Life & Work with Courtney McClure

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney McClure.

Hi Courtney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up very influenced by my grandmother, aka Meme. She was the most creative person I’ve ever known and could do just about anything–painting, drawing, beadwork, sewing, needlepoint, you name it! She and I would spnd hours together sewing costumes and outfits and making jewelry. I must have been about 8 when she bought me a loom for bead weaving. My mother has also been a creative influence in my life! She was always making things pretty in our house and did lots of sewing. She also made scarves that she sold at craft fairs. So it always came very naturally to me to be creating things. As I got older, I continued to love making jewelry. When I was a teenager, my mom and some of her friends would host jewelry parties at their houses where I would sell my jewelry, mostly bracelets back then, in exchange for hostess gifts. I got married when I was 20 and had my first child at 22. I did a few arts and crafts shows when my children were young, but jewelry making became more of a hobby, as I was busy raising my family. Within the last 6 years or so, I’ve started focusing on jewelry making more and more. Last year I really started doing more art shows and truly love these events. I love the hustle and bustle and getting to meet my customers in person! I also wholesale my creations and am so grateful for my retailers throughout the country! Once both of our kids are off to college, my husband and I hope to travel the country in our camper while participating in art shows. It’s been a long time dream to turn my jewelry making venture into an actual income and so exciting to be working towards the future! I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love for a living!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I guess I would have to say that it’s been a long road! I’ve always been a creator, but just within the last couple of years have actually had the time to invest to make it a business rather than a hobby. I am first and foremost, a mom. It’s my favorite title! My oldest is a rising sophomore at The University of Pennsylvania and my youngest is a rising senior in high school. Now that they are older and more independent, I’ve been able to spend more time not only creating jewelry, but traveling to art shows and festivals to peddle my wares! It’s been a lot of fun and hard work! I’m definitely an artist at heart and learning how to manage a business has been my learning curve.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create unique, handcrafted jewelry with a boho flair! My grandmother (Meme) loved to use the term “wearable art” and it is definitely a goal of mine for everything I make to be a piece of wearable art rather than just jewelry. I never exactly replicate anything I make–each piece is a true one of a kind! Although I’m always trying new ideas, I would say that I have a few signature collections, including my beaded fringe earrings, feather earrings, hammered brass and gemstone earrings, my Boho Bangle bracelets, and jewelry cut from vintage tins. I love to combine interesting textures and unexpected color combinations. I also love using textiles in my jewelry. I have a lot of people tell me that wearing my jewelry just makes them happy, and that is what I’m most proud of! To make something that makes someone else feel happy and beautiful is an amazing feeling!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I love talking to other artists at art shows. I enjoy hearing about what shows they’ve done well at and how they are doing. I always try to find seasoned artists with more experience than me to learn from.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.wanderlustdesignsjewelry.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/wanderlust_designs_jewelry
• Facebook: Facebook.com/wanderlustdesignsjewelry