6 minute read
Cuffed by Fantasy - with artisan Mandy Roncalio-Meyer
Cuffed by Fantasy
From hobbyist to housewife to hot commodity, Amanda Roncalio-Meyer has parlayed her love of all things elven into a thriving business —
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How did you first get into wire artistry?
Well, when I was about 12-14 years old, I remember looking through a copy of the Pyramid Collection catalog and seeing a sterling silver earcuff and thinking to myself, "Wow, I love that, and can’t afford it… but that looks like something I could make for myself!" My grandma and mom are both crafters, and I used to go to craft fairs with my mom, so I had a little experience making and selling homemade items. Plus I, of course, inherited the crafting hobby. Once I told my mom that I had found something I wanted to make, she immediately bought me my first craft wire, and I started making a few simple earcuffs (like the ones I just released in my shop recently) to sell at her craft fair booths.
How long ago did you go full-time?
In my adult/parent life, crafts have been something I've wanted to do, something to contribute to the household funds while keeping me sane, but unfortunately, I wasn't very motivated, nor did I have much time for extra-curricular hobbies. One day last year (in March or early April, I think), I found some of my old craft wire and was inspired to create elfshaped earcuffs for myself. As soon as I posted the pictures of my project on my personal Facebook page, my friends immediately started asking me where I had bought them, and, once I told them I had personally made them, they began asking if they could purchase some from me. Therefore, Fantasy Earcuffs by Mandy (originally Elf Earcuffs by Mandy) was born! This is how I picture myself looking, when donning a pair of Mandy’s Fantasy Earcuffs
And what made you take the leap to starting your own business?
I guess, in the beginning, I never really intended to start my own business. my Elf Earcuffs started as a self-project, and I had SUCH AMAZINGLY AWESOME positive feedback on my private set that I HAD to start making these to sell! Plus, being a stay-athome mom, I needed to find an income source to help out with the house-hold funds. I felt like such a bump-on-the-log before I started Fantasy Earcuffs by Mandy! The fact that I can get my crafting-addiction out as well as add to the house-hold funds is UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME!!!
From whence do you derive inspiration for your designs?
FANTASY!!! My original Elf Earcuffs were inspired by both my favorite graphic novel series, ElfQuest (which I’ll talk about a little later in the interview), as well as my all-time favorite pixie, Tinkerbell, which was my nickname with my grandma (who was EXTREMELY important to me, growing up). I even had Peter Pan and Tink as my imaginary friends as a kiddo! For any other styles, I look to fantasy art and other different fae creatures. I am ALWAYS looking for new inspiration for different styles and designs, so if anyone has an idea for a design, CONTACT ME!!
Are there any designs you've been dying to tackle that appear too daunting at present?
There are too many to list!! i'm constantly thinking of new designs, but between the current orders and being a mommy to a 3 yearold, it's tough finding time to make new designs! I currently would LOVE to make something more Dragon-like, and something that resembles leaves, though I've also had people request that I start a cat-like or horselike ear design... I think that would also mean making a more headband-like style, which is intimidating to me... as well as my Dryad design, which, of course, I'm planning on making very tree-like. I have half of a prototype ready, but I'm not happy with it yet... In any case, I have LOTS of ideas for future items!!
What sorts of customers do you attract most?
It seems that I attract more women, around the age of 16-40, though I would LOVE to make a more masculine designs. I'm having troubles with that one, seeing as I'm female and don't have much taste in masculine designs. If anyone would like to contribute a solution to this problem, I can promise them a free set of earcuffs for their design/suggestion if I decide on it!
What has been the most gratifying aspect of your business?
FINALLY finding a hobby/craft that others love enough for me to start my own business! it's always been a dream of mine to be able to make and sell something that people love, so Fantasy Earcuffs by Mandy has been an absolute Dream Come True for me! I love hearing compliments on my designs and ideas for new items, so I am ALWAYS open to suggestions!! I love reading both the feedback on my Etsy shop and the suggestions/ comments section that I provide as an entry to my giveaways. They’re both very helpful!
What about the most challenging?
Actually, keeping up with orders is my biggest challenge. I never intended for Fantasy Earcuffs by Mandy to be so popular, and the fact that it is has kept me VERY busy. In fact, I have SEVERAL orders I need to do now! i'm totally shocked that I have to have a 2-4 week waiting period on EVERY order. I seriously NEVER thought my designs would be this popular. So I’d have to say that keeping up with orders while still designing new items is my biggest challenge, all while being a good mommy to my 3 year-old boogie-girl!!
What can we look forward to as Fantasy Earcuffs by Mandy grows and evolves?
What sorts of fantasy genres are you most a fan of?
I absolutely LOVE elves, fairies, and dragons, but I also love just about anything Fantasy! my biggest influence growing up, in both life and art, was ElfQuest. It was started by an independent husband-wife publishing team, and not-only have the stories touched my heart so deeply that my life has been dramatically altered by reading them, but the fact that it was independently started by a husband-wife team showed me that you can truly do ANYTHING if you only put your mind to it!! They have changed my lifestyle, my way of thinking, and my view on art from a VERY early age, and I have always been extremely appreciative of it! ElfQuest has definitely made me more open to other ideals and feelings, and I am convinced that I am a MUCH better person for reading the series!! The entire series is available to read online for free here.
I am also a HUGE fan of the Vampire, Werewolf, and Zombie genres, though please don't mention Twilight to me... The ONLY good part of those movies is the tree-climbing scene in the very first movie! VAMPIRES ~DO NOT~ SPARKLE!
A LOT of new items, designs, and options, and hopefully faster shipping times. I've been trying REALLY hard to bring quality gemstones as an option to my shop; I've had a LOT of requests for them! I'm hoping to continue bringing out more fantasy-themed designs, based on both my follower's input and my own creativity! Hopefully pendants, bracelets, and more made to match my earcuff designs will be also in the semi-near future!
