Today we’d like to introduce you to GlittahGal Jessica Loughran.
Hi GlittahGal Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My tag line is, “Hi! I’m Glittah Gal and I rhinestone things for a living!” That isn’t just something I say, it’s my entire life! I have always been a creative person. I grew up painting portraits and drawing cartoons. After graduating, makeup was the easiest way to stay creative and that snowballed into getting invited to perform in a drag competition show at Hamburger Marys in 2018. I wasn’t sure how else to elevate my dresses and costumes for the stage other than by putting sparkle and rhinestone on them. Apparently I was pretty good at putting rhinestones on my costumes, because other drag queens began asking me to rhinestone their outfits! Before I knew it, I was rhinestoning things for peoples homes and cars and gifts! I started vending at conventions and local fairs. Between rhinestoning costumes, collectibles, and anything I could, I realized that this was a real business and I was making more (and having more fun) than I was at my corporate job. I eventually took the leap to turn my rhinestoning work into a real business and the rest is history! I’ve been rhinestoning as my primary job for over 4 years and I am busier than ever!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth! Rhinestoning things is definitely a novelty, not a necessity. Which has meant that when the economy has been tough, i feel it for sure! I do my best to keep my prices as low as I can so that consumers can still enjoy feeling sparkly and beautiful in a rhinestoned hat or a pair of sparkly sunglasses! I am always pushing to display my work at craft fairs and on social media to keep from falling into any of those slower times of the year. Things are always amazing around the holidays, but then there is that January slump. So to combat that, I have made sure to stay present on social media and network with new clients who participate in pageants and other competitions that require sparkle! I have had my work on TV shows like RuPauls Drag Race, Dragula, America’s Got Talent, and have even rhinestoned suits for politicians attending important events!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Hi! My name is Glittah Gal and I rhinestone things for a living! I am a rhinestone artist. I add sparkle to anything people want sparkly! Whether its a floor length gown or a duck for a Jeep, I have had clients from all over the world! I am the most proud of the work I’ve done for the queens on RuPauls Drag Race! Rhinestoning has become quite the trend lately, but what sets me apart from others is the level of detail and creativity I add to a project. I don’t just put stones on an item, i use rhinestones to create unique patterns and art!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I followed people like Crystal Ninja on social media and studied her work and how she operated! Imagine my surprise when I started streaming on TikTok live and Crystal Ninja was watching! And from chatting with her on TikTok, Kelly, the Crystal Ninja and I became friends and she has taught me so much! Finding a mentor or someone who inspires you can really help push you to the next level! Find people who inspire you and learn all you can! Listen to their stories and take advice if they give it! A good mentor wants to see you succeed!
Pricing:
- Sunglasses $50
- Large Duck $125
- Small Jeep Duck $,25
- Ball Cap $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@glittahgal
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missglittahgal
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@glittahgal
