Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Broekman.
Hi Julie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. In preschool, they asked each kid to do a self portrait of themselves that they then combined into a sweatshirt for the the parents of the class. Every other kid did a little stick figure smiley face of some kind, and I drew a fish. So even at age 4 apparently my little brain was other places. I started making jewelry and selling it almost immediately in high school. My mom told me about Etsy and I was thrilled to be able to have a place to channel all my creative energy. I made and sold bobby pins with wire wrapped buttons on them for years. My work slowly evolved into making jewelry, then to selling vintage, and now to where I am today. My newest brand Fisherfolk, is the truest to who I am.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Having a small business comes with many challenges. As an artist you just want to create, but there are many aspects that you have to consider when running one. Bookkeeping, taxes, learning if and when you want to scale up. Learning your limits is also hard. I spent years running a wholesale business, making earrings for stores in addition to my own Etsy shop. While that was such a rush at the time, it totally drained me mentally after a few years. Learning to balance making money with doing what you really want be doing is hard. Choosing only retail and one of a kind items is a luxury I am luckily able to afford. Social media is another difficult landscape that is every changing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This year I launched my new brand Fisherfolk Handmade. This is a collection of handmade jewelry and accessories that are all one-of-a-kind. Each piece is made with sterling silver or gold filled components and is meant to be cherished. I repurpose a lot of vintage jewelry and I am constantly scouring flea markets for unique parts and pieces. The brand is inspired by our family matriarch, my late grandmother Diane. She was a creative powerhouse in all aspects of her life. An amazing cook, baker, quilter, and knitter. She was also great at finding a deal and had a house full of timeless decor and antiques. My work is also really inspired by Northern Michigan. Our family built a house there in the 1970s and we have spent every summer exploring Benzie, Manistee, and Grand Traverse Counties. Its my favorite place in the world. During these summers we would fill the dining table with crafts and art projects. Today, I usually have a pile of things I foraged or a case full of seed beads, fitting in beadwork during every free second. All my beadwork is done freehand without the use of a loom. Pieces can take anywhere from 2-40 hours to make depending on scale and complexity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have been blessed with a kind and supportive family who valued creativity. So I would say I am quite fortunate in that regard. I don’t ever take it for granted. Being surrounded by my aunts, grandmother, mom, sisters and their work is a huge blessing.
Pricing:
- Stickers $4-8
- Mini Beaded Bouquets $20-50
- Earrings $50-300
- Necklaces $70-500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FisherfolkHandmade
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fisherfolk.handmade
