The Etsy marketplace is renowned for beautiful, original work by talented craftspeople as well as gorgeous vintage finds, and absolutely everything in between. I could spend hours on there trawling the pages for a unique piece.
We are very proud to be part of their affiliate partner program and were delighted when Etsy approached us to tell us all about their upcoming TV ad campaign. One of the stars of the advert is Tatiana Andrea, owner of beautiful handmade jewellery line We are Arrow.
I always loved the idea of becoming a jewellery designer and even started a course. Even though I had never been able to wear rings in the past, I seemed to forget that my hands had an allergic reaction to metal. I had to abandon the course after a few sessions but I’ve always harboured a desire to craft jewellery and have been really inspired by Tatiana’s work not to mention her amazing workshop. Today we talk to Tatiana about crafting, cups of tea and shipping containers!

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Hi Tatiana, what were you up to before you started We Are Arrow?
I was trying everything I could, in search of that one thing that would just click and take me towards my future!

Your process for jewellery making is so unique, tell us about ‘lost wax casting’.
I love everything about the casting process. It is an ancient process where you make a model out of wax, and surround it in plaster. When you fire the plaster in a kiln, the wax melts out leaving a cavity for the melted metal to fill. I love that I can make any shape or design that I can dream of out of a ball of wax, and if I want it to, the finished metal product will show my fingerprints, the places I melted the wax together, and scratches and each carve I made. It makes the metal appear to be alive. It has character, and history.

We hear your workshop is made from a shipping container! How did it evolve into your work space?
I was given a wonderful opportunity to set up a shop inside Netil Market in Hackney. I needed something strong and sturdy to contain my precious bits (the jewellery!) so I opted for a shipping container! My husband and I designed and built up the inside of the container to have a retail space at the front, and my work bench in the back so I could show up to my shop and create while being open for business.

Starting and running your own business can be such a daunting task. How did you get started?
You are not kidding! I wasn’t necessarily trying to start a business, which is what I think made it so easy… I started making a few things, and put them for sale on Etsy just to see if people would like them. When those items sold, I made a few more. Things snowballed quite naturally, and I learned as I was going, until one day I realised this could become a career and an actual business.

What’s your greatest challenge running your own business?
The greatest challenge I face with running my own business is forcing myself to take a day off. There are so many things to do, and so many details to think of when running your own business. It is so easy to get carried away and not take time for myself every once in a while. Especially when you love what you do!

And the greatest reward?
The greatest reward is sculpting/creating/carving something out of a blob of wax that becomes a treasure to someone, and makes them happy.

What does your day-to-day schedule look like?
My days are slightly different throughout the week, but each day always starts with a cup of tea and one sugar! The beginning of the week I make my waxes, drop them off mid week, and spend the end of the week filing, drilling, hammering & soldering.

How often do you introduce new pieces to your collection? Is there anything in particular that you’re working on at the moment?
I introduce new pieces whenever the inspiration hits me. Sometimes I am so focused on the day to day of running my business, that I don’t allow my brain to slow down and explore ideas.

What inspires you?
Everything inspires me! I am constantly looking and gathering shapes, lines, and ideas for my brain to jumble together into the form of new pieces.

We recently featured a very popular post asking our readers what advice they’d give their teen self. What would you tell your 14-year old self?!
I would tell myself, “Sorry, but you will not marry Justin Timberlake one day but dont worry, its for the best….”

You’re in the new Etsy TV ad! What was the day of shooting like?
It was a great day in the sunshine, being surrounded by creative people who also run their own businesses. Also, there was a cute pug dressed in many costumes!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Not working?! Hmmm…. I love to ride my bike along the canal, or a good film in bed.

Finally what three words best describe you?
Independent, busy, dance-machine…

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Name: Tatiana Andrea
Owner, Maker, Designer, Curator
Location: East London
Education: Mostly self-taught
Previous Career History: Was working in an art gallery before starting my business. I tried a little bit of everything until I found the thing that fit just right

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I’m sure many of us can empathise with Tatiana on getting the work-life balance right, even those who aren’t running their own businesses. Has anyone found a way get the right mix?
You can find the We Are Arrow collection over on Etsy. There are so many beautiful pieces but I think my favourite has to be Mountain Upper Ring. Don’t forget to watch out for Tatiana (and the cute pug) hitting your TV screens very soon!