Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Bocardo.
Hi Alejandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ever since I was young, I have always loved collecting stones. I grew up in Arizona surrounded by gorgeous Native American Jewelry, which started my love for turquoise. I began collecting turquoise jewelry and slowly discovered crystals/metaphysical shops that only fueled my love for stones and crystals. As I grew older, I continued to grow my collection and love for jewelry. I left the state and moved to San Antonio, Texas where I solemnly focused on school and work. Life became a bit hectic until Covid put a pause in time. I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home and that is when I decided to buy wire, pliers, and more crystals!
Thanks to the support of my friends and family I have been able to grow my business. Actually, I don’t think I have shared this with anyone, but 3 high school friends made orders as soon as I opened my website. The most amazing part about this is that one was my high school teacher and the other two were two classmates from that same class!
From there I was able to grow my online store and I have sent orders to many states in the USA. Now, I am focused on in-person sales and hope to be able to sell in different states!
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?
I wouldn’t say it has been a bumpy road, but it has been one full of lessons. I have gathered knowledge that I never thought I’d have, and I am so grateful for it. As someone with zero guidance and experience in making jewelry, online sales, building websites, etc., I would say that it is not easy, but fun!
Google and YouTube have been my guides in this experience for sure! The biggest struggle I faced was keeping up with orders while updating socials and websites. From this, I was able to find my style of communication, marketing, and photographing to make this process more efficient.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My jewelry business specializes in crystal and stone wire jewelry. Most of my orders have been custom, meaning that the customer requests (through the website or Instagram dm) the specific crystal/stone they would want as well as the wire type and style. From there I ask some more questions and provide photographs as I make their pieces. Of course, I also sell premade pieces which 99% of the time are also unique since I tend to not make similar pieces.
I am proud to say that I enjoy being challenged with requests from customers. Customers sometimes have ideas that are so different such as tiaras with natural crystals, hair clips, and picture frames! I believe my openness to create definitely sets me apart from other crystal jewelry makers.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising I think would be the fact that no one else in my family or friend group growing up was into crystals. I believe this was the reason why I never spoke about my collection or my love for the metaphysical. My parents would take me to the mall to go to the “rock store,” which up to this day continues to be the best metaphysical shop! Maybe it is the fact that I was able to be my true self with zero judgment.
Years after graduating college, I decided to focus on my love for the metaphysical again. At this point in my life, I had one dog, Mila, (now I have two, Jade) which is the reason for the store’s name. It made perfect sense to me, to bring my two loves together; the metaphysical and my pup. Perhaps I will update the name soon since now I have two pups.
Pricing:
- Weaved Rings $20-$25
- Rings $15-$20
- Necklaces $25-$30
- Pendants $17 -$30
- Earnings $8-$20
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/girlndogcrafts
