Circa 72 Jewellery | Shop Scotland

Anyway I enrolled at Glasgow Metropolitan College for 10 weeks of evening classes and absolutely loved it. From then on, I haven't given anything else a second thought really. When the evening classes came to an end I bought a jewellers saw and a few basic tools and applied for a place at the college to study full time. I was a little apprehensive to be a "mature student", but it was such a fantastic time and I met some really wonderful people. I was fortunate to have some tutors who were really inspiring and helped me so much.

I left college in May 2010 with the offer of a place on the HND course starting in September 2010 which I fully intended to take. I spent months over the summer agonising over the want to return to study verses the need to earn some money and eventually came to the decision to set up my own business so that I could continue to create jewellery and hopefully earn some money too. And so with great trepidation and excitement Circa 72 was set up in August 2010.

Starting Out - At the beginning of January 2008, I decided that I had to take massive action! I wasn't unhappy, but had reached a point in my career where I felt unfulfilled. I didn't want to progress further up the ladder and my job had become mundane. So I took the rather scary decision to leave my well paid and fairly secure job to pursue new ventures. I've always enjoyed being creative and have loved jewellery from a young age. Not just for how it looks but I'm fascinated by the choices people make and the way in which we choose to adorn ourselves.

About Kary - I'm Kary, 38 years old and I live in Glasgow with my husband Andy and my cat Snoop. I'm originally from Hampshire but moved to Scotland in 1999.

Business Name - Its hard choosing a name for your business. I spent weeks going over different ideas but finally hit upon Circa 72. I was born in 1972 and the seventies were a particularly happy time for me growing up in a lovely part of the world. My jewellery is often inspired by the people and times in my life that are special to me, so it seemed perfect and had significance to me.

Previous Jobs - I had a Sunday paper round for 3 weeks when I was a teenager . I quickly worked out that I wasn't cut out for squashing broadsheets through letter boxes and quit that. As a teenager I waitressed in a wine bar, was a regular babysitter and had a saturday job in a vintage clothes shop. I didn't know what I wanted to do, I wasn't terribly academic so left school at 16 and went to work as a Clerical Assistant at Eagle Star Insurance and 20 years later I was still in insurance but working for RBS Insurance as a recovery team leader.

Being Self Employed - The freedom to make my own choices and do what I love doing is the absolute best thing about working for myself. Also the flexibility is great, I can work late into the night sometimes, but also start at lunch time if I need to be somewhere without putting anyone else out. It can be a little lonely at times and its very exciting starting your own business but also very scary. I'm lucky that I have a great husband but there are still odd times when you could do with the encouragement and support you get when working with others. Work life balance can be tricky too, its often hard to switch off especially as I work from home its tempting to work all hours.

Achievements - Well, it's early days so I'm still pinching myself that I've taken the plunge and set up. But I guess building a customer base and seeing repeat customers feels like the best thing just now.

Goals - Continue to build networks and explore other potential avenues. To develop new ranges of jewellery and look to be stocked in some shops and build a wider customer base.

With Hindsight - It all still feels new so I'm learning all the time, but I'd say don't isolate yourself, get to know others who are going through or who have been through the same fears and concerns as you. It helps to have support. Also whatever line of business you're in, listen to your customers. Their feedback is invaluable and will help you shape your business. But above all else enjoy it and don't lose sight of why you're doing it.

Ideal Day Off - It would probably be a Sunday, long lazy lie in and then the Sunday papers and late breakfast with my husband. Cinema for a film in the afternoon, and then a meet up for a meal and a glass or two of wine with good friends would be perfect.

Find Me - My Jewellery is for sale via my website. I also sell through craft events, details of which are listed on the Circa 72 Facebook page and will be updated on my website very soon.

Promotion - Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have been great and I've established some great contacts. Being at the craft market in Merchant Square regularly has also helped both in establishing contact with other businesses and customers and of course Shop Scotland has been great too.

Favourite TV Show - Never mind the Buzzcocks

Favourite Film - Gone with the Wind

Favourite Book - The Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton

Favourite Holiday Destination - Sorrento, Italy

Favourite Restaurant - The Italian Caffe - Albion Street Glasgow

Your Signature Dish - Lasagne - Its the only thing I can make well.

You can find out more about Circa 72 Jewellery at Facebook - Twitter

Buy direct from Kary at www.circa72design.co.uk. View more Jewellery on our listings page.

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Inspiration - This is probably going to sound naff, but inspiration comes from just about everything around me, both now and in my past. My sister and I were lucky to have a loving family home with a fantastic garden in the Hampshire countryside and so my love of nature stems from fond childhood memories spent building camps and playing games in the garden.

Both of my parents were keen gardeners and they grew a multitude of different flowers which I duly stole the heads from to crush and make perfume. Sadly my parents are no longer with us, but those are precious family times in my life that inspire me.

Holidays spent visiting family in Scotland (my Mum was Scottish) and walking my Grans dog on the beach in Dalmeny, to family holidays with Mum & Dad in Cornwall all ramble about in my head and help inspire me. I am generally interested in people, nature, the sea and great architecture.