FANTASTIC FEMALE – CLAIRE SMITH FOUNDER OF CLOUDY LEMONADE JEWELLERY
Founded by Claire Smith late last year, Cloudy Lemonade Jewellery is a brand all about spreading happiness, positivity and empowerment. Claire tells us about the journey that got her to where she is now.
You can check out her work at www.cloudylemonadejewellery.co.uk
Last year my family and I realised our dreams. With a 3 year old and 2 month old in tow, we packed up our entire lives and moved from Milton Keynes to Scotland. A place we’d fallen in love with 15 years ago, and vowed we’d move to eventually. It was quite the change and a challenge as anyone who has ever moved with a newborn will know!
A year later, I sit in my home studio packing orders. A studio I would not have if we hadn’t of taken the plunge. The space we now have has allowed me to work from home and create a business I love. I make recycled silver jewellery and I’m inspired by spreading happiness, positivity and empowerment. My motto is pretty simple, if a design won’t make you smile, it’s doesn’t get made. I believe in the importance of happiness but recognise that everyday we are all hit by stumbling blocks that challenge it, that’s one of the reasons I donate £1 from every sale to the mental health charity MQ.
FANTASTIC FEMALE – CLAIRE SMITH FOUNDER OF CLOUDY LEMONADE JEWELLERY
Since I launched Cloudy Lemonade Jewellery the messages I receive from people about my pieces often stop me in my tracks. My designs are being used to celebrate divorce, fertility journeys, remember loved ones, celebrate special moments and don’t even get me started on the commissions because they often make me cry! I feel so grateful that my pieces bring happiness to people who are sometimes at their hardest times and some pieces just offer a cheeky smile, because I believe that is hugely important too.
Covid 19 has knocked many small business’s sideways, but as a small home start up I am thankful I have managed to take some positives. As soon as my husband was furloughed, I handed him the kids and took my chance to get some solid studio time. I’ve launched a new website, created new designs and continue to try and spread a little bit of joy online. It’s been a tough few months but I’m seeing the rewards of my efforts and I’ve never bee busier.
FANTASTIC FEMALE – CLAIRE SMITH FOUNDER OF CLOUDY LEMONADE JEWELLERY
Relocating your family to another country doesn’t come without it’s challenges. We’ve faced many family arguments, many sleepless nights and some days it just felt like everything was stacked against us. But, as I sit in my studio, I could not be more grateful. The kids are knee deep in nature, the community is amazing and we are living our actual dreams.
FANTASTIC FEMALE – CLAIRE SMITH FOUNDER OF CLOUDY LEMONADE JEWELLERY
How did you balance being a mother and professional? I’m not sure I do balance it! I often feel spread thin which I’m sure many people can relate to.
What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career? Professionally, I gave up a career. I worked as a Copywriter for the UK’s largest commercial radio group and it was great. However, once I had my first child I knew I’d struggle to make part time work for us and long term, craft was calling me.
Personally, Netflix and possibly (actually definitely) a tidy house! I still have to work around my children some days and that means a lot of stuff gets done in the evenings and my house is a 24/7 bomb site.
Who inspired you and why?This list is endless, but i’ll start with the main one. My mum is hugely creative and growing up I was often found doing something crafty. I’d make wool dolls, pom poms, bags, posters, and I’m pretty sure she thought she’d won the lottery when she realised she could sit me down with a pack of felt tip pens and a packet of doilies. Hours I spent colouring those, hours. I’m positive that if she hadn’t shown me so many different crafts as a child I would’t have such a drive to be creative now.When it comes to business there’s so many I really struggle to name them. I have huge admiration for anyone that shares their real, warts and all stories. I actually find it reassuring to know that things won’t always go to plan and that’s not always a bad thing.
What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?Just keep going. Whether that’s starting your own business or trying to progress in another, do one thing every day that gets you closer to your goal. It doesn’t have to be huge, it just needs to happen. An uncomfortable phone call, an unprompted email, a spot of research, a tweet… Just keep going.
Do you think women feel intimidated in business?As a self starter, it’s hard for me to say. I don’t have an insight into other business’s right now so I’m lead from what I hear and read. These things tell me we are intimidated but I also feel we could be on the brink of real change. There are some amazing campaigns happening right now that are empowering women and could help to change society and give us the opportunities we deserve.
Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.? On a good day, walking by a loch, packing a picnic or creating a masterpiece in playdough.On a bad day, still wiping one kids arse whilst shouting at the other one to just get dressed.
What do you love about your job?I have loved jewellery since I was a little girl and it is still incomprehensible to me that I’m making a career out of it. When I make, I switch off. Any stresses, problems or reoccurring worries just drop out of my head and that feeling is priceless.
What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?Not returning to work after having my first child. It was a tough call and socially difficult as most of my friends went back. However, I knew I wouldn’t make much money post childcare and it didn’t align with my long term plan which was to have any sort of craft business. It probably didn’t make sense to people at the time but I wouldn’t be here now if I’d done things differently.I spent the following two years trying every craft possible before settling on jewellery. I knew as soon as I took my first class I was going to be hooked. The fact I could make my own jewellery blew my mind and I just wanted to learn everything I could about it. I just don’t think I would of had the time, energy or inclination to go on this journey if I had still been working.
What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?I fear it’s probably still to come, because right now nothing springs to mind.
What would you be doing if you were me now?Putting my feet up, cracking a bottle of wine and promoting my awesome blog?!
How do you organise your time?Right now it’s quite easy as my husband has been furloughed and is unfortunately now being made redundant. We split the working week in to three hour chunks of childcare. When he starts working again I’ll be back to the naptime and evening juggle. As the business has grown significantly over the past few months I have no idea how this will work, but I guess we’ll figure out a way through it!
What do you think is your greatest strength?Honesty and being able to say things as I see them.
What do you think is your greatest weakness?Also, honesty and being able to say things as I see them. Sometimes my lack of filter is a problem. Not for me, but for the person on the receiving end of it!
How do you make decisions?I follow my gut and I also say fuck it. I think we all deliberate over decisions for way too long. If the worst thing that might happen is someone might think you’re a bit of a dick, then really just crack on.
What do you read?I don’t get time to read much, I have a stack of books waiting to be read and I will consider my life truly balanced when I get round to reading themI listen to a lot of podcasts, especially when working. I recommend Creative Rebels, Hollys Conversations of Inspiration and Brave New You. I find all of these a great inspiration and they’re packed full of helpful business tips.
What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?Pure bloody mindedness! When I set myself a target, I don’t stop. I ran a marathon many years ago just because I wanted to get it off the tick list. I think I’ve run less than 10 miles in total since?! I set a goal, achieve it, move on to the next one. I’d call it my stubborn yet determined streak that pushes me to just keep going.
FANTASTIC FEMALE – CLAIRE SMITH FOUNDER OF CLOUDY LEMONADE JEWELLERY
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