is very passionate about teaching and education and works hard every single day to follow her dreams and positively impact the children she works with.
The name Siranush was also inspired by my sister. My parents had considered that name for her and I knew I wanted to name my brand after someone I loved while tying in my Armenian culture. The name Siranush means lovely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SiranushDesigns
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siranushdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siranushdesigns/
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