Asbury Park Press

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/4/07

NAME: Rose Grossman

AGE: 36

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree and master's degree in the administrative aspect of criminal justice, both from Monmouth University.

HOMETOWN: Ocean Township

EMPLOYER: Self-employed jewelry designer

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR JOB? It was a hobby. I always had a creative side from my mom, and I was looking for ways to have that outlet. I had two little girls, who are now 3 and 5 years old. As a very busy mother working part time, I was looking for a time for me. I would paint and do all these different things, and one day decided that I would make jewelry for myself. The next thing I knew, people wanted to buy the jewelry. It started growing very quickly, so I decided, with my legal background, to form my own business, Frostings By Rose. It was about a year and a half ago and it just quickly grew.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE?: It's when I have time to do the jewelry. I try to make time every couple of days, because I enjoy it. It takes a lot of patience and detail, but that is part of my personality, so it worked out well for me.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE?: A lot of my jewelry is one of a kind. Anything I find that is unique, I have been adding to the line. It's 80 percent jewelry, and there's a little bit more so there is something for everyone, in case jewelry isn't their thing. I have shell handbags made from real shells. I sell bookmarks, cell phone charms, brass wire menorahs, rosary beads, a whole line of earrings, charm bracelets and I crochet necklaces with metallic wire.

I am inspired by my surroundings, and most of my surroundings are my kids. They're both in ballet and dance, so I have a whole line with ballet and dance. I also have a tooth fairy bracelet, so every time a child loses a tooth, they click on a freshwater pearl. It's a little gift and and incentive and fun. I use Swarovski crystals and pick out the colors that they like. I also place an initialed sterling silver jewelry tag on every piece of jewelry I make.

WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTS?: Mainly friends and family. From there, word spread and then I was asked to participate in boutique shows. I was then asked to donate jewelry, so I have made several donations to schools and auctions and my name got out through that. I also did a lot of holiday shows. I also have jewelry parties; I started out by having my own, and then people took interest.

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR JEWELRY OUT: I make appointments and I have jewelry parties. This past Mother's Day, I got three calls from different husbands who said their wives wanted my jewelry. They came over at the last minute, they didn't need to go into a store, and we picked and designed. It is a very easy process. They do not need to worry about shopping and parking and crowds. It is very customized; people have said "This is the personality of my daughter-in-law, can you come up with something?" And I do.

ARE THERE BOUTIQUES IN THE AREA THAT SELL YOUR JEWELRY?: Not right now, only because my experience so far with boutiques is that they want 50 percent, which is fine, but I try to keep my prices reasonable so that it's a win-win situation for everybody. By putting my jewelry in a boutique, they would double the price, and they also want exclusive rights.

If someone comes to me and wants to buy one of my cha-cha rings, I want to be able to sell it to them as the designer, and I kind of felt like it was my design, my ideas, yet they are making the money and getting the rights, so I just had a hard time with that. If anything, in the very near future, I am probably going to open a store.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?: Definitely the creative side. I can go on vacation and just get inspired by a location or by a bead. I can wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and draw it real fast and plan to make it. It gives me peace and serenity. It really gives me a relaxed feeling to sit and be able to do this.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?: Because of my busy lifestyle, I don't have as much time as I'd like with the business. I'm anticipating in the future, once the kids gets into school all day, that I will have a little bit more time.

It's also sometimes difficult because right now, I have a store out of my home, and there are positives and negatives with that. I do things very professionally, but it is out my home, and you don't have the exposure that you would have with a store. But, I also don't have the overhead cost of running a store and I have flexibility.

SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER PEOPLE CONSIDERING THIS KIND OF WORK: It takes a certain kind of personality. If you are detail-oriented, creative and have patience, then I would suggest giving it a shot. If it's something that you are really interested in, it is a really nice outlet. I don't do this for money; if I make some money, then that's a bonus. It's really just because I am thrilled to make things and make people happy. I get calls and thank-you notes all the time. Its almost like it is a gift that gives back, and yet it's a business.