Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Agoston
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Free Bird Jewelry started about 7 years ago, with a five dollar grab bag of junk jewelry, and random hand me down beads. At first, beading was just a random thing to keep my hands busy and not much more than that. Fast forward to now, where I live and breathe Free Bird…. younger me would never believe it.
So years ago as I kept messing around with all the random goodies I ended up with, I had an opportunity for a jewelry pop up at a local coffee shop. I remember working tirelessly the nights leading up to my first show.
It seemed like the designs and ideas in my head just couldn’t be translated to real life. As frustrating as it was, I found myself incredibly proud to showcase everything that was made by own hands.
To this day I still get that same feeling as years ago. Elated to see everything that I’ve created and all the visions come to life.
Free Bird now has evolved to being my full time job. I work with 4 retail locations around the Cleveland and Akron area, while running the booth at various art fairs and festivals. It’s a one woman show. Never did I see myself as a business owner let alone a jewelry designer. Free Bird’s journey has been a metamorphosis for me personally, and professionally. It’s taught me to keep those promises I’ve made to myself. And knowing I’ve created something that allows me to be self sufficient is just so cool. There’s so many unknowns, but also endless doors and possibilities for where Free Bird may fly!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well it’s like they say, you’ll hear a thousand no’s but for every no, there’s also been a thousand yes’s for me, too.
So I’ve really learned to flow with the yin and yang aspects of business.
One of the biggest challenges recently has been finding the right local retail partnerships to house Free Bird. It’s really a relationship selling your goods with a store because there’s a lot of factors going into it. Location is key, clientele is crucial, and straight up… how much money are you willing to sacrifice to get your stuff out there. I’ve had great opportunities where I just wasn’t willing to sell Free Bird for a 50% cut. My pride is too big to give someone else my ideas for half the cost.
This past year especially was a learning experience for me with the economic climate. In the retail world everything is an ebb and flow motion. Instead of fighting it, I tried to work with the waves. For me that meant getting a little creative on the business side of things. I’ve actually enjoyed that challenge, and find my brain opening up in a more entrepreneurial sense. Even though Free Bird is an art business, it’s 50% art and still 50% business, so being savvy in both is a must.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
You know how people are made up of a billion different facets that make them unique?? That’s the idea I try to emulate in my jewelry. Unique yet trendy, detailed oriented pieces that will catch the eye.
I think when people hear the words ‘beaded jewelry’ a very narrow picture pops into their heads, but Free Bird breaks that mold. New and old, shiny and rough, delicate and bold come together to create a one of a kind look.
I really love texture and color so while creating I love the endless combinations and odd pairings that surprise me.
Lately I’ve started looking at composition differently where I can see projects in more of a 3D light like how an artist might see gradients of color. I don’t know how to explain it but I’ve been able to translate that idea into some of my newer pieces.
I’m really looking forward to this year in being able to experiment with that idea in more complex and detailed designs.
What were you like growing up?
I think in a nutshell, just a very colorful, outgoing, person. I tried so many different activities, hobbies, just everything. Looking back on that now I know just how lucky I was to be able, and to be encouraged from my family in that way. My biggest obsessions were horseback riding and singing. I pursued both for a very long time. I never thought I was very creative because my ideas of creativity or artistry were very different back then. I never could draw very well but I was always good at more visual art type projects. I loved scrapbooking, collaging, putting together bits and pieces of things to create something beautiful. Maybe that’s why Free Bird has blossomed so much because it was a type of art that was always in me since childhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Free-bird-jewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/free.bird.jewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeBirdJewelryStudio
