Chatting Beads, Etsy & Social Media With Emma From Evren Blue

We chat to Emma from Evren Blue Jewellery all about her love of gemstone beads, selling on Etsy, the power of video on social media and so much more! Sharing her favourite resources for learning, recommended tools for beginners and of course her inspirational designs.

Emma has also created a brilliant tutorial for you, sharing how to make earwires featuring pretty gemstone beads - a perfect project if you're at the start of your jewellery making journey.

"Lockdown hit, and I think I was inspired, along with many others, to start igniting lost passions again..."

Hi Emma, tell us where your love for jewellery came from!

I have always loved jewellery, my mum has an inspirational collection of beautiful jewellery, so I grew up surrounded by sparkly things, I loved trying it on as a little girl and going with mum to jewellery shops was like walking into an Aladdin's cave!

I remember the first opal silver ring I was given by a friend and I never took it off, I was mesmerised by the colours in the opal.

What gave you the inspiration to start making your own jewellery and how did this progress into selling your creations?

A few years ago I did a silver jewellery making course with my mum and sister and I was inspired from that moment. However, 2 children later and I'd pushed that longing to make jewellery deep into the recesses of my brain and continued pursuing my career in the probation service. Then, lockdown hit, and I think I was inspired, along with many others, to start igniting lost passions again.

It started with me just researching courses and materials, but I soon found a wealth of online tutorials and courses and a whole world opened up to me! I just thought, "why not?" I love this and if not now, then when? I started practising and making, and friends and family encouraged me to take the plunge and set up my Etsy shop! That was almost exactly a year ago!

Do you run your small business part time or full time? If part time, what are your tips on staying organised?

I currently run my business part-time, in and around my 3 days as a Probation Service Officer and looking after 2 young children, it is very busy and I never seem to stop, but I stay organised by keeping a plan for the week in mind. I try to plan some posts on Instagram in advance, I try to not over stretch myself, but sometimes I'm giving my daughter lunch while doing a quick photoshoot of some new pieces or updating my Etsy shop! It's a juggle!

What's the meaning behind your business name?

I wanted a name that was personal but wasn't brave enough to use my own name!

My husband is half Turkish, so "Evren" means "universe" in Turkish which is also the meaning of my name "Emma" ("of the universe"), and I chose "Blue" because it's my favourite colour and features heavily in my designs!

What resources do you use to continue growing your skills?

I have found so many useful recourses from Kernowcraft, so many tutorials from other makers which is still used today as I learn more skills and take my jewellery making further. I also use courses from Jewellers Academy and YouTube, I highly recommend Andrew Berry's "At the Bench" series.

What are your recommended tools for getting started in beading?

Without doubt you need a good set of pliers, especially round nose pliers, snipe nose pliers and side cutters. I also can't do without a beading mat, ruler and a table daylight lamp as I do most of my work in the evenings!

Favourite gemstone combination and why?

I am all about the blue! I love the blues and turquoises of aquamarine, apatite and amazonite and these look gorgeous paired with silver beads or with the blue flash of labradorite.

Gold or silver?

I am a silver girl, but I occasionally reach for gold on special occasions!

What are the essential beading tools you couldn't be without and why?

I love my pliers! I have quite a collection now and love my bail making pliers for making different sized loops.

I also highly recommend a beading mat, some clear storage containers to store your beads and wire, a good light and I use a ring mandrel to form round shapes, but actually, my kids' felt tip pens work well as well!

What's your most popular design and why do you think this is?

My most popular designs are my simple briolette ones, either as necklace or wrapped earrings, I think this is because they're simple but so eye catching with the gemstone as the central focus.

"Especially now videos are becoming vital to any online presence - I like to create fun reels as I like a bit of humour and try not to take myself too seriously all the time..."

We love your briolette bead jewellery, what's your favourite thing about using these in your designs?

I love briolette beads as I love that you can see the whole gemstone in your designs. I love making the gemstone the star of the show, and by wire wrapping a briolette into your design you make it the central focus. You can make them by simply threading some silver wire through them, or wrapping silver or gold fill/plated wire around the top slightly to give a more glamourous look.

We love your fun reels! How important is social media for your business?

Social media has been the lifeline for my business as I am purely online at the moment! I mainly use Instagram, but that links directly to Facebook. I've just ventured into the world of Pinterest and TikTok as well, especially now videos are becoming vital to any online presence. I like to create fun reels as I like a bit of humour and try not to take myself too seriously all the time. I do also try and make "behind the scenes videos" or videos showcasing my latest pieces.

Tell us about the last piece of jewellery you made!

The last piece of jewellery I made is a piece called "Big Blue" as the focus is a gorgeous blue Botswana Agate stone that looks like you're wearing a piece of the sea!

One creative you're loving right now!

I have been loving the work of Cat from Angharad May Jewellery. Cat has been creating a stunning new collection, so dainty, romantic and she puts her heart and soul into each piece. She's also such a lovely person!

Tell us about your workspace!

My workspace right now is either my coffee table or kitchen table! The dream is to one day have my own workbench and space to work!

"There's a huge community ready to support you online so just go for it!"

How have you found Etsy as a selling platform?

I use Etsy because it was a great way to start selling without having to set up your own website (I know nothing about website design!). It instantly gives you a customer base so long as you know how to maximise your listings to get them in front of customers, it also produces all your emails to customers about invoices, when you've dispatched their items etc, it also keeps a record of income and how much has been deducted for listing fees etc, so it makes end of year accounts a bit easier.

It's relatively straightforward to list your items and edit them, you can create discount codes and sales and the Etsy app is really handy on your phone. However, the cons are that you can't personalise it as much as your own website, and the fees are quite high; there are listing fees, listing renewal fees (every couple of months your listings are renewed for a small fee), transaction fees plus they deduct the VAT separately for all those fees as well. All in all, I think it's between 15% - 20% that gets deducted from your sale price so make sure you accommodate for that in the prices of your items.

What advice would you give to those wanting to start selling their jewellery but hesitant to get started?

I would say, don't think about it for too long or worry about making "mistakes", nothing is set in stone in your business and I have changed in so many ways over the past year, my business has evolved, my skills have evolved, my packaging has changed, my photography style has changed, but it's still Evren Blue! There's a huge community ready to support you online so just go for it!

You've been dipping your toes into the world of metalsmithing & stone setting! What has your experience been like with learning these new skills and what can we expect to see from you in the future?

It has been a huge step for me as this has always been my dream to start metalsmithing; it's been a sharp learning curve, but I love a challenge! I adore rings so I will definitely be making those in the future and have my gemstones all ready to be made into some beautiful stacking rings. Just wish I had more hours in the day to practice, make and create!

Follow Evren Blue

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Follow Emma's Beaded Earring Tutorial

Emma shows you how to make these pretty earwires featuring gemstone beads. With step by step photos, plus the page includes our recommended tools and supplies needed for the project.

This project requires minimal tools and you can easily customise this design using your favourite gemstones! Browse our selection of gemstone beads here.

Explore Gemstone Beads

We stock a large range of gemstone beads to use for jewellery making! Including round, faceted rondelles, briolettes, top drilled, half drilled, metal beads and more to inspire you.

Many beads are sold individually, as a pack of 10 or as a strand.

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What Our Customers Say...

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.