Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Marchetti.
Cara, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have always enjoyed being able to create with my hands, and jewelry has been an excellent outlet to satisfy that craving. When I was young, I learned the basics of beading by flipping through craft books. As I was searching for my first part time job, a bead shop opened up in my hometown. I worked there for ten years throughout high school and college. During that time, I refined my skills and learned a lot about semi-precious gemstones while designing jewelry for the storefront and teaching workshops. My own business, Carefilledcrafts, was born in 2014. I was in graduate school getting my masters in Speech Language Pathology and needed a source of income that could be flexible around my busy schedule. I opened up an Etsy shop and started attending local markets and festivals. Carefilledcrafts is a play off my own name. Those who know me well will often call me Care, short for Cara. I like to think that each design I create reflects a little piece of myself.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I soak in inspiration everywhere I go, from patterns in nature to color combinations across all mediums of art. My pieces always contain semi-precious gemstones and high-quality metals; however, I do not restrict myself to a specific style. In fact, it is actually quite the opposite. I am always trying to challenge my boundaries and learn new methods. My favorite way to do that is by working with customers to design personalized gifts or wedding jewelry tailored to their specific needs. Ironically, I myself do not wear jewelry that often. However, I love the feeling I get when my work brings a smile to the faces of my friends and family, who are my biggest supporters! Like many other small businesses, I hope that my work spreads an essence of community by allowing people to shop locally at an affordable price without compromising quality.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
To the other artists who are out there doing their thing: never doubt yourself! The only regret I have is passing up on opportunities for fear of falling short of success. For me personally, one of the most rewarding aspects of starting my own business was joining a community of other small businesses who are going through the same process and are rooting for your success. Everyone I have met has been so inspirational, which has led me to keep moving forward. It isn’t always easy to find the time or energy, especially because I have a full-time career in an entirely different field of work. However, my business brings a different kind of passion to my life and I need that creative outlet to thrive. So, my best advice would be to never give up on the things that make you happy and don’t be afraid of failure. Even if something does not turn out the way you planned it is always a learning experience that makes you grow as a person and artist.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Jewelry lovers can find my work on Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/carefilledcrafts) or in several local stores throughout Massachusetts. These currently include Noa Gifts of Concord, FACETSetc of Groton, Hourglass Gift Gallery of Melrose, and The Artful Heart of Arlington. I also continue to attend festivals and farmers markets in the greater Boston area. Beyond making a purchase, social media is also a great way to support artists. Sometimes a follow, like or share can be just as supportive and meaningful. You can find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/carefilledcrafts, Instagram: @carefilledcrafts, and Pinterest: Carefilledcrafts, where I share photos of my latest designs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/carefilledcrafts
- Email: caramarchetti@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Carefilledcrafts
- Facebook: facebook.com/carefilledcrafts
Image Credit:
Cara Marchetti
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