Today we’d like to introduce you to Karan Zielke.
Hi Karan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been a creative spirit, but I had channeled those energies into hobbies for years—focusing on my nursing career and starting a family. Around the time my kids started school, it became clear that my home/work balance needed flexibility. And I needed an outlet. Honestly, it was the most natural thing—to create as a vocation. But accept myself as an artist? That took some time. I am definitely there now though.
In the early days, I sold at art festivals and gave lots of handmade gifts. I remember when I got work into the first local gallery being so incredibly thrilled. I thought I had arrived! And lots of hard work later, I am happy to be in Atlanta shops where I feel handmade is truly valued. The next big thing? I will be opening my own brick and mortar next year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think I do struggle with getting out of my own way sometimes. My biggest successes have always come from creating with authenticity, instead of trying to make pieces that I think people will like.
You know, shops open and shops close—not everything’s a perfect fit. But I think tenacity is key. I mean, bad weather at a market can tank sales or destroy product. Or events can even get canceled—like Bonnaroo where I was a vendor. It would be easy to get down after a disappointment like that. But you have to just shake it off, take a deep breath and think about what’s next. Take the attitude that your best days are still ahead.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a jewelry artist/metalsmith and make original pieces from natural gemstones and high quality metals. I also have a line of music inspired jewelry that I craft from upcycled guitar strings and guitar picks. I hit up several large music fests per year to showcase those. But, honestly I like to think that all of my jewelry has a little bit of rockstar edge.
I am most proud of my #ROCKonGIVEback initiative though! I donate a portion of sales quarterly to amazing organizations right here in Atlanta. Last year, my customers provided funds for The Ozzie Albies Foundation, The Atlanta Music Project, The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer and CURE Childhood Cancer. In addition—we also raised funds for Samaritan’s Purse (hurricane relief) through trunk shows.
What’s next?
So currently, I have work in 3 local shops—Garage Door Studio (Avondale Estates), Open Door Atlanta (Decatur), and Made Mercantile (Woodstock) in addition to my website SONGbIRDshop.com. My studio spaces are at Made and at home.
The newest venture though is that my husband and I just purchased a historic building on the town square in Ashland, Alabama to be a future SONGbIRD shop/studio!
Ashland is a charming rural town near where we have some off grid land and have been renovating a vintage Airstream camper for a few years. John (my husband) has installed solar and rainwater collection systems, and a rushing creek runs through the land, which our dog loves.
My plan is to split time between Ashland and Atlanta when my youngest leaves for college in a year and a half—so we have plenty of time to get the space ready. And I have big plans! But once it’s open, I picture waking up to the sounds of small waterfalls, pouring a coffee, going for a walk in the woods, then grabbing a shower and heading into my studio to make. And hopefully sell,
But I definitely plan to keep my presence in Atlanta! I love the shops and owners so much, and my customers have been too good to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.songbirdshop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/songbird_jewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/songbirdartisanjewelry
