Before Rebecca Tollefsen ever thought of making jewelry as a potential business venture, she picked up the practice for quite a different purpose. “I was doing social work that was fairly stressful, working with the families of young children with disabilities and other lifelong medical conditions,” Rebecca explains. “At night I would come home and make jewelry as a creative outlet.”
Rebecca opened an Etsy shop in 2008, and in the years since, her work has evolved and expanded to become a full-time job. Now, she spends every day crafting personalized bracelets, necklaces, and earrings in her Manchester, New Hampshire, studio—as om sounds drift over from her sister-in-law’s yoga studio next door. (Talk about trading stress for serenity!)
As Rebecca’s business has grown, her real estate footprint has, too: The designer just opened a retail space beyond the French doors of her studio so that people can peruse (and purchase) her “clean, everyday pieces” in person.
Read on to find out the secret mantra Rebecca abides by and how this self-taught jewelry designer found the courage to quit her day job.
Why did you choose jewelry making as stress relief, and how did that lead to opening your Etsy shop?
Anytime I traveled, I would always collect pieces of jewelry and remember those places or times in my life by the jewelry. I would make jewelry for myself as well, if I couldn’t find what I wanted. That turned into making stuff for other people. A colleague’s wife was selling bags on Etsy and he told me about it. I started listing some of my work and it sold pretty quickly. It is just so much easier to reach people on Etsy than through a craft fair or word of mouth.
Do you remember the first piece you put up in your shop?
It might have been a beaded pair of earrings. At first I was doing a lot of wire wrapping and gemstone jewelry. Then I connected with a bride from Australia who was looking for a locket piece for her wedding party. I ended up refinishing and restoring vintage lockets for all of her bridesmaids. I listed some that I had left over and they sold very quickly. That opened up the doorway to the vintage lockets that I work with and my design aesthetic with mixed metals—I built it from there.
Why do you think people are so drawn to lockets in particular?
I think it’s the idea of the special meaning behind it. It can hold so many things—a picture, a lock of hair, a charm, a message—and it becomes this keepsake for one person to give another. I love when something can represent a memory or a special day.
How did you transition to making jewelry full time?
Every single day after work and on the weekends I would immerse myself in jewelry making techniques and photography and branding—anything to help propel my business to the next level. I really listened to my customers, and I tailored my designs to get to a place between what I loved and what they wanted. Slowly but surely, I found my own little voice in the world through my jewelry.
In 2011, I had eliminated a lot of the gemstone jewelry and rebranded a bit, and I opened a new Etsy shop with more of a streamlined focus. As soon as I did that, things started taking off. I started getting some press and a ton of sales and within a few months I could no longer keep up with working full time—the jewelry line had become full-time as well. I sat down with my husband and we reviewed all of the financials and realized that I could leave my day job.
How did that realization feel? Was it something you’d been hoping for?
Yes. I had been religiously reading Etsy’s Quit Your Day Job series and one of the interviews I loved was with a bag maker called Valhalla Brooklyn. I remember being like, “Wow, that’s such a great life; what a dream.” I started building towards that but never really fully believed I could make it happen.
Then my brother passed away unexpectedly in the summer of 2011, and after that I had a new perspective on how you have to make things happen because life is short. It’s cliché to say it, but it is—and that gave me the courage to take that leap. I was working 40 hours a week in my day job and 40 hours a week on my jewelry line and I’d just had a baby, and it was pretty crazy. I just said, “I have to do it now.” And it felt really good. It was a little scary because my husband was a stay-at-home dad at the time, but I definitely had that courage behind me of, No, you only live once. I leapt in and I can’t believe it’s been five years now.
What’s your favorite part about the work you do?
All of it? I’m so thankful I get to do this. My house is right near my studio and my son’s school and it’s right next to the post office, so my schedule is really sweet. I get up in the morning, get my son ready, bring him to school, and then head over to the studio and work until school’s out. I grab him, bring him back to the studio, finish up my day, head to the post office and then come home. It’s really nice that it allows me to spend those afternoon hours finishing my job, but with my son there. He’s six and has been very interested in the jewelry making process lately, which is so sweet.
