What’s the story behind your name?
I wasn’t interested in becoming a big brand, so I chose something very personal to me and my family, and which I thought would be unique. My parents named me Ursula which is Latin for little she bear. As a pet name they called me Little Bear until my father discovered that Sulie was a common abbreviation for Ursula in Germany. So Sulie Bear is me – and I make silver jewellery.
Who runs your business? Do you have time to do any other jobs or is this full time?
It is just me, but with a lot of support from my family and friends. It has been a long journey getting here. I qualified as a geologist, became a computer analyst, then full time mum. I had an opportunity to take silversmithing classes and became obsessed. A serious illness triggered my decision to turn a hobby into a part-time business. It was now or never.
What do you make?
I make what I like, and what I would want to wear. I work primarily with sterling silver. Gold is a joy to work with but just too expensive. I especially love making earrings, as I get to indulge my love of unusual gemstones or freshwater pearls.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from Creation: flowers, leaves, water. One of my favourite ranges reflect the things you might find in a rock pool.
Where can people find you?
I have an online gallery at www.suliebearsilver.uk and a Facebook page You can also find some of my ranges at the Bramhall Hall shop, and at Huddersfield jewellers ‘The Guild’. Although I have an Etsy shop it is very tiny; everything I make is unique and photographing them for online sales is impractical. I much prefer to sell at markets where I can talk to my customers and they can see what they are buying. I am a regular at Cheadle Makers Market, and this year at Gatley Worker Bee markets.
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to start their own creative small business?
Stop worrying about everything that could go wrong and give it a go. It might take time to find the right customers but you will never find them until you try.
Worker Bee Markets 