"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi
H i s t o r y
You could say that this shop started some 20-odd years ago, when I was a little girl making earrings for my mom out of seed beads and dental floss (pretty AND minty, what more could you ask for?)
More concisely, though, Azki Jewelry started out on Etsy in 2009 as an outlet for creative passion. Our home has always been filled with crafty projects - knitting, crocheting, sewing... the list goes on. When my mom came home with a necklace design that she'd found in "Bead Style" magazine, we set about re-creating it. We quickly discovered the big, wide world of jewelry design - so many materials to choose from, each with its own style and beauty.
I was hooked. In between obtaining a Master's Degree in Economics and working as a civil servant, I've spent the last few years poring over books, online tutorials, and YouTube videos, as well as taking jewelry design courses, meandering through bead stores for countless hours, shopping online for the best products and prices... it's been a labour of love, and mostly self-taught. My friends and family have gotten used to me invading their personal space to get a closer look at the jewelry they're wearing, to get ideas for designs and techniques.
P r e s e n t l y
2014 was a HUGE year for me and my business - after two years of careful planning, I finally transitioned to running the shop full time. It's a lot of work, but I truly love making beautiful, high quality jewelry with my own two hands - and I'm thrilled by the connections I am able to make through Etsy with customers from around the world! I can't describe how happy it makes me to know that people are walking around, feeling pretty because they're wearing something that I made just for them.
My work is now featured at The Aga Khan Museum shop and The Gardiner Museum shop, both in Toronto. I also do various markets and shows throughout the year - follow my Instagram for updates and come say hi if you're in the area!
Outside of my business, I am also a hands-on parent to a very active toddler. I really appreciate the flexibility and versatility that my work brings to my life as a mom!
*** If you're interested in seeing parts of my creative process, follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/azkijewelry
*** You can find more of my work at One Thing True (www.onethingtrue.etsy.com), a shop I created in 2014 especially for my unique resin pendants featuring hand-painted watercolour backgrounds and inspirational quotes. What can I say, I'm a woman of many talents ;)
