Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Capperauld.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started making jewelry in high school as a way to raise funds for my school’s art club. However, during my senior year, COVID hit, and unfortunately, all of my jewelry supplies were on campus due to it being club supplies.
I then decided to take a break from it and focus on school. However, at my second job about 2 years later, I found myself going back to making jewelry by buying all the supplies. At that point in my life, my stress was so unmanageable. My job at the time was so exhausting and toxic that I needed something to keep myself sane.
So I looked into seller’s permits, charms, hooks, and more. It was also around this time that I found out that I was allergic to certain metals. So, I went to the store to get ideas of what other hypoallergenic earrings sold for. I saw the prices and realized that I wanted to make affordable hypoallergenic jewelry that anyone can wear.
That’s how HotTeaCo was formed. The play on words of the word Hottie because I wanted to create something that people would think is about self love, whimsy, and also just fun and bold just like my pieces! During my second job, they wanted me to quit school and continue working for them, so having my outlet was my saving grace. Finally, I realized I wanted to go back to school and quit, and transferred to another job. There, I finished my degree in Journalism in community college while also promoting my business with fellow students.
I have also been featured in a local small business called Artisan Peacock in the Streets of Brentwood, and have my first ever busy holiday season! Which I am extremely excited to do all of the upcoming markets.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Truthfully, if I said it was a smooth road, it would have given many people false hope. When I first started, I was on Etsy, and unfortunately, it has become a space that isn’t for small business owners anymore. When I stumbled upon Artisan Peacock, I had only had my business for 2 years and had done 2 markets total.
So being in a retail space was very different for me. But, with most things, it was hard to know if I would make it work. Some months, the commissions were slow, and things wouldn’t sell, which made me so anxious. But I kept going by just continuing to create.
I then released: Ear Cuffs, Hair Cuffs, Arm Cuffs, Earrings, Greek God-inspired bracelets, and way more. I kept going. Some days it was hard because it does make many unmotivated, but when you go out in public and see others wearing your work, it makes it worth it.
My earrings and bracelets are sadly no longer in Artisan Peacock, but my Ear Cuffs are still featured, and I am currently planning on making a lot more. Although creative blocks are kind of making it hard, I’m currently testing out some new styles, but, excited for the future.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for my Ear Cuffs and Greek god-inspired bracelets. I started creating the Ear Cuffs as something for those who don’t have their ears pierced. It goes over the ear and hooks on and has chains that hang down from it. Mine come in many different styles and have been an adventure to figure out what people enjoy. Plus they are one size fits all so anyone can wear them!
As for my Greek god-inspired bracelets, they come in 8 different styles and are continuing to grow. I created them using crackle beads, wire, and nickel-free chain so they are adjustable and are my absolute favourite to create. I was inspired by my love of mythology and realised, when looking for beads, that these had a similar feeling to the Greek gods and decided to create them.
So many people get excited when they see my Ear Cuffs or my Bracelets. I can see the excitement on their faces each market, and in my town, my Ear Cuffs are now well known. Especially as they are a unique style that I design myself; my main ones are inspired by Lillies of the Valley.
I can also make all different styles, and have them available in gold coating, silver coating, and rose gold coating. They are also perfect for anyone who doesn’t have their ears pierced. And I also create pieces that are for people who don’t have their ears pierced too by adding clip-ons.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Personally, my twin sister and I have both been extremely crafty since we were young. My favorite memory is doing arts and crafts with her and prepping for our farmer’s market with the club. She would normally paint at the kitchen table while I would sit there and make jewelry. She is now about to become a graphic designer, and I am so proud of her.
One of our biggest markets, she helped me by driving me to all the different craft stores and helping me get supplies, then sat with me because she wanted to learn how to make jewelry with me. We managed to make about 10 pairs, which was a lot for our school’s fundraiser. That Saturday, I managed to sell out of almost all of them but two pairs and managed to fundraise 56 dollars for our club with my jewelry alone. Those markets allowed me to know what price range is affordable for my audience.
I learned a lot from being there by seeing what people really were drawn to, and truthfully, it has helped me a lot down the road when I officially became a small business owner.
Pricing:
- Earrings: $12-$15 (Depends on Size)
- Ear Cuffs: 1 for $14 2 for $24
- Bracelets: $22 (more time consuming)
- Hair Cuffs: $15
- Arm Cuffs: $10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hotteco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hottea_co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563474010098
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hottea_co
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hottea_co
