Your Heart Will Lead You Through the Obstacles

Dawn Hemstreet, the owner of Hawk Hummingbird Moon Studio, wasn’t always the impassioned teacher and creator she is today. Although she once created art as a hobby, her main profession for years was working as an RN and helping the less fortunate around her. “Before starting my small jewelry making and teaching business, I was working full time for a non-profit hospice helping with fundraising for that organization. It helped me learn marketing and organization skills that I still use to this day,” Dawn says. 

For the last 4 years roughly, Dawn has transformed what she once considered a “very involved hobby” into a small business she is incredibly proud of. Although she claims many things helped her to make this leap, her mother’s words of encouragement still resonate with her to this day. As she puts it, “My mom once said to me, ‘if you have something big to accomplish, do it before you turn 50.’ At 48, I decided to start. I was ready to do a job that was all mine, and with the studio space and my age, I knew it was now or never.”

Since that moment, Dawn has created countless beautiful handmade jewelry pieces using metal clay and traditional metalsmithing techniques. As Dawn likes to say, “I love creating shiny, pretty things using silver, gold, and stones.” Her passion and heart are what she believes has guided her through it all and, with beautifully intricate designs to show for it which evoke deep emotion, it’s clear to see why she feels this way. 

Igniting a Passion 

Although the years before Hawk Hummingbird Moon Studios were centered around nonprofit work, being an RN, and raising her children, Dawn was always inching towards a career in jewelry making. “I’ve always loved making jewelry and had a small studio that I used as a hobby and gift making area… I often would quickly sell my work to friends and co-workers and thought it could be a business. But, at the time, my kids were teenagers and we had a busy life of activities, sports, and family activities that kept us on the move.”

In particular, the passion for metal clay and metalsmithing first began in 2010 when Dawn took a course at Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. “Someone in that class introduced me to metal clay. I was so astonished that clay could be fired and turned into metal. I just had to try it myself. I took an introduction class shortly after and fell in love. I’ve taken dozens of jewelry-making classes all over the US and continue to learn all the possibilities of metal clay and traditional metalsmithing techniques.”

Now, her art has been showcased in various major crafting events and even an international calendar publication. Her classes within her studio have also helped not just her business but her local Oregon art collective as well. “I believe that hand-making and bringing people together for classes is very healing and builds a loving community.”

Learning the Ropes

Moving from working in a scientific and medical setting to working in a handmade jewelry setting was no walk in the park for Dawn Hemstreet. While her dedication was clear from the start, finding her niche and understanding how to successfully run a business is rarely easy for any artist. Still, working for herself rather than others was something she was more than excited to experience. 

“It’s very rewarding from the perspective of knowing your time and having flexibility. I have met and connected with some wonderful people who have blessed me with patronage and friendship. Several of the students I have taught have become wonderful artists and sellers. I find creating very healing and I think those I come in contact with can feel that in my work and in my teaching.”

Through the years and the various setbacks she has faced, Dawn was able to learn so much not just about business but her craft as well. “I utilize all kinds of help from friends and others to learn about marketing. I read a lot about building a business and I attend webinars to help with marketing online.” 

“I have learned as much in the last 4 years as I have in my whole 52 years of life. I have used my knowledge of healing to incorporate into my creations. I created an aromatherapy pendant around the healing practice of Shinrin Yoku from Japan. I’ve learned how to create hand-textured jewelry with Keum Boo (gold application). I’ve learned how to run a business and promote what I do on all kinds of platforms. Most importantly, I’ve learned that loving what I do and create is the most important thing.”

Pushing Forward Against all Odds

“In the beginning, there was so much excitement and planning. I became certified to teach metal clay through Art Clay World, bought equipment, and made plans. Then came the lean months, rejections, and unfilled classes. I had 4 out of 5 Art Festivals reject me one summer and had 60 pieces of jewelry stolen out of a gallery the same year. I was filled with doubt, concern, and financial questions.”

While other artists may have stopped right then and there, Dawn realized how important this business was to her and found ways to push past the self-doubt and financial woes. With guidance and research, Dawn took the self-doubt and confusion and turned it into the strong foundation on which her business is now built upon. 

“The vulnerability of putting out artwork and having it rejected or ignored was such a huge learning experience. I often felt it would be easier to work for someone else. So much less personal risk. I’m not certain I’ve overcome anything, but what I do have are resources. Smart, helpful, generous jewelry makers and bloggers who’ve offered me support with business information and guidance. I hired a mentor for a while and I kept going, applying, and creating. It’s a constant process of smart hustling and creating.”

Following Your Heart

Dawn claims that her success mostly comes from following her heart and never giving up. By creating her own bliss, Dawn has found meaning in her art and has developed pieces and had experiences she likely wouldn’t have otherwise. When asked whether a positive mindset in crafting was necessary, Dawn exclaimed, “Absolutely, and honesty. I stay grounded and clear with the folks I’m in contact with about what I’m going through and I think people really respond to a rounded perspective.”

Despite experiencing one of the worst things a handmade seller can go through—thievery—Dawn still found hope and learned to never give up on her dreams. 

“After I was rejected for several shows and had an entire collection of jewelry stolen, I thought very seriously that this was a sign that I should move on. My mind really wanted me to give up and ‘get a real job’ but my heart really wanted to wait.” This is when Dawn pushed past the first of many hurdles in the last 3 years and used her emotional side to her benefit. Still, she wasn’t quite out of the clear just yet.

“Over the next winter, my sales improved and then, Covid happened… my studio shut down and there were no markets. I was fairly certain that would be the end of my business but I kept working and creating. I spent time reaching out to students online and I was surprised my sales were good. I had a couple of galleries contact me to work with them and, though it’s been a strange year, I’m glad I continued working and moving forward.”

Advice for Other Hobbyists Looking to Follow Their Hearts

When asked what advice she wished she had been given when starting her own business, Dawn simply said, “Get help. Ask for advice from the people who’ve come before you. Pay for advice and be willing to change how you are doing things to grow. Be willing to both fail and succeed. The latter is the big one. Even success can be terrifying when you are a one-person operation.”

Dawn also believes that creating connections and taking chances is the key to customer retention and growing your business without fail. “Stop and really feel the love from sales, comments, and the generosity of perfect strangers. Try not to dwell on the nasty comments and rejections. It really isn’t personal even though it feels personal. Stay open to ALL opportunities too. I sold jewelry outside of a grocery store thinking it would be a flop and it was really great!”

When asked what the most important qualities are in a successful handmade seller, she stated, “Self-motivation and a true love for the work. Also, staying curious about the niche you’re working in with an appetite for new information.”

While all of these pieces of advice are crucial to growing as a handmade seller, the most important takeaway from Dawn’s incredible journey is that following her heart, never accepting defeat, and continuing to learn through it all are what led to her outstanding success. “It’s been a tremendous learning experience… running a creative business is incredibly rewarding and I've learned to stop and lean into gratitude when good things happen.”

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