Today we’d like to introduce you to Anika Dauber
Hi Anika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved all things shiny and whimsical. When I was a girl, I would accessorize with costume jewelry and fairy wings for tea parties in my backyard. Now, I would obviously consider such a thing childish… who would wear costume jewelry to something as sophisticated as a fairy tea party?! Though my imaginative spirit remains, my style has certainly evolved.
In early 2022, I was looking to update my jewelry collection, but I couldn’t find anything that quite fit my style. Witchy but soft, bold yet simple; elegance with an edge. So, I decided to make it myself! I dubbed my style “faerie-grunge”. My first design was the crescent crystal layered necklace- I shared it in a Facebook group, and to my surprise, it got a lot of positive engagement. This prompted me to design a few other layered designs (plus matching earrings) and set up my Etsy shop. After much consideration, I landed on the name “Faerie’s Fix”, capturing my mission to supply every-fae with their fix!
Two years later, I’m vending at markets regularly, and have since crafted many new designs. Most recently, I’ve come out with a 100% original line of up-cycled button jewelry. I collect secondhand buttons and give them new life as chokers, bracelets, earrings, rings, magnets, etc. (due in part to my love for the book / film Coraline.) I recently completed my first custom sentimental button jewelry order- I got to work with a woman’s grandmother’s button collection, and turn them into beautiful bracelets for her and her cousins. I can’t wait for more opportunities like that!
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?
Right after my first Facebook post, a consignment shop chose my jewelry to be featured in their new store front, and had me make 200-300 pieces. I was elated, and, not knowing anything about consignment, thought getting my product in a store would mean immediate and consistent sales. Unfortunately they closed pretty soon after, and sent all my product back half unpackaged and tangled together. I felt defeated, and upset that I was naive enough to believe all that jewelry was necessary. I’ve been slowly selling that inventory over the past few years, and I’m down to about 20 of those original pieces. When the last of them sells, I’ll be completely redesigning them using all the knowledge I’ve since learned! While it wasn’t the start I’d hoped for my business, it taught me how to communicate professionally, say no, and to be realistic. From turning down not-ideal opportunities to dealing with “I could find it cheaper elsewhere” comments, this journey has taught me a lot about confidently standing in my truth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My specialty is wire wrapping (although I’m hoping soon I’ll be known for my button work)! Specifically wrapping crystal pendants / creating wire charms. I love learning new methods, so when I’m not following online jewelry-making tutorials, I’m coming up with techniques of my own! I consider my current skill level pretty intermediate, but I think what fuels my success is my vision. I’m very good at choosing stones and charms that are cohesive to the theme, and implementing them so that they’re complimentary to each other. I have an eye for spotting individual elements of a greater design. It’s why my clothes, furniture, and even booth setup are almost entirely thrifted! Many of my secondhand finds were traded for jewelry via Facebook Marketplace. Jewelry is by no means my only passion, just the one I’m pursuing currently! Another one of my passions is music (songwriting and production to be specific).
What matters most to you? Why?
My boyfriend, Gavino, my cat, Onyx, and the rest of my family are my world! My boyfriend has been my best friend since we met in high school, and even though he’s not much of a jewelry connoisseur himself, his opinion is always the first I seek after coming up with a new design. As cliché as it may be, I just want to make peoples’ days a little brighter! I’ll never change the world, but I’d like to at least help restore people’s faith in goodness, and inspire others to look for whimsy in the mundane.
Pricing:
- Custom sentimental button jewelry orders have a $50 minimum purchase requirement
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaeriesFix
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faeriesfix/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faeriesfix
