Today we’d like to introduce you to Evie Bray.
Evie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started out as a customer. I loved beads and the meanings of the stones that I purchased, but I had a difficult time keeping a bead designer that I could purchase so my husband, who is my like my biggest marketer and fan, said “hey, you know what, why don’t you start to make them yourself? You are pretty crafty and you know what you like so… create it!” As the story goes, that was my motivation to start creating and taking natural gemstones and turning them into custom, one of a kind designs that I love and love to create.
Great, 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?
The road was very rough starting out. There are a lot of people in this business and some people that are afraid that you will steal their shine, so finding the resources and things that you need, was a challenge, many people wanted to not share their info and some even charged but I started researching and going to bead shows and wholesalers and got into the books deeper and studying the beads and their principles and it has been a blessing to my business. I have learned the people that aren’t afraid of your seating at the table to eat, are the ones that will help you eat.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make handmade beaded, natural gemstones, precious and semi-precious, Bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. I have customers all across the U.S. now, three years ago, I would have never imagined that. It’s a reality and my proudest moment is when I walked into a business and was asked to buy my bracelets right off my arm, that let me know that I made a statement and that I make something that someone values and want and can say that no one else has it or seen it before. Each piece is handmade and I create it as if I would wear it, I mean I am my own walking billboard.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I grew up on a rough side of town in Atlanta, all I saw, pushed me to be the person I am today. I think one of my most memorable moments as a child was standing on a stool in the kitchen with my Mom and her teaching me to cook, lol. I do that too. She was the person that pushed me to go beyond my limits, push beyond the norm, and never to accept being average.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies by strands.
- Price per bracelet starts at $20.00 and up.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4044849496
- Email: beadedcouturebyevie@gmail.com
- Instagram: Beadcouture_byevie
- Facebook: Bead Couture by Evie
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
