SubscribeA Dazzlingly Discovery
by Kanika Vann
Consciously defining our lives by the positively expectant legacies we’ll ultimately leave behind become the bold and passionate testaments of those truly born to be artists; verification of the creativity they readily and most aggressively choose to display while they live; an uninhibited allowance of expression which inclines them to openly showcase their love of the abstract, eccentric, unique, and undefined.
In some instances, these desires to create act as hobbies, and in others, surface as inescapable necessities; certainly making them the envy of those who feel obligated to adhere to society’s expectations of conformity.
The choices to act on such daring passions often draws the confusion, and at times, the criticism, of others, as our obligations often override our imaginative, though very concrete ambitions. The argument being, that while hope is often deemed commendable, it can’t guarantee the assurance of success. However, not all of us are so afraid to follow our dreams and act on our inner-most inspirations. Some of us actually concede to the invisible pull that guides our artistic destinies. And such is the case of artist/entrepreneur, Vivian Taylor; jewelry designer and owner of Kelviv LLC, a company which specializes in handmade bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Taylor, who is a wife, mother, and grandmother, came to realize her gemmed dreams after spending 30 years working in human resources for private industry. Subsequently, her latest and greatest palpable passion was discovered, following her choice to enroll in a jewelry-making class; which only further added to her now impressive list of tangible creative expressions. Prior to discovering her newfound passion, she expressed her overwhelming need to create through furniture upholstery, painting, drawing, and sewing. And according to Taylor, her list of multi-faceted talents will only continue to grow, as she states, “My art reflects my life experiences, and acts as one of my releases. While working my regular, everyday 9-to-5, I needed to express myself creatively. I’ve always needed to do something with my hands; create on some level. And still do. I’ll never be totally fulfilled unless I am continually evolving, as it pertains to my different crafts. So here I am again; only this time, with jewelry.”
At this point, she is looking to create new and exciting trends for both the retired and working woman, while planning to launch and co-specialize in jewelry that men can proudly wear as well.
Her home-based company, operating in Temple Hills, Maryland, also benefits the community which surrounds her, as she contributes portions of her profits to a number of charities, hosts various fundraisers, and helps to reduce the proverbial carbon footprint by using both recycled material to make her jewelry; and remaking, reworking, restoring, and updating existing jewelry for her clients.
Unlike many other jewelry makers, Vivian Taylor purposely creates uniquely-tailored pieces of jewelry. While she may make similar pieces, none are ever identical. Orders are customized so that clients may better explain the pieces they want; consequently, because no two people are the same, no two pieces of jewelry are either. Bridal showers and in-house parties also act as venues for groups of clients to specifically design jewelry around her selection of semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver, Tibetan silver, silver toned metals, gold plated metals, and gold toned metals.
And though each of Taylor’s pieces is unique, her prices aren’t at all extravagant. Considering our nation’s current economic status, all pieces are individually and reasonably priced. With her booming business, Taylor does not seek to build an empire; she simply wants to create intimate pieces for her clients. However; “…in order to make [jewelry], I have to fund it. And to fund it, I have to sell it.” Therefore, while she doesn’t specifically seek affluence, she does run a lucrative company by making a profit.
The jewelry-making business is most beneficial these days, as people seem to favor style over expense. With that said, because of her skill set, custom designs, and ever-increasing clientele, Taylor is often sought after for jewelry expos and various showcases, to display her labors of love. She says, “As of right now, I am expanding my business even more by collaborating with varying organizations and other vendors; clothing designers, sororities, and other jewelry makers.”
Most of Taylor’s business is promoted through word of mouth, the circulation of her business cards, and her website: www.celestialgems-kelviv.com, all of which, continue to increase the productivity of her company and moreover, acts as a testament to the notion that risks, dreams, and determination can transform from simple curiosities, to enjoyable hobbies, and ultimately to beautiful surprises.
In the business world, success can be defined in a number of ways. For some; it is defined by the wealth they accrue, for others, it may be the name and reputations they secure; but for Vivian Taylor, her successes are defined not only by her ability to create; but by the sheer token that she is able to love what she does, as she does what she loves.
