Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Amador.
Cristina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been in the Jewelry industry for 15 years, designing and making jewelry for my namesake brand. On 2016, I was asked to give a design and ethics workshop to the Jeweler community of Chordeleg, located in the Andean region of Ecuador, and was heartbroken to learn that these artisans were being underpaid for their work by local jewelry stores. It was then that I decided I could do something more, I gathered them and told them my idea: to start a brand where I would design the pieces, they would then give their input on the designs since they are the experts on the technique, and I would sell them, paying them fair wages. We immediately started working on our first collection, little by little polishing all the aspects of the production process. We soon found our first retailer, The Curated Look, who has helped us grow as a brand and get some recognition. We are now about to launch our third collection, which is a collab with The Curated Look, inspired by Palm Beach.
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?
I think like any journey, it has had its ups and downs. It was the first time I depended on someone else for the production of pieces, as I had worked alone producing my own jewelry for so long. I had to work a lot on learning to communicate better, so that the artisans could understand exactly the designs. We also had to work on the consistency of the pieces, the artisans had never worked as wholesalers selling multiples of one design, so it was a struggle at first, but after two years we have installed systems that help us communicate better and replicate the pieces as close to the original design as possible.
I was lucky I started my first business when I was so young (18) and I was too immature to think about risks, so I just charged forward with my idea until I made it a reality. It hasn’t always been easy, but being consistent and showing up for your business has been key to being successful for a long time. I would also say to ask for help when you need it, there are people in every community willing to lend a helping hand. And if you can afford it, invest in someone that can help you where you are lacking. In my case, it was the numbers. I am a creative and like most creatives, I am messy all around, in my workshop and with my numbers. So, I hired someone to help me with the things I am not very good at… and I can focus on the things I am good at to keep the business growing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Kitik Jewelry story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a jewelry designer, Kitik Jewelry is a filigree brand, created by artisans who have been passed down this knowledge for generations. The designs of the brand aim to keep alive symbols and elements from the Ecuadorian cultures and nature with a modern yet timeless aesthetic. The art of filigree is a very delicate technique that takes a long time to master and every piece is done with thin threads of wire, bending them and shaping them into the finished pieces of jewelry you get to wear. We work primarily with fine silver and 24k gold plating and can do solid gold pieces by commission.
I am proud of how far along we’ve come as a brand, how we’ve learned to overcome our obstacles and to see that people love our pieces. What sets us apart is that our brand is committed to Fair Trade, it was the reason the brand was born, our designs are unique and our craftsmanship is superb!
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
You need to start knocking on doors, sending emails and making calls! Not everyone will want to mentor you and not everyone will be a good fit. Maybe you will need to reach out to the same person more than once and that’s ok. You just have to put yourself out there, talk to people, ask questions and ask for help. It is also helpful to find someone who is on the same road as you and you can hold each other accountable and help each other that way. Find facebook groups of people in the same business as you that are willing to share resources. I have found that there is always someone willing to help out, especially if they have been in the same place as you before.
Pricing:
- Our retail prices start from $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kitikjewelry.com
- Phone: 786-614-6119
- Email: kitik.jewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kitikjewelry
- Facebook: facebook.com/kitikjewelry
Image Credit:
Margarita Dueñas, Diana Gamarra
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