Do you have a special piece of jewelry that you wear every day?
Last year I released the “halos” collection, including a necklace with a little hidden message on the back of the pendant; the back of mine says “peace & plenty.” I’ve been wearing it for a year now. I love that piece because it looks like an everyday necklace that goes with everything, but on the back it has a little mantra that I try to incorporate into my life. I’ve actually had some requests from clients for different situations: A woman’s daughter had cancer, so she and her daughter ordered lockets that said “strength” on the back. And I had someone who’d had a miscarriage who ordered lockets for herself and her mom with “hope” on the back.
What inspires you?
The biggest thing that inspires me is when I connect with customers and talk with them about what the piece means to them, who it’s for and what it represents. I’ve had people tell me some really fascinating stories about why they’re ordering the jewelry and I feel really proud and honored to get to make that piece for them. When they receive it and write me to say that they loved it and that it made the person cry, or that they wear it every day because it represents someone so special to them, I mean—I love that feeling.
Follow Rebecca Tollefsen on Facebook and Instagram.
Photographs by Rebecca Tollefsen.
55 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Your work is beautiful! Congratulations on the feature! I am so sorry about your brothers passing. You are such an inspiration! And having a little boy to go through your journey with is awesome!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
Gorgeous shop and products. Congrats on the great feature! It's nice to see your son and to know he is there with you and I was sad to hear about your brother's passing. I opened my shop after my father in law passed away and named it after him.
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
What a great story, Rebecca! Your halo necklace is beautiful in its simplicity and must bring such serenity to the special lives the hidden messages touch! Such a blessing!!! Congratulations on the feature and many wishes for your continued success! :D
Niki from JandEdoodles said 4 years ago
Your lockets are gorgeous (and so is your studio space!). Congratulations on the feature.
Helen Harwood from FatBerry said 4 years ago
Amazing creations and lovely workspace. Thank you so much for your work. Congratulations on the feature!
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 4 years ago
Kudos to distressing! Love your story!
Eric Lindley from wireandwoods said 4 years ago
Very nice work! Glad you are able to follow your dream. Thanks for lifting us all up today!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
Really sorry about your brother. My father just passed away two and a half years ago. You have a beautiful shop. Congratulations on the feature.
Colleen O'Neal from truthbeautyandlove27 said 4 years ago
Your story is so very inspiring to me, I too hope one day to have a studio and more time to spend with son and be closer to home! Congratulations, I also love the idea behind lockets and the way they can represent something so special and personal!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature! You have a lovely shop with beautiful designs! I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother. May God bless you with peace, strength and comfort as you move forward. Wishing you much success with your shop!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 4 years ago
Love the hidden messages, beautiful work, congratulations on the feature!
Maria B. from TheNorthWayStudio said 4 years ago
What a gorgeous aesthetic--lockets are just magical pieces of jewelry. Congratulations on your wonderful feature!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 4 years ago
I love your design style... marrying old vintage locket with personalized charm. Awesome idea. Rebecca, congratulations on your successful business!
Tatiana Scalozub from TSminibears said 4 years ago
The workplace is so speaking! it is also interesting to look how other artist work and follow them ;)
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 4 years ago
Lovely items and wonderful shop. Congrats on the feature.
Suzi from ThePillowStudioShop said 4 years ago
I love this jewelry. It is unique and beautiful. Well done. :)
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 4 years ago
Your story is touching, beautiful, inspiring, and empowering! Thank you for sharing your journey, and I wish you continued success and blessings!!
Stacey from GraphixLLC said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Your story was so inspiring! Taking the big leap and doing what you love is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story and your gorgeous products!
