02.21.08
My Interview with Hilary, Owner of Gem Kist
Please meet Hilary Milne, Owner of www.gemkist.co.uk and www.beadsite.co.uk.
Where are you located? Scotland, UK
What do you design? Bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Where/How did you learn this? I am self taught. I also use online tutorials and crafting books.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Mary Hicklin of http://www.virgomoon.com
Where does your inspiration come from? Anything and everything I see. Sometimes it is something natural like a moss covered rock, but sometimes it is more prosaic, like a guy’s jumper in a supermarket!
What do you do to combat creative block? Go for a walk.
Where do you design your creations? My bedroom.
What does your work space look like right now? Just tidied it yesterday. Usually it is a jumble of beads, but that often leads to lucky inspirational colour combinations.
How does your family feel about what you do? Take two tablespoons of toleration, three teaspoons of amusement, a cup of admiration and a pinch of general suppoort. That’s about the right mix!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Follow your heart. Not everyone will like everything that you make , so you might as well make things that give you pleasure.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? There were two things: “You are selling too cheap. Raise your prices by 33%.” And not advice so much as a statement by my business adviser, “Put all those beads in front of me and I could not do what you do with them.” If something comes naturally to you, you tend to take it for granted that it would be easy for anyone to do.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Working as much or as little as I want.
Least favorite? Tax returns.
How do you relax? Make a piece of jewellry, surf the net, play with Photoshop, participate in forums and design websites.
Favorite color? Turquoise.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Oh yes!
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Trying out new techniques, and using tools that I have bought.
A sample of Gem Kist and Beadsite products. For all products, please visit Hilary’s websites.
