Katherine Alexandra Brunacci Jewelery brings to you a selection of alluring one-of-a-kind jewels. Each piece is hand carved in wax, then cast in silver using the lost wax casting method. No molds are used, so all jewels are unique. Each piece carries with it a journey, an evocative treasure waiting to be discovered.

All jewelery is handmade in Katherine’s London based studio.

Katherine launched her first collection in 2010 shortly after completing her Master of Fine Arts degree, majoring in Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Since launching her label “Katherine Alexandra Brunacci,” Katherine has won two international design awards from Milan. Some of her work reminds us of Ora Nicole Jewelry.

What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?

I wanted to create jewelery that I wanted to buy; big, solid, sterling silver statement pieces. I felt there was a gap in my local market.

I have a unique design aesthetic, am fiercely independent, and wanted to create my own look without restriction. The year I finished my Masters degree, the opportunity presented itself for a studio and small retail outlet in my local town. So I bit the bullet and went for it.

Tell us about your business.

Katherine Alexandra Brunacci jewelry is a luxury jewelry label offering hand crafted bespoke jewels. Most of the pieces are one of a kind. I design and manufacture all of the jewelry.

List awards/certifications/accomplishments.

3 X A’ Design award winner 2011, 2012, 2017

Gemologist: GIA, GAA

MFA: Masters Of Fine Art, RMIT Melbourne

Where is your business based?

My business is now based in Camberwell London, but originated in Australia.

What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?

Writing a business plan. I found this really useful, as it made me set out my goals and helped me focus on where I wanted my label to sit in the jewelery market.

Researching competitors in the market.

A lot of R&D with my product lines. Looking into trends and finding a happy union between what I wanted to create, what the market dictated, and what would be a new idea.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers

For me, this is a collaboration of my website working hand in hand with my social media accounts. Due to its visual nature, Instagram is my go-to. It’s easy for me to keep people up to date with new designs and jewelery pieces that are in development. I also like that I can add some personality to the brand.

What have been your biggest challenges so far?

Brand awareness and starting a luxury brand in this current economical environment.

How did you overcome these challenges?

Patience, persistence, and above all: passion. In my career there have been many knock backs and it can be very disheartening to begin with.

I believe strongly that success is how one deals with failure. I think it is also really important to be open to advice from industry experts.

Next year, my label will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary and the label is stronger than ever.

How do you keep motivated through difficult times?

I love what I do and honestly couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I also have a strong belief in the product and know that I am creating jewelery that is of beautiful quality and unique.

How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?

I feel that all of my designs have a signature that is unique to me. Each piece is designed and manufactured by me.

For my bespoke collection, I hand-carve all of the silver detailing for each piece, so no two jewels are alike. I like to think of them as miniature pieces of art. I also can tailor certain designs so that they have personal significance to the wearer.

I feel I am creating an artifact to be cherished and that will be handed down through generations. I am not interested in mass-produced jewelery items. I think that there has been a strong trend of consumers now looking for something handmade and unique.

What is the best advice you have received recently?

I am working on a “ready to wear” collection and have had some really helpful advice on directions I can take my current collection. I am very excited with the results.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

Stick at it. Success won’t come overnight.

Surround yourself with people that believe in what you want to achieve.

Research the competition.

What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?

I really enjoy the Instagram platform. It keeps my clients up to date with new Katherine Alexandra Brunacci developments. It also keeps me up to date with what other jewelers are working on.

Industry networks and forums, such as Bench Peg, BJA and my Studio Flux.

What is a good article or book you have read recently?

I am a bit of a jewelery history geek, so the latest publication from the British Museum “Jewelery and Men in Tudor and Jacobean England.” I am currently working on a men’s line and am finding some very interesting historical references.

What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?

Promotion

Strengthening my social media presence.

What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?

Increase Stockists within the UK.

To do this, I have upgraded my webpage and imagery of my work.

I am also working with a group of industry professionals helping with promotion and strengthening my brand identity

What social media outlets do you use? List them below.

Instagram @kabjewellery

Facebook @kabrunacci

Website www.kabrunacci.com

Email kbrunacci@gmail.com