As the new month of May began, the Artz Centre began to put the wheels in motion for a brand new project; an initiative that we hope everyone has now heard of… THE ARTZ ENTERPRISE PROJECT. Many of our students have now enrolled within the programme, and are already attending weekly meetings with our Company Director, Mark, and a whole host of local business professionals, to discuss and develop their individual enterprise and business ideas.
But did you know that our very own Ava Phillips was the first of our local young entrepreneurs to kickstart an idea through the project? At the beginning of the month, Ava decided she wanted to make some earrings, and donate the profits she made to the Artz Centre, her “home-from-home”. Through the Artz Enterprise Project initiative, the Artz Team could support Ava’s ideas with graphic design, branding and marketing, to really see her idea into reality. She has now sold over 40 pairs of her bespoke “feathers by Ava” earrings, raising a much appreciated sum of money for the Artz organisation.
We caught up with Ava (across the inter-webs, and very socially distantly!) to see what she made of it all; her new project, and its huge success.
Claire: Hi Ava! We think your earring enterprise idea is absolutely amazing. But tell me, what gave you the idea, why earrings?
Ava: I was sat upstairs making them one night because I was bored, and then I showed them to my Mum who was watching Mark’s live video, which gave us the idea to sell the pairs I had made and raise some money for the Artz Centre! I had been given a ‘festival jewellery’ set for Christmas, which was just sat there, so I decided I would give it a go!
Claire: You are just amazing! So why did you choose feathers for your main material? Is there a reason?
Ava: Well the feathers were included in the festival jewellery set, so that gave me the idea. But I really like feathers, you can do so much with them, and I do believe they are sent from heaven.
Claire: How do you make them? Your fingers must be falling off by now!
Ava: I use a lot of tools such as pliers to help me make them, which stop my fingers from getting sore. I use different hooks, clips, clasps, beads, string, elastic… and the feathers of course!
Claire: Wow! They are totally beautiful, it’s so clever how you make them. What’s been your favourite thing about your business adventure so far?
Ava: Probably getting as many orders as I have! And just being able to help and support the Artz Centre with the money that I raise.
Claire: Well we all certainly appreciate your efforts very much, Ava! And finally, which pair has been your favourite to make/sell/share?
Ava: I made a light pink pair of feather earrings for my friend, they were definitely my favourite to make.
We are so proud of Ava’s new venture, and we cannot wait to continue supporting her work as her small enterprise grows! Since our catch up, Ava has already been experimenting making feather keyrings and dreamcatchers…
…so all we can say is, watch this space!
#ArtzEnterprise #ArtzFamily #SmallBusiness #FeathersByAva #Fundraising
