Business Name and What It Does
Elvy’s creations, where macramé jewelry is more than just an accessory. My name is Elena, and I am the founder and creator of elvy’s creations. I design and create jewelry and accessories using the technique of macramé. I have a small business in Athens and sell products online or at dance and art festivals worldwide.
The designs are made once since the gemstones are natural and cannot be exact copies.
It took some time to research and test different materials because I wanted to find the right and sustainable ones to make them durable and unique.
Waterproof cords, natural gemstone crystals, stainless steel, and hypoallergenic sterling silver are materials. My philosophy is to create beautiful and vibrant items which would accompany my clients in their favorite moments, making actual jewelry and not just a seasonal accessory. I make things with a lot of love, smiles, and attention to detail.
You can also find my blog, ‘ Gemstone of the month.’ Read about the gemstones used for creations, their features, and details. It is also a great helper if you are looking for a birthday gift since there is a list of gemstones and compatible zodiac signs.
Founder’s Story and Motivation
I got my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2005 and started working in my family business, selling and repairing luxury watches. I worked in the industry for ten years when I decided to create something. in 2016, I struggled with a health issue that kept me in bed for months. Not being able to move, I started looking for outlets. I started reading and writing about crystals and their healing abilities during recovery.
Macrame art earned my heart, so I started knitting. I combined knitting with the beauty of the gemstones, created art, and shared it with the world. I am located in Greece and being close to nature, and beautiful landscape, the country’s history has been the source of my main inspiration. I joined online courses and workshops to improve my skills. I saw my work and confidence growing. Family and friends gave compliments about my work.
I took my work out of home and joined markets in festivals and bazaars to introduce the brand to the world. I grew my clientele and joined an artistic community. Targets and goals became clearer. I created an online shop while I continue to join festivals and flea markets because I like direct sale and meeting new people.
I am a Greek folklore dancer and musician, which gave me access to details and information about the clothes and jewelry of the time. I have created a special collection of jewelry using only the authentic design of brass coins and the gemstones they used to wear on their costumes and jewelry.
Challenges of the Business
The global market is facing a lot of challenges. The past 3 years have been challenging for all industries, most importantly the fashion industry. The pandemic has affected everyone and forced businesses to focus only on the local areas. Other factors were affecting the economy, the delivery times, and, of course, the psychology of the consumers. Global events, fashion shows, bazaars, and art shows were all canceled, forcing us to only shop at our screens. Therefore consumers could only shop online. Online platforms became very friendly for the users, but the distinction between small businesses and hobbyists was lost. The competition grew fast, making it hard to compete with low prices, high shipping fees, and long deliveries. The rates keep rising, making it much more difficult to keep up with the increases in prices everywhere. Clients see the final price without knowing the process behind it. Choose the right branding, packaging, labeling, and running costs, and evaluate the product at the right price.
A small business means one person designs and creates the product, shoots pictures and videos, and edits them. A person creates a virtual shop or a website and maintains and operates the communication channels. A person also makes sales, keeps up with orders, and follows up with customers. A small business owner had to outsource or become familiar with the above.
Challenges My Business Faced
Starting a small business and no capital was not the biggest barrier, but confidence was. I kept comparing my designs to more advanced and experienced artists. I felt what I was creating wasn’t good enough to be sold. The feedback I was receiving from my friends and family was complimented. The biggest issue was to give actual value and a fair price to my creations. Turning art into a product.
The overwhelming feeling of the World Wide Web was a challenge. Find the right tools, keywords, and tags, have the correct SEO to create traffic for the shop and the profiles and keep up with all the platform updates. Most importantly, to create a trustworthy profile and shop where consumers would pay for a handmade product and a good they have never seen.
The Opportunities the Business Had
Weaknesses can be turned into strengths. What felt overwhelming for me in the past could be an opportunity for someone else. Consumers became more familiar with online shopping and online platforms specializing in handmade goods.
Platforms became user-friendly not only for consumers but for businesses. There are many platforms and tools to choose from, with various costs depending on each business’s taste and product. Information is available online through webinars, freelancers, and consultants to guide you to reach targets. Photo shooting and set up tips, photo, and video editing applications, and guidelines are also available. Online communities for each platform and product will help and support sharing their experiences and tips, where you can adjust this information to each business’s needs.
Advice to Others About Business
Before you start your own business, ensure you have time end energy. It is a full-time job and needs a full-time employee. Start looking for the right search words and accurately describe your goods or services.
Research intensively; find out the market needs. Look into the competition, and ensure you find steady suppliers for your materials.
Ask for help from support pages. You can find answers for almost everything online. You can turn to the right person to do the job when you don’t.
Find out who your clients are. People often think clients are different from who they end up being.
Follow up with your customers and remind them of your business. Keep in touch with them by sending emails, giveaways, and flash and seasonal sales. People receive information. It is good to remind them on a steady basis of your business.
When we talk about handmade products, people are not just buying a product, but they also buy the artist behind the item. Be on social media, and spread the word about your business. Talk about yourself, what inspired you, your process, and your journey to have the product ready for the consumer. Share your personality and allow the buyer to buy a product from you, not just a product. Trust yourself and be confident that people are interested in listening to your story.
I am grateful to be featured in this magazine, and I hope this article can inspire or motivate people. You will never succeed if you don’t take risks.
You can reach me at www.elvysreations .com
Or my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/elvyscreations/
Or read the blog: https://www.elvyscreations.com/blogs/news
