"The things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling." ― Fabienne Fredrickson
Hi! I'm Kelley!
Most days, you can find me working at our Minneapolis home with our dog Murphy. I'm a self-employed artist with two businesses. My work brings me so much joy. But it wasn't always that way.
I spent 20 years of my life working corporate retail. It was the best possible kind of corporate retail. I managed a Barnes & Noble bookstore. I love books and book people. But I’m a true introvert, and retail is not a great match for introverts.
I started making jewelry as a creative outlet in 2005. In 2013 I summoned up all my courage to open my first Etsy shop, Gems by Kelley. Two years later, I made the biggest leap of my life - I quit my job at Barnes & Noble to be a full-time artist.
By 2017, I had made over 5,000 pieces of jewelry. I was ready for a second creative outlet. I began dabbling in lettering and art. I discovered the Apple Pencil and the digital illustration app Procreate. I love creating art on my iPad.
In 2020 I became a Skillshare Teacher. Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people. I'm a lifelong learner, and I've been taking classes on Skillshare for years. It's one of my favorite things to do. If you'd like a two free two-month premium membership to explore Skillshare, here's a link: https://skl.sh/2V5TATR
But back to Gems by Kelley: Even after almost 14,000 Etsy sales, each order makes me happy. My iPhone makes a Cha-Ching sound when I get an order, and I respond to each one by saying ”WOO HOO!” I've "WOO HOO'd" at lots of places: at book club, driving my car, at the vet, at a restaurant, at the mall, walking the dogs, out with my friends . . . But usually I'm at home. If my husband Chris is around, he'll woo hoo, too!
We call my home studio "The Gem Den". I create, photograph, pack and ship my jewelry in The Gem Den. My husband Chris sometimes helps with shipping to get orders sent to you quickly. After living with me, he knows more about jewelry than he ever wanted to know.
I’m beaming out a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports me as a self-employed artist. If you’ve purchased my work or cheered me along, thank you. I’m doing what I love, and my life is infinitely more joyful because of it. Thank you.
Questions? Reach out!
All my best,
Kelley
Connect with Gems by Kelley:
kelley [!at] kelleybrenburke.com
www.kelleybrenburke.com
www.facebook.com/gemsbykelley
www.instagram.com/gemsbykelley
