Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Bollettiero.
Hi Kristen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My name is Kristen Bollettiero 🙂 I am the founder, owner, and jewelry designer @ Golden Zen Boutique. All creations are handmade by me in my home office in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
I have considered myself an artist since the age of 5 – Spending time creating sculptures of clay, drawing, painting, and of course my favorite medium of all – creating jewelry! I began crafting when I was quite young. Furthermore, I would sit at my kitchen table for hours on end creating matching bracelets for my mother and I out of little plastic multicolor beads and stretch string. Sometimes my mother would bring me home blown glass beads and findings and I would have a field day!
My dad has always been my main inspiration – a professional jewelry of over 30 years. He would craft the most beautiful jewelry and I became infatuated with his processes. He worked with Home Shopping Network jewelry, buying wholesale pallets of leftover & damaged pieces which he would repair and resell. My dad was a master of jewelry repair at his business for years, where I spent every day as a child. My mother was the salesperson, who I deeply admire for her charm and incredible temperament with customers – she always knew how to make everyone feel like family. with her training, at age 5, I could run the cash register and give change to customers. Soon I became their best salesperson when I came of age 🙂 I believe that I have learned from the very best – between my mother and father -and feel so grateful to have lived the experiences I have. I now have the joy of translating everything they have showed me into my very own business with confidence.
Today, with the passed down knowledge of my family, I take pride in creating a wide variety of dangle & stud earrings, long & short necklaces, beaded bracelets, and wire wrapped jewelry. I love to incorporate natural gemstones! A few of my favorites include, although are not limited to: Larimar from the Dominican Republic, Amazonite from the Amazon River in Brazil, USA Arizona Turquoise, Rose Quartz & Druzy Crystals of all colors and shapes. Many of my pieces include shells like Heart Cockle & Calico Scallop Shells hand-selected by me from Grand Strand Beaches. I love to use the gold leaf technique to give these shells some golden sparkle & shine. I believe it takes the beauty of God-given nature and elevates the look! Furthermore, I also enjoy creating resin pour jewelry made with wildflowers, shells, and gems followed by a bezel setting process into earrings and necklaces. All of my jewelry is made hypoallergenic – free from any irritants such as lead, cadmium & and nickel.
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?
Like any business owner, we all have challenges we face although we overcome them because we love what we do! Hurdles excite me because I love turning adversity into opportunity to learn and improve.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Golden Zen Boutique is known for its unique and fashion-forward, hypoallergenic, handcrafted jewelry at great prices & our Jewelry made for sensitive skin (free of any lead & nickel). Hypoallergenic jewelry has always been at the utmost importance to me because I also have sensitive skin.
I am proud to have been in business since 2016, supplying not only the grand strand but also North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida with handmade treasures.
I receive constant compliments on our inviting, vibrant, visual experience of our pop-up shop booth – full of lush greenery, earthy wood displays, and color-coordinated organization. I am proud to be able to supply gorgeous jewelry that helps the women that wear it feel beautiful.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I absolutely love listening to audiobooks while I make jewelry, workout, drive, etc. A few of my favorite books that help me stay focus, inspired, and striving to be my best are:
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The Secret by Rhonda Bryne
Millionaire Fastlane by MJ Demarco
Get Smart by Brian Tracy
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Pricing:
- $10 Handcrafted Hypoallergenic Earrings
- $10 Gemstone Bracelets
Contact Info:
- Email: goldenzenboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenzenboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenzenboutique/
