If you're a long-time customer, or just starting your CONQUERing collection, you've probably noticed that a key component of our brand is empowerment. We are dedicated to uplifting others and encouraging people to be the best they can possibly be.
Part of CONQUERing's commitment to empowerment is working with other women-owned, small jewelry brands to raise awareness to the amazing talent that's out there. One of the ways we accomplish this is through jewelry collabs.
We've collaborated with artists, SuperFans, and Content Creators. One area we love continuing to grow is with the artists that create our limited edition Vessel Collections.
What are Vessel Collections?
Vessel Collections are comprised of unique, handmade elements. A large number of the vessel elements utilize small, natural elements to create beautiful designs.
Vessel Collections usually consist of:
- A theme (usually nature-themed)
- Slight variations in design
- Collaboration with other small jewelry brands
We've also worked with college students that are aspiring jewelry creators to help them get experience and sell their work before they've even graduated.
The themes of the different collections typically have sentimental meanings. We've done beach-themed Vessel Collections that represent our consumers' happy places. We've done pressed flower Vessel Collections where the different flowers hold special meanings for the people that will purchase them.
Through the years, we've worked with so many amazing different creators on these collections. We are blown away by the sheer talent each jewelry creator possesses.
For this post, we wanted to focus on two of the creators we've worked with on a number of collections: Chelsey from Complementary Shop and Jen at FoundKept.
Meet Chelsey from Complementary Shop
Chelsey is the first jewelry creator we worked with on a Vessel Collection. Chelsey saw a few of our videos on TikTok and became familiar with our brand. One of her friends noticed that Tammy, our founder and CEO, was looking for a resin artist to collaborate with. Her friend tagged Chelsey in every single CONQUERing video, in addition to messaging Tammy directly. Thus, the very first Vessel Collection was born.
Chelsey creates handcrafted jewelry that is meant to fit a person's individual style. We asked her to describe her brand in one word, she said, "I know, it sounds so cliché but really, it's complementary." The whole point of Chelsey's jewelry, and where she draws her inspiration from, is to complement the person wearing it. She believes that your jewelry should work with the rest of your style as a form of self-expression.
"I have always felt that jewelry is an adornment for the most important subject and that's YOU. You could have 2 people wear the exact same outfit but it's the accessories and the jewelry that really tell the story and convey your own personal style. To me, jewelry is complementary to you."
Her CONQUERing Vessel Collections truly embody that. From delicate designs to personalized initials, the Complementary Shop collabs always work to complement the wearer.
Chelsey's Favorite Types of Jewelry
We also wanted to know what Chelsey's favorite types of jewelry are. First, we asked her if she has a favorite type of jewelry to make. She said, "The overall answer here is CONQUERing elements! However, as more detailed answer, I am having the best possible time creating these little worlds inside the Deep Dish bezels."
Chelsey is incredibly talented at creating little worlds with her Vessel Collections. Each collection she's created with us is completely unique and tells a story about the person who chooses to wear it. She also takes custom requests to make jewelry that is solely meaningful to you. Learn more about submitting custom requests here!
We also wanted to know if Chelsey had any favorite Vessel Collections she's worked on, and if she has any CONQUERing faves in general. See Chelsey's fidget jewelry choices below:
| Apothecary | CrownCut Ring | Octangle | EmpowHER | AuraDel Necklace |
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Stay on the lookout for a new Vessel Collection from Complementary Shop coming soon!
Meet Jen from FoundKept
Jen from FoundKept also has a long-standing history with CONQUERing. We found Jen's Etsy store and reached out to see if she would be interested in doing a collab with us. She took a look at our website and was sold. Thus, a brand-new collaboration with another small jewelry creator was born.
Jen makes handcrafted, nature-themed jewelry. She specializes in creating jewelry with pressed flowers—which is what a lot of her Vessel Collections consist of. We asked her to describe her brand in one word. She said, "I think it would be whimsical. I'm so torn between maximalism and minimalism, so my style shifts between large, bold pieces and dainty, delicate ones...I think the common thread, though, is whimsy." FoundKept truly has a whimsical spirit. From small studs, to bold statement pieces, you're guaranteed to find something that suits your personal style on Jen's Etsy store.
