Artist Spotlight, You Are My Sunshine Jewelry

PoCo Inspired: Tell us a bit about yourself

You Are My Sunshine: My name is Jessie, I am from right here in Winnipeg. I am the owner of You Are My Sunshine Jewelry. Growing up I had a love for fashion, design and décor and that soon led me to creating my own pieces and starting this small business. 

PoCo Inspired: When did you first start making jewellery and what was the first piece you ever made?

You Are My Sunshine: My first piece was in honour of my aunt who passed away. I created a hand stamped bar bracelet with the word sunshine across as something for myself to remember her by, and from there my business just kept growing.

PoCo Inspired: What inspires your creativity when making a new piece of jewellery?

You Are My Sunshine: The close people around me play a big part in my creativity when creating new pieces, I make pieces that remind me of them and In turn name those pieces after them.

PoCo Inspired: What is the single most important skill you have learned and why?

You Are My Sunshine: The one skill I have learned would be how to effectively hand stamp a piece without error. In the beginning it took a lot of trial and error to get that stamp perfect and not having two separate stamps on one piece in difference places. This has allowed me to be more efficient and less waste of materials. 

PoCo Inspired: What challenges do you face in your work?

You Are My Sunshine: Currently my challenges are supply chain, like most! Otherwise balance is another big challenge as I work out of my home and work another full time job. Finding that right balance to make time to make pieces, design new ones and fill orders.

PoCo Inspired: What is your biggest achievement so far in your business?

You Are My Sunshine: My biggest achievement so far in my business would be having customers return to my business. Knowing I've created a brand that people now like and trust.

PoCo Inspired: Where can we find you to shop online or in-person?

You Are My Sunshine: You can shop sunshine on our website at www.thesunshineproject.ca and Instagram @youaremysunnshine_