Thank you to Voyage LA digital magazine for the interview. To see the full interview please visit:
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-carly-waters-carly-waters-designs-downtown/#comment-64771
Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Waters.
Carly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love of jewelry started at a young age. As a young girl, my Grandmother loved to show me her jewelry. She had quite a collection. I would stare in awe at exotic gems from far-away places. Raw rubies from India, emeralds from Brazil, traditional Native American pieces, and plenty of costume jewelry as well. My paternal Grandfather was also a lapidarist. He would go on long road trips to the South West US and would come back with raw turquoise, agate, chrysocolla, among others. He owned plenty of lapidary equipment and would carve his own stones. He proudly wore his many bolo ties and belt buckles that he made himself. More than just a business venture, stones and jewelry-making are in my DNA.
During my childhood and adolescence, one of my favorite past-times was combing the near-by beaches for shells, jade and other pretty rocks. My mother gave me a rock tumbler when I was a kid, I would polish pretty stones and make pieces of jewelry using that. As time went on I continued to make jewelry as a hobby and as gifts for friends. I was intrigued and studied jewelry of all forms, from Middle Eastern designs to Native American. Jewelry was just something I could not ignore.
Several years after finishing college and working in hospitality, I decided to fuse my passion with a business venture and launched Carly Waters Designs. The collection fuses feminine, petite designs with less-known stones and gems. The pieces can be worn alone or layered and accommodate any lifestyle.
The beauty of each woman can be enhanced with the right piece of jewelry- and this is my mission.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel very fortunate to be putting my energy towards something I am very passionate about, but of course, there are challenges. The US has an overly saturated jewelry market. Like many industries, there is so much competition. I am pretty well acquainted with the world of jewelry, and man there are so many talented designers out there! It really motivates me to work smarter and harder. Also, as more of an initially shy person, I have had some troubles really putting myself out there. This is probably my biggest hurdle- talking my own product and designs up to complete strangers in tough. Luckily my product speaks for itself and is well-received.
Despite some expected challenges, many opportunities are unfolding before my eyes, some of them are huge, and this reassures me that all of the challenges and sacrifices are worth it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Carly Waters Designs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Carly Waters Designs was established in 2017. We set ourself apart from other designers in that we pride ourself in fusing petite and feminine designs that can be worn in any situation with very aesthetic but less-known stones. We work a lot with stones such as peach moonstone, labradorite, pink opal, kyanite, chrysoprase, abalone, malachite, among others. There are two different collections- the Fine collection and the Everyday collection.
The Fine collection utilizes 14 karat gold with different stones and paves diamonds to enhance the stone of focal point. The everyday collection utilizes gold-filled silver, as well as sterling silver, and then the same unique stones.
Unique and gorgeous jewelry at a price point nearly anyone can attain. I sincerely believe that jewelry is a subtle way to enhance the beauty of every woman, to spice up the mundane daily uniform, and that is my mission.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the weather in LA! I love the fusion of many different cultures. I love that there is so much to do and see. It’s also nice that if you are looking for a special item or type of place, it can most likely be found in LA.
What I don’t like about LA? I hate the traffic obviously, lol. I don’t like the pollution either. That is pretty much it! City of Angels <3
Pricing:
- Diamond Slice Necklace, 14 karat yellow gold & diamonds : $788
- Abalone Heart Necklace, 14 karat yellow gold & diamonds: $1,700
- Gemstone disk choker, gold-filled disks, gemstone beads: $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carlywatersdesigns.com
- Phone: 8312775215
- Email: waters_carly@yahoo.com
- Instagram: carlywatersdesigns
- Facebook: carlywatersdesigns
- Other: Pinterest: @carlywatersdesigns