Jen's CONQUERing Vessel Collections share the same sentiment. You can find subtle, delicate elements or bold, daring elements. We are confident that you will quickly fall in love with Jen's stunning jewelry.
Jen's Favorite Types of Jewelry
We also wanted to learn more about Jen's favorite types of jewelry. She had a few different favorites that she shared, but clarified that the most important pieces of jewelry for her are ones that are meaningful to other people.
"People often share stories with me of celebration or sadness in connection with the jewelry they're purchasing, and I'm so honored to get to be a space for them to set their story for a little while and grateful also to connect with them. I hold a lot of those stories close to me."
That largely contributes to why she decided to use hand-pressed flowers in a lot of her jewelry. Flowers are typically very sentimental for people. From a flower that was included in a wedding bouquet to a flower that was the favorite of someone who passed, they serve as a reminder for all of the important people and moments in our lives. It is truly special what Jen has created with FoundKept—she has a chance to make people feel heard while giving them a way to carry their most cherished memories with them at all times.
We also wanted to know if Jen had any favorite Vessel Collections she's worked on, and if she has any CONQUERing faves in general. See Jen's fidget jewelry choices below:
| Mini Bouquet | AuraDel Bracelet | AuraDel Necklace | Willow Band | Peridot |
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Stay on the lookout for new Vessel Collections from FoundKept coming soon!
Advice on Starting Your Own Small Jewelry Business
One of the unique aspects of being a small jewelry business, and collaborating with other small jewelry businesses, is the wonderful community you build. We are all dedicated to uplifting one another and working together to make truly amazing products.
We got to learn more about how Chelsey and Jen started their businesses, and asked if they had any advice for our readers looking to start their own jewelry business.
Complementary Shop and FoundKept both were born from experimentation. Chelsey was gifted a UV Resin Kit from her husband and had the time of her life making jewelry for a Halloween costume. Jen started collecting little pieces of nature when she would go on walks in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Around the same time, she was also beginning to experiment with resin. She started to experiment by pressing the leaves and flowers she found on her nature walks and using the resin to make beautiful jewelry.
Neither creator had a dream of being a small business owner. They had many other experiences that led them to decide to start their own small jewelry businesses. All to say, you don't need to have a life-long dream to run your own business. Sometimes, inspiration sparks and you find a new passion in life that you're able to turn into a career.
When asked if they had any advice for our readers that are thinking of starting their own business, they shared the below advice:
- Do what you know. Chelsey emphasized the importance of figuring out what you love and doing what you know. The rest will follow.
- Learn the basics. Jen shared—what she described as controversial—to start your own business once you know the basics. All you need is a product and a business model, you can work to master other skills that can make your business successful later.
- Keep it authentic. Chelsey also shared that when you are creating something you love, you'll naturally find the audience for your product. People resonate with authenticity and will want to support your small business if they can tell you genuinely put your heart and soul into its creation.
- Stay learning. Jen also asserted that there is going to be more to learn. She learned what equipment to use and techniques to employ to shoot professional photographs of her products on her own. You will always be finding ways to improve your processes and learning new ways to conduct your business.
Support Small Jewelry Businesses
Supporting small businesses is so incredibly important. For many people, like Chelsey and Jen, this is both their passion and livelihood. You're more likely to get great customer service and have a personalized experience when you shop from small businesses.
If you're looking for more Vessel Collections to shop, the first element in the Encapture™ Vessel Collection just launched! This collection is inspired by our popular limited-edition artist-made Vessel Collections. It's our way of bringing the magic of this style to more people than ever. These pieces are crafted by our trusted manufacturing partner to capture tiny treasures within a glass-like finish. Whether it's a natural botanical, a meaningful symbol, or crystal confetti, each Encapture™ Element feels like a tiny moment, perfectly preserved and easier than ever to collect.
Feeling inspired by our Vessel artists? You can do it too! Our DIY kits and bezels let you preserve your own meaningful materials in a beautiful lasting way—perfect for creative souls ready to try their hand at something special. Check out our DIY Collection here.
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