Today we’d like to introduce you to Sidney Cherie Hilley.
Hi Sidney, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a maker since I was kid– I learned to sew by hand from my grandmother when I was about 5– I then used to alter and make my own clothes and accessories in high school. I would sew bags out of scarves and sell them out of my locker in school. I also had a passion for writing, so while I was working on getting a bachelor’s in journalism and creative writing, my other art projects kind of became my weekend adventures. I would take jewelry from thrift stores and re-craft it to my liking, among other wearable art projects. I continued making my own accessories for myself and then started making ceramic necklaces, which were actually my first design that I made to sell at local markets. From there, customers would often ask me about earrings, and my fashionista grandmother had a rule that earrings must be worn with any outfit, even at home in pajamas! So, I ran with the flare of that and started making earrings from brass and silver, again at first just for myself, but they intrigued so many people that I began selling them, working on my craft and it organically became Sidney Cherie Studio.
Alright, 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 would say one of the biggest challenges is remembering to post all of my work! Haha. Social media for small businesses has definitely became a big chunk of the pie chart that is running a brand. I am often lost in the joy of creating my pieces, and since I do not create collections, but rather pieces that are often one of a kind or small batch, there is always an endless amount to photograph, edit, and post. I also go to markets and sometimes sell a piece that I never photographed, so I won’t see that design again until I run into the customer wearing them! I think it adds to my organic/wabi sabi ways.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I hand make gold brass, gold fill, and sterling silver jewelry inspired by soundwave patterns, celestial bodies, and patterns in natural curly hair. I use all-natural stones and my favorite is to work with freshwater pearls, which are often uniquely shaped. Since my pieces are handmade, many of mine are one-of-a-kind or small-batch, making each piece unique to the wearer.
I am a big fan of the fact that most of my pieces are one of a kind, I think of my work like creating illustrations that are wearable art.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think any artist or entrepreneur needs a great dose of tenacity. You really have to believe in yourself and your creations, because there could be lows before climbing to whatever your definition of success may be. One of the first times I did a market and had just started trying to sell my jewelry, I didn’t sell a thing. I was really disappointed the day I didn’t sell anything, but I never thought that that one day was a determination of how my business would go.
Pricing:
- Prices range from $18-$120
- I like to make work that is accessible to many, prices reflect the material and time.
Contact Info:
- Email: sidneycheriestudio@gmail.com
- Website: www.sidneycheriestudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidneycheriestudio/
- Other: TikTok: sidneycheriestudio
Image Credits
Skye High Photography
Sidney Cherie Hilley
Ryan Back
