Aspiring entrepreneur and jewelry designer, Esther Renee Shirk, stepped into a fine jewelry store to purchase a silver polishing cloth for her business and walked out with a job. When the manager learned that Esther had a small jewelry design business, she hired her part-time as a seasonal employee for the holidays. After the holidays, Esther was asked to continue working and before long was offered a full-time position as an Apprentice in their jewelry repair department. Though the job would take time away from her own business, Esther saw an opportunity to learn and couldn't turn it down.
Since then, Esther has been increasing her design and repair skills, learning the ins and outs of running a shop and the back-office work involved, as well as growing the vision for her own business beyond beads and wire, to precious metals and gemstones.
Esther continues to sell her own designs on Etsy, as well as at craft fairs and street markets. In addition, her hand-crafted jewelry can be found at Flying High and Volumes Bookcafe--two local Chicago merchants.
