Jewelry That ‘Women Want to Wear’

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business Spotlight.

Small Business Spotlight: Got Sparkles

Who: Kristi Taylor, founder, @GotSparkles2006

What: Handmade jewelry

Where: Carmichael, Calif.

When: 2006

How: Taylor began making jewelry as a hobby while working in the insurance management industry, where she had more than 20-years experience.

“My husband said, ‘Not that it’s a problem, but have you seen your credit card bill? You should make this a full-time job,’” Taylor said.

And so she did. One year later she opened up a brick-and-mortar store, Taylor’s Art and Soul, where she sells other artist’s work alongside her pieces, which she said accounts for about 50% of the store’s sales.

Quote from the owner: “There’s been highs and lows, and in this economy it’s a real challenge,” she said. “But I make all of the jewelry myself, and create jewelry that women want to wear.”