She started her career marketing for none other than Steve Jobs and his Next computer but a move to the East coast landed her at Tiffany’s. This was a great fit. Lynne Mercein grew up in Northern California and really enjoyed her crafts class in high school, specifically making jewelry with metals, “I loved to cast and solder metals in shop class. My father also made jewelry as a hobby and he used to teach me his techniques.”
While wor
king in the Manhattan offices of Tiffany’s in marketing, Lynne w
ould often sneak upstairs at the 5th Avenue store to see the jewelers at work. “Some of their items were made there and I found it so interesting to watch them work. I knew then that it was something I wanted to do at some point.”
When her first child was born she left her career to stay home with the baby. But while he napped, Lynne got her jewelry fix by making beaded necklaces using colorful silks and unique beads. Her friends loved them, so she began having trunk shows and selling at a few retail stores. “I was a naptime career woman. When he slept, I worked.”
But with three more kids after the first, Lynne took time off to be a full time mom. Once the youngest was in preschool and she turned forty, Lynne says, “I had a complete mid life crisis and knew I needed to do something for myself.” (We’ve all been there.)
Lynne enrolled in a wor
kshop with Carmen Lund that required her to create a vision board of sorts. “When I looked back on what I had been doing, I realized it was not fulfilling my creative need and the need to do something for me.” Her exploration pointed her back to her love of making jewelry.
She began to take classes in metal smithing at a local art studio called Silvermine. “My focus was on using metal to make one-of-a-kind pieces. I was mainly making jewelry for myself and didn’t have the confidence to even think of selling the things I made.”
But that changed with the compliments that were given when she wore her creative designs. “My architect really liked a ring that I made for myself and asked me to make one for his wife. This was my first commission in metal . He then asked me to make a few more after his wife was wowed by the ring.” Lynne felt that it was the ultimate compliment when another designer, even though from another field, valued her work. At this point she knew she would able to create a venture around her passion.
“Setting up a web site that showed a gallery of my work was a huge learning curve. ” The site gives Lynne’s bio and contact information. She also designed the logo herself using a ginkgo leaf which also appear in many of her jewelry creations and is her signature design.
What else inspires her? Lynne looks to nature, to textures and to colors to find ideas for her pieces. She set up a home studio so she can work anytime. Now she sells at the occasional trunk show and is commissioned for individual pieces. “I’m so happy and fulfilled when I work. I can spend hours in my studio and it feels like only minutes. I get in a zone where I’m in complete peace. Working is like meditation for me.”
Taking older pieces and transforming or reinventing them into current styles has become a big part of Lynne’s business. (Before and after studs left.) In the future Lynne would like to expand her metal items to lighting, accessories and maybe even furniture. “My husband and kids are so supportive and like to see me find my happiness. Who knew a vision board would lead me back to what I always loved to do.”
VentureMom Tip
Do a vision board for yourself to see where you should focus your talents.
