InTouch with Southern Kentucky July 2020 | Page 21

“My jewelry making journey started
when I found some crystal moon
charms online and I had the idea of
making a simple necklace out of them,”
she said. “I am a part of Gamma Phi
Beta, which is a sorority at Morehead
State University. Our symbol is the
crescent moon and I know that some
of my sisters in Gamma Phi would be
interested in these necklaces as well!
“I made a bunch of them and a lot
more people were interested in these
necklaces than I originally thought
would be,” added Stephens. “I decided
I would like to make more pieces
and sell them to a larger audience. I
then started looking for more charms
and more supplies and now I make
hundreds of different pieces. I found
that it was a great artistic outlet for me,
and luckily other people really liked
what I was doing as well!”
Like many other jewelry artists,
Stephens sells her wares on Etsy.
My business is called “Elle Vee
Jewelry”. You can find her searching @
elleveejewelry on Instagram or Twitter
and clicking the link to her Etsy in the
bio. Stephens always have a coupon
code posted in the bio as well. She
regularly posts updates on Mondays at
5 p.m.
“I chose Etsy, because it was a
website that I previously used to
purchase handmade art,” she said. “It
helps a lot with keeping track of my
sales and my orders.”
The best part of making jewelry is
the community she’s discovered, noted
Stephens. One of her best friends is
Peyton Coots of Somerset, who also
makes jewelry at witchythoughts.
bigcartel.com.
“We have bonded so much over
our love for creating jewelry and
we’ve both found so many other
friends online who love to create,”
said Stephens. “It’s so freeing to have
an outlet that you’re so passionate
about. My escape from classes or life
in general comes from my ability to
just sit down and make jewelry that
I love. I’ve felt so much support from
my customers, friends and family and
I’m so blessed that people love what I
create.”
Stephens also loves making rings,
for which she uses real gemstones
and non-tarnishing stainless steel for
quality. Her most popular item is her
butterfly necklace, she said, which
always sell out when she posts them.
And her favorite thing to wear for
herself are seed bead anklets, a “cute
and casual piece for the summer” that’s
also “super comfortable.”
It’s not all a dazzling affair, though.
Jewelry making is still work, and it’s
something Stephens does seven days
a week, while balancing it with her
school load.
“Running a jewelry business involves
a lot more than just creating,” she said.
“It’s packing and shipping, reordering
supplies, keeping a full inventory,
advertising and keeping in contact
with customers. I sell my jewelry
at affordable prices, so I’m always
searching for great quality supplies that
aren’t too expensive.”
If there’s one thing that shines
through for Stephens, its importance
of a good support system to help make
the dream possible. She said she’s
grateful for her family, friends and
boyfriend for supporting her in what
she’s doing, and for her community for
taking an interest in what she’s been
doing -- truly, a girl’s best friends.
“I have invested so much time and
money into my business, but I love it,”
said Stephens. “I took a week off to see
family recently and I still couldn’t stop
thinking about how I just would love
to be creating. I’m super grateful that I
love what I do.”
“ It’s so freeing to have
an outlet that you’re so
passionate about. My escape
from classes or life in general
comes from my ability to just
sit down and make jewelry
that I love. I’ve felt so much
support from my customers,
friends and family and I’m so
blessed that people love what
I create.”
Aubre Stephens
July 2020 In Touch with Southern Kentucky • 21