FREDERICTON, NB – Gander Bay native Jennifer Whelan-Gorham will have a chance to showcase her jewelry line in Hollywood leading up to the 2018 Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7.
Whelan-Gorham, owner of Savi Jewelry in Fredericton, NB, was contacted by Valerie Guerrero from The Artisan Group located in Hollywood, California, who found her work on Etsy.com.
“Her exact words were, ‘I found you on Etsy and love your jewelry line,’” recalled Whelan-Gorham.
She was asked to send 90 pairs of pearl earrings to be presented as gifts to nominees and presenters of the 2018 Golden Globe Awards at an invitation-only celebrity gift lounge in Beverly Hills. All attending celebrities, media and other VIPs will receive her jewelry in their gift bags.
“I was in shock at first and honestly in disbelief – a small town Newfoundland girl now being asked to gift celebrities in Hollywood,” Whelan-Gorham said.
“It is truly a dream come true for me and I am so honoured to have this opportunity.”
In catering to celebrities, she thinks the publicity will go a long way in building the Savi Jewelry brand.
“I have already realized an increase in online sales since the announcement,” she said.
Earlier this year Whalen-Gorham shifted her business model from a small retail outlet in Fredericton to an almost exclusively online e-commerce store, where she sells her jewelry worldwide.
“So far, I have shipped orders to 23 countries including Australia, Italy, Mexico and France – but I still do a little happy dance every time I see an order from Newfoundland.”
Whalen-Gorham left Gander Bay in 2008 to attend St. Thomas University in Fredericton. She has been making jewelry for about 10 years.
“After graduating in 2004 I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I knew I had a knack for making things beautiful,” she said.
She took an interior design course to fulfill her passion for creative design.
“Creating jewelry was my fun escape after working and studying.”
After selling some of her pieces to coworkers and friends, she saw an opportunity.
“I invested the profits from my sales into more materials that quickly grew into an expansive line of sterling silver jewelry, and Savi Jewelry was born,” she said.
As sales increased, so did her confidence.
“After an incredibly positive response from new customers, I was determined to go big.”
Whelan-Gorham said she finds inspiration through various aspects of her life such as contemporary art, fashion, travel and people – but her mother’s creativity always stood out.
“During my upbringing she ran a small creative drapery business from our home in Gander Bay,” she said. “She inspired me as a child by showing me that you be an amazing mother and run a successful, home-based business.”
Her mother taught her that passion and drive are the keys to success.“Having such a strong, driven, multi-talented mom in my life has shaped me in so many ways, and I am so grateful to have the most amazing and supportive family.”
