Why online a business you ask?   Well for me it is able to offer the flexibility I am after with my two kids, work when I can, wherever I want to (so it depends on the sort of work hobby).  I love to see the world and be able to travel, so an online business where I don’t have to be going to work to open a shop and  I can do my “work”  from wherever I am is ideal for me.

These Days anyone can start their own business with a little or no help from others.  We have a vast amount of helpful tools and websites available on the internet to do that.  All we need is some time…

Kookki Designs is my hobby turned business.  You can visit my Etsy shop for a bit of a look!

My goal was to do something that I had control over while being able to give my time to my family.  I wanted to do something that felt right in my heart to earn some money to support my families growing needs while having enough time to travel and see the world with my kids as well as teach my children the values I believe in.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”-Steve Jobs

A bit a bout my online business

I design and create a wide range of jewellery and accessories for kids, women and men to suit any occasion including weddings. Each piece is made in my home studio in Melbourne, Australia. The range of products I make include cuff-links, earrings,  necklaces, pendants, rings, hair clips.  Each piece is made at my home studio in Melbourne, Australia.

Many of us living in the developed countries have most basic things that humans “NEED” and much much more, I have always treasured the priceless moments in my life are that became beautiful memories later.  With my jewellery I capture one’s memories in the form of a place, a person,  word/s etc.  I get to spend time making this wonderful item for some one special with so much care.  I can be rewarded with knowing that my item can give someone that warm fuzzy feeling called happiness.  Not only giving something special is rewarding for both parties giving and receiving,  it will also mean so much more purely for the fact that the time and effort spent in getting something really unique handmade especially for a loved one.

That is exactly what I love doing with my jewellery where I help people either freeze a moment in their life like a birth of a child, a wedding or to create one of a kind super special gifts for the ones they love. The fact that I am able to let someone feel such a strong feeling like pure happiness or appreciation (by receiving of giving something that no words can convey) is truly a rewarding and emotional privilege.

At Kookki Designs my favourite designs are the one’s I create for someone with much meaning behind it.  Whether it is a special photo of a person or a place or a scan of their kids drawings or a special saying for their husband or wife (to be) or a parent.  These are the ones that I get a real warm fuzzy feeling about my self.  I feel in doing what I do I manage to remind ourselves that we are simple creatures that enjoy simple pleasures of life and if we support each other we can make this world a better place keeping the harmonious balance on this planet.  I take my hats off to the Etsy community that is building in numbers.  Most of the Etsy sellers are following their hearts and using their talent to help them live the lives they believe they should.

By Having my own  Etsy store I get to treat every person that comes to my shop and contact me with love and care with my goal of making the world a happier place (while being able to be an old-school mother to my children).

I love what I am able to do with my jewellery and I sincerely hope I get to make your moments extra special by capturing them in a wearable accessory which will give you a warm fuzzy feeling every time you see them.

“There is an undeniable happiness one can obtain by making someone else happy.  That is what I call rewarding!”- Shani

Here is a guide to starting your very own online business with my experience selling handmade jewellery

This is a tricky bu very important one.  If you already have a hobby that you thoroughly enjoy you already have the answer to this question and you can move on to the next topic!   If not,  you may have to do a bit of soul-searching and lots of lists and make sub lists of things that you could or would love doing to narrow it to one hobby.  I began my quest of  finding my passion/hobby (which I felt was the void I was feeling in my life) once I had my second child (I needed some me time).    So I had to search within for that spark I was after.  Here is how I went about it…

• For handmade items I suggest the online platform of Etsy.  Etsy already has an established customer base all around the world, it is quite different to eBay.  Where people value handmade crafty things and you can sell things for what they are really worth.  My Etsy store was opened in March 2012 when my baby boy was only 5 months old.  And with a lot of work (that is probably another post on its own) I happy to say now I have an online presence.  Don’t take my word for it, there are a lot of people who has quit their day job after opening up successful Etsy businesses.
• You can try eBay/Amazon, these online auction sites are ideal for non handmade items and items that are in demand.  Compared to Etsy, eBay buyers wants a bargain.  So price your items smartly.
• Social media sites like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram etc, you can post your items and see who would like to buy it.

Off-line

• Try your products at local markets, Arts and craft markets, make sure you pick a market to  suit your product.  Don’t go to a flea market to try and sell handmade jewellery at handmade prices.  I made that mistake, and I can tell you it is a waste of time because the people who come to certain types of markets have a certain expectation.  They don’t come to a flea market or a second-hand product market, or a farmers market to buy handmade jewellery.  On the other hand a market specialising in handcrafted goods would be ideal for handmade jewellery