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 4 years ago
Lovely jewelry....Your creations are so unique! You packaging is very pretty too!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Beautiful creations and work space. Congratulations on the feature!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 4 years ago
Great style ~ Authentic and kind gifts !
R. Anne from LnRworks said 4 years ago
That looks great! Congrats <3
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 4 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Rebecca for sharing your blessed journey, lovely arts and peace-filled inspiring life with us. Peace.
elm the person from elmtheperson said 4 years ago
you had me at lockets
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Great article! Beautiful work!
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 4 years ago
lovely story and beautiful work! congrats on the feature.
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 4 years ago
wow...that locket with the florals is divine!! beautiful work and what a sweet set up all around! congrats on a lovely feature!
Suzanne Rorick from SRorickArt said 4 years ago
You are very talented Rebecca and you have a lovely collection of unique jewelry! It's encouraging to hear stories from artists who are able to create a living doing what they love and be able to leave a stressful job behind. Congrats on the feature.
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 4 years ago
dear lord this is wonderful !
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 4 years ago
Beautiful lockets! Congrats on the feature. Well deserved.
Camille Turner from rosegoldnecklaces said 4 years ago
Seriously love your shop. Everything looks like perfection!
Donna Strnad from SaltyScavenger said 4 years ago
Amazing and lovely work, Your an inspiration and thanks for sharing .
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
birdhouseaccents from birdhouseaccents said 4 years ago
Great job
juliepwolfe said 4 years ago
I have been wracking by brain how to thank a group of loving people who have been spending half their life over the past six years supporting our local public school, and you inspired me. I was thinking lockets - that how I found your work. How do you give something that shows appreciation, and leaves them with something that penetrates meaning to describe their valuable efforts? Your lockets are beautiful and loving.
Etrennes from Etrennes said 4 years ago
Beautiful and unique creations! Wishing you all the best for continued success!!!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 4 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your lovely shop. All the Best :)
Kathryn Hilbert said 4 years ago
A new Favorite!! xox
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 4 years ago
What a great story! Thank you for sharing and congratulation on your feature.
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 4 years ago
I wish i can go full time with my shop one day. Very inspiring and i pray for more blessings to you.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 4 years ago
I love your work! Congrats on the feature!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 4 years ago
Love your shop! You have such great pieces and such an inspiring story. Congrats on a well-deserved feature!
Harnit from FireDrawings said 4 years ago
Very inspiring and best of wishes for your work.
Laura from PetalAlley said 4 years ago
I love the necklace with the tiny bouquet! So clever!
Sarah Moore from TheTangerineViolet said 4 years ago
Love your style, Rebecca!
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 4 years ago
Beautiful work, lovely !Congratulations on the feature! ♥
Sharon from YearsAfter said 4 years ago
Love how the inside of the locket is as important as the front. Lockets hold meaning and secrets of love! Your work space is wonderful too! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the feature!
Melissa Partridge from ColorMelissa said 4 years ago
Gorgeous work from a fellow New Englander!! So sorry to hear about your brother. It's amazing how healing Art is. Art helped me through the grieving of my Dad in 2013 as well. Congrats on the feature and best of luck on your continued success!!
Sally from SallysVintageKitchen said 4 years ago
Beautiful jewelry! Congratulations on the feature!
Sara Beznicki-Kang from agildedleaf said 4 years ago
Really beautiful work - and such an inspiring story!
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 4 years ago
Beautiful Items! Congrats!
Jane Brown from SandCanyonJewelry said 4 years ago
Your work is beautiful, and I love your studio! It's so light and airy--and neat! Much success to you.
Dewald Botha from DewaldsFotos said 4 years ago
Amazing work ... !!!
sheilapikes1 from sheilapikes1 said 4 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing your story and photographs. I do not have a shop but my sister-in-law does and I have learned how to appreciate things made by others who put TLC into their work. Continue to prosper. Sheila
Stark Photography said 3 years ago
Gorgeous jewelry! Your work is amazing - big congrats on the feature!