Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Elliott.
Tiffany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started making jewelry with recycled materials as a bored preteen. My skills developed over the years with community classes in my late teens and a technical college course in my early 20’s. It took me years to realize that the thing I did in my spare time could actually be my career. To be completely honest, it took an old boss nudging me to accept myself as an artist, and my mother nearly kicking me out on my behind to finally pursue my passion.
Now I’m years into the game. I believe that my passion and skills mean nothing if I can’t share it with others. So I began teaching free jewelry workshops to youths in under-resourced areas, and I must say it is more rewarding than making jewelry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been smooth. To make jewelry, you need special tools and machinery. Some of these items were way too expensive for my minimum wage pockets. So I had to save and constantly search craigslist for sparse postings of the things I needed. The hard part is when I spent a grand for a machine and some tools that died on me a year later. I was able to get some use from it, but keep in mind I was working minimum wage at the time, so replacing it was difficult.
To give you an idea of how expensive some items can be, a standard wooden jewelry desk can cost around $400 dollars. I have a mini not so special desk I got from the ally behind a jewelry store that I paid $25 for. So there are some wins!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Tee Sankey Designs is a family-owned business dedicated to producing quality and ethically made goods. We use recycled metal, eco-friendly packaging, and when possible, stones sourced from second-hand finds. We are mainly known for my jewelry designs that are one of a kind or limited edition. My designs are centered around simplifying baroque by using negative space. We recently began branching out and are now producing other goods like clothing.
I am most proud of our free jewelry workshops for students in under-resourced areas. The students all begin the process doubting themselves about their ability to make a piece of jewelry, but at the end, they are proud of their design. Currently, I am raising funds to turn a transit bus into a mobile jewelry studio (#TSDmobile) so I can reach more students where they are.
What were you like growing up?
I was a moody child, that spoke to herself and played with her imaginary black dog. When I wasn’t playing with my puppy, I was making pins from bottle caps, earrings from clothespins, and bangles from carboard. I was a whirlwind of energy that used recyclables as puzzles pieces that adorn the body.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TeeSankeyDesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teesankeydesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeeSankeyDesigns
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/teesankeydesigns
Image Credit:
Todd Bates
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