Finding Joy in the Making: Ollie + Gwinnie Handmade Jewelry

Photo credit: Ollie + Gwinnie Instagram

Selah Greer, Editor-in-Chief of The Spark

For many young artists, the prospect of turning their creativity into a career can be daunting. Often, when students voice aspirations to become a potter, painter, photographer, or everything in between, their hopes are vehemently discouraged by those skeptical of an artist's ability to succeed and support themselves. Holly Carrico is one of the many local artists who has overcome these doubts and found a way to bring creative spark to her work through starting a handmade jewelry business. 

Carrico’s passion for creating art began at a young age, and despite challenges to her pursuit of a creative career, has endured the test of time, flourishing through both high school and college.

“I have been creating art my whole life!”  Carrico said. “Creating has been a joy for me since early childhood. Drawing was always my favorite art form, but I dabbled in as many types as I could, from pottery to weaving to woodworking.”

The pressure to be engaged in rigorous and academic classes often results in artistic students forgoing a block dedicated to ceramics or studio arts, but Carrico valued making time for art throughout her academic career. 

“In high school, I took art as an elective every year, and a graphic design class (which was new at the time!) my senior year. I was invited to the Art Institute for college, but had to decline due to a move with my family,” said Carrico. “I received a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in interior design, with a minor in art. I still created art that was not part of my school work in both high school and college.”

Carrico’s dedication to developing her artistic skills would pay off years later when her mother asked her to make a pair of leather earrings she had seen while shopping. Her mothers request was just the beginning of a jewelry business that has grown and thrived over the years.  

“I told [my mom] that I had scrap leather and could make them for her. At the time I worked in a shop in Blowing Rock, and the store owner said I could bring my earrings in to sell in the store,” Carrico said. “When the shop closed for a time in 2020 due to COVID, I decided to focus full time on making my earrings, as it allowed me more flexibility to be home with my son, and I enjoyed getting to work and create at the same time. I was fortunate to have a shop to go into right away, and the time and funding to allow my business to grow organically.”

Though Carrico’s business had a positive outlook from the start, the life of a for-profit artist is not always easy nor glamorous. As demand for her earrings has increased, challenges have emerged along the way. 

“The most challenging aspect is keeping up with demand as one person, creating something by hand alone.” Carrico said. “There is a definite breaking point where I am not physically able to create more product on my own, so there is no more room to expand and grow, without something changing. It's hard to actually charge enough for the time that really goes into it, so it is more of a labor of love. What I enjoy the most, aside from the ability to do what I love most---creating!---is seeing something that brings me joy and brings joy to my customers as well.”

For Carrico, the creative process is what makes the challenges of being a business owner worthwhile. But what exactly does this creative process entail? The answer lies within hours of brainstorming, painstaking design, and elaborate handcrafted detail.

“My process for creating the earrings starts with an idea for a new style. I draw inspiration primarily from nature, but also from my love of fantasy and fairy tales. I mull it over to think of how I could best translate it to an earring, and then start hand drawing designs,” said Carrico. “Once a finalized draft is done, it has to be transferred to a digital art drawing for the laser cutter. I use a laser cutter to cut the earrings, either from wood or leather. Once they are cut, I stain, ink, and paint them, with a clear sealing coat to help protect the color. Next comes the hardware, and a finished pair of earrings!”

Carrico’s work is far from over when she brushes on the last strokes of the clear sealing coat. To turn her creation from a work of art into a product, she has to find a way to advertise and sell her finished earrings. Social media has played a crucial role in her marketing strategy, a part of a growing phenomenon that is helping artists all over the world reach new customers and find creative ways to support themselves.

“I mostly market my earrings on Instagram, to promote my Etsy site, and at in person craft shows. My earrings all have my Instagram handle on the backers, in hopes of getting repeat buyers,” Carrico said. “I actually have a wonderful group of people who enjoy my earrings and share them with their friends and co-workers, and that is the best possible marketing, and I am so grateful to these customers for their support!”

Holly Carrico’s road to finding success and satisfaction as an artist for profit has been long, hard, and greatly inspiring. Despite the challenges she has encountered in her career, the joy of creating and the joy her creations bring to others has kept her going. For young artists struggling to know if the beauty they create can become a beautiful career, Carrico offers hard earned advice from her years of experience. 

“My advice to young people who want to turn their creativity into a business is to always do it for the joy of it. Without the joy, you lose your spark,” Carrico said. “Also be prepared that it will likely not be able to be your only source of income, but it's absolutely worth pursuing if you were born to create! Find what brings you joy, and see how that can become something other people can find purpose for or joy in. Watch for trends with designs, but always let your own personal style drive you first and foremost. Your kindred spirits will find you and your work.”