Meet Chrissy from KITE Jewels (@kitejewels). Chrissy founded KITE in 2016 out of need for a creative outlet during her parental leave. Over the years, KITE grew alongside her metalsmithing skills and customer demands. Chrissy is inspired by the endless possibilities in jewelry design and believes jewelry is more than shiny objects- they hold memories and tell stories.
Chrissy is often asked the meaning behind the name "Kite". To many, the kite represents freedom, joy, good luck and the ability to reach higher. She feels your jewelry should give you that same sense of freedom and joy to express your true self.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how it influenced your entrepreneurial journey?
Growing up, I was heavily into the arts: I was always crafting, loved drawing and painting, took film photography in high school and completed a piano performance diploma. I always saw the world through a creative lens. I started my career as a science teacher where I loved implementing my creativity in the classroom to enhance my lessons. During my parental leave in 2015, I needed a creative outlet and started making and selling jewelry on Etsy. I then took a silversmithing course and have since continued to develop my metalsmithing skills alongside customer demands. It all began as a hobby and something I did for fun but I quickly realized I loved the design process and working with my hands. More recently, as KITE has grown, I have spent more time in a design role and often take inspiration from nature and functional art.
How has your creativity evolved over the years?
Being a small business owner requires me to use my creativity everyday and I love that about my job. My scope of work includes everything from designing jewelry, creative direction, photography to copywriting and all of it requires me to apply my creativity.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
I find that creativity comes in waves and it's not a constant flow. With the constant demands of the business, sometimes I have periods of time when I feel like my "well" of creativity has dried up. The pressure to constantly present new ideas to an audience is mentally exhausting and requires a certain amount of bravery. When this happens, I allow myself to recharge and pull back because I realize that I am an artist - a human being that brings visions to life.
The other challenge I face is staying true to my creative journey and finding a balance between isolation and inspiration. I believe that a lot of introspection is required to create from an authentic place. It is nice to be able to see and be inspired by other people's work and art but I find that it can cloud your own perspective. Being present online is required to be relevant today and I think it's important not to cling too tightly to trends or to compare your work with others'.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you began to truly embrace self-love?
Growing up as a first generation Chinese Canadian, I was made aware that I was different from my peers very early on. As I grew up, I learned to embrace the things about me that are different and have always been drawn to individuality and nonconformity. I have realized leaning into the things that make each of us unique is our own superpower. Motherhood has been pivotal in my self-love journey- I decided I needed to love and accept myself completely so I could be the best parent for my own children. It is an ongoing journey that I continually work on but I find strength in knowing that there is someone else who needs me to be the best version of myself, even on days when I don't feel my best.
What practices or routines help you maintain self-love daily?
In order to be the best version of myself, I try to maintain self-care routines that include exercise, limiting my time on social media, spending time outdoors and listening to music. I also make a conscious effort to look and feel pulled together with an outfit and accessories that make me feel my best because it sets the tone for the day and as a result am more productive.
Can you share a specific affirmation that has been particularly powerful for you and why?
I believe in the power of our thoughts and manifestation. Entrepreneurship is difficult and if it weren't for my own radical belief in myself and my art, I wouldn't have come as far as I have. I still have so far to go and for some people it may seem overwhelming, and sometimes it is, but I make a conscious effort to think positively and say "If I can imagine it, I can do it". There is nothing more exciting and challenging than being an entrepreneur and I hope to never stop having goals to aspire to.
What advice would you give to someone struggling with self-love in their creative journey?
It's important not to measure success by the standards of others. Do what feels good to you and follow your intuition wherever it may lead. Growth is painful and if things seem hard, you know you're on the right path.
Chrissy wears the I AM BEAUTIFUL Blouse in Black Tencel Twill and the I AM GROUNDED Pants in Black Linen Twill.
Photography by Jo Concetta (@rallentarefilm)
Visit Kite Jewels at kitejewels.com.