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Fairy Tale Jewelry

What do Lord of the Rings, Stevie Nicks and Stonehenge have in common? Camias Jewelry Designs, or better said Kelly Graham, the artist behind the fairy tale masterpieces.

Jewels are said to be born about 75,000-100,000 years ago in the Middle Stone Age, when people started to encompass symbols of their every day life in simple art forms. About 7,000 years ago, the first steps to forged jewelry were made. Kelly Graham is a modern descendant of ancient art with her creations forged from the heart. Let’s follow her very own words…

What do you create?
I create whimsical, magical pieces of jewelry which I hope will feed the inner muse and spirit within the individual. I may make these from an internal, inspirational source but, once a piece adorns the wearer, it takes on their essence and truly becomes their own. These pieces include headpieces and circlets, bracelets, pendants and neck torcs.

Every great company has a great name. How did you come up with yours?
My business name is strictly an acronym! Cam for the first three letters of Campbell, which is a family name for generations. Then the I-A-S is I Am Scottish, from whence the Campbell name originates.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I began this business back in 1994, as an apprentice, and really cut my teeth and chops working for other jewelers until I took myself to school, for a two year program, to really become qualified and skilled. I continued to work for other jewelers until a few years ago, when I took this adventure on my own, full-time.

What are your future plans?
I plan to keep striving to create a better business and forge new, creative ideas within it.

3 words for anybody new in this business
“Don’t. Give. Up.”

Which of the tools you use is a personal favorite?
I just can’t live without my coping saw and my CD player. It’s my bread and butter of all I do.

What keeps you motivated?
Listen to lots of Celtic music! And, sometimes I just get hit with an idea, and the freshness of it all motivates me to keep pushing. Even in the slow times.

Inspiration is not sold at the market. Who is your muse and where do you find it?
My muse is myself. I can only rely on me for creating what I do, and I’m old enough to believe in myself without having other idols in the works. That took some time, but self belief is crucial. I may not know how I come up with some of the ideas, because I let my hands take over, without over thinking things, but if the end result is unique and inventive and beautiful…then I feel that’s my muse speaking!

How do you promote your business?
I did only word of mouth for years and only recently have I begun to blog and use forums as a means to help spread the self-promotion word.

Are you content with your business?
I’m content and grateful, absolutely. I also wouldn’t mind being better!

Who are some of your favorite designers/artists?
I love people who can point a camera and take amazing photographs. I think Ansel Adams is fantastic. Monet for the use of brilliant color schemes.

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