Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses

April 2004's Diva
C. Ruth Blohm-Hunter
of Soleil Noir Designs

The relationship between jewelery and females is a very special - and even sacred at times. Nothing is better than finding a piece that truly reflects your personality or mood for the day. C. Ruth Blohm-Hunter has created exceptional pieces that are unique, intriguing, and great conversation pieces. We had to find out more about this Crafty Diva!

Update June 2004:
What better way to find out more about a Crafty Diva than to meet her in person?? That's just what I had to do over the holiday weekend when I found myself in Ruth's town. Sure - I learned a lot in our interview - but what is she like in person??

We met for lunch (it is ALL about the food!!), generally hung out and explored bits of her town together. (And yes - that included stops to the Parlour for ice-cream on more than one occasion! LOL) If she's half as talented as she is funny (and she is more) - she will go far! Ruth is just so FUN! I had a great time and am looking forward to seeing her again.

It is just so great to know that we are working with some GREAT women out there!!

~Trixie

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The Gallery
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The Interview
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The Basic Lowdown:

Girlposse.com: Who are you?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : C. Ruth Blohm-Hunter, it's a mouthful so you can just call me Ruth. I am a full-time artist whose main focus is on jewelry design.

Girlposse.com: Where are you located?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : South Central Michigan (You know, the one shaped like a mitten. This is the point at which I would usually point out my location on the palm of my hand.) about an hour west of Metro Detroit.

Girlposse.com: What is your creation / business?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I am the proprietress of Soleil Noir Designs, where I offer my original jewelry creations.

Girlposse.com: Where can people buy your stuff?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : The best place to find my pieces is my website ~ www.soleilnoirdesigns.com. I also donate many of my pieces to charity auctions and various organizations.

Girlposse.com: Tell us something about yourself - your personality:
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I've been told that I have an amazing sense of humor and a quick wit. When it comes to my work, however, I am extremely serious. I am a perfectionist in every sense of the word when it comes to my pieces. Each piece I design is a personal reflection on me and I work very hard to make sure that everything I create is of the highest quality.

The Nitty Gritty:

Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I have been creating since I was a very young child. I designed my first actual piece of jewelry at age 12 and while it is a bit outdated it is still in my personal collection. I started Soleil Noir Designs in August of 2003 at the urging of several of my friends who thought I should offer my pieces to the world.

Girlposse.com: Beginning a business is a big step. How did this become a "business" vs. just a "hobby""?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I had always wanted to take advantage of my creativity, but kept finding myself stuck in office jobs where, in some cases, my creativity was a liability rather than an asset. After being downsized a year and a half ago, I became obsessive about making jewelry. I would work for hours and hours on it until I had so much that I was running out of places to keep it all. Still, I didn't have the confidence to try and sell any of it. After nearly a year of having necklaces and bracelets hanging from every hook and doorknob in my house I decided to give it a go. It's had its ups and downs, but I have no regrets.

Girlposse.com: Did you have previous business experience - or was the business end new to you?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I didn't have any business experience in the traditional sense, but I had learned a lot from previous jobs and I put that knowledge to use in my own business practices.

Girlposse.com: Are there any resources you would recommend to future Entrepreneurial Empresses? (books, websites, etc.)
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : Honestly, I bought several books on e-commerce and small business ownership and they are currently collecting dust in my library. I never read any of them. I have always had a rather unconventional way of doing things and it has been my experience that the best education comes from doing. I have learned an amazing amount since starting my business 8 months ago and I am still learning new things everyday.

Girlposse.com: What is your opinion of Arts / Crafts shows as a place to sell? As a place to shop?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I have yet to participate in any art fairs, although it is certainly something I would love to do in the future. I think they are a wonderful place to shop and see the fabulous work of other artists.

Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : The biggest hurdle in the initial stages of starting my business was confidence. I had a difficult time believing that people would actually want my pieces. My first few sales allayed that fear a bit, but it is still something I wrestle with on occasion.

Girlposse.com: Do you find it difficult coming up with original ideas?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : Creativity and inspiration are illusive beasts. I tend to go to extremes when it comes to creativity. There are times when I suddenly find myself working on new pieces for upwards of ten or more hours a day. Then, as quickly as the inspiration came, it disappears…the well runs dry. Those are the times I find most difficult, but I have found that pushing myself to create is counterproductive so I do my best to wait it out. I would much rather create pieces born out of inspiration than boredom.

Girlposse.com: Are there any plans to expand your product line?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I recently began working on some fun new non-jewelry items such as bookmarks and magnets. I am also working on designing jewelry boxes to house your Soleil Noir treasures.

Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : Caffeine and chocolate! Seriously though, my goal first and foremost is to please my clients. On days when I would rather do anything but work I just remember my commitment to my wonderful customers and that keeps me going.

Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I am a total shopaholic and I am constantly looking for things that are fun and unique. Whenever I need a break from working, I visit the sites listed on my links page (http://www.soleilnoirdesigns.com) and shop my little heart out.

Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I would have to say that some of the best advice I've been given is to not take criticism too personally and to accept that not everyone is going to like my work. When I first started out I was judged very harshly by some people. It was hard not to take it personally, but I have realized that there are a lot of people out there who do like my work. So, I try to focus on that.

Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : My best piece of advice would be - treat your customers the way you would treat your friends. The best advertising is word of mouth and the effort you put into making your customers happy will come back to you tenfold.

Girlposse.com: Are they any other Crafty Divas or Entrepreneurial Empresses we should know about?
Ruth of Soleil Noir Designs: : I am fortunate enough to know several very talented women, one of whom, I have had the great pleasure of working very closely with over the past couple of months. Her name is Heather Partch and she is the creative spirit behind bella you. (http://heather.partch.us/bellayou/bellayou.htm). Her site will be launching very soon so keep an eye out for all of her wonderfully whimsical creations.

~April 2004

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Your Chance to Win!
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This month, Soleil Noir Designs is giving you a chance to win this beautiful bracelet!


Visit our Contests area for details and to enter.


Contest ends APril 30, 2004. Good luck!

Contest has ended! Congrats goes to Cheryl F. from Indiana!!

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Be sure to check out our NEW
2004 Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses Holiday Specials

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