Today we’d like to introduce you to Corsi Donovan.
Corsi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2017, I began buying, selling, and trading turquoise jewelry. I traveled a lot and collected pieces on my journey, buying and selling as I went. I was quite the nomad at the time! MY dream was to continue operating my business in that capacity. Always on the road, never in one spot for too long. And I was well on my way to realizing that dream. In 2019, however, I found out that I was very unexpectedly expecting! My (now) husband was not my husband at the time, and we had been in a long distance relationship for almost a year. How long distance, you ask? Well, my husband is from Ireland. See? I told ya’ll I love to travel! Our sweet boy was due in July of 2020, we were shocked, but over the moon. And of course, we all know the events that unfolded in 2020. everything shut down. Traveling was no longer an option, nothing was even open. Buying, selling, and trading would have to take a back seat for a while. Thus, the birth of my love for silversmithing. I got off to a rocky enough start. I have seen some people take to smithing like a bee takes to a flower and their first pieces are perfect. I was not quite so savvy. I was more or less self taught after Jesse (Grateful J Jewelry) gave me a lesson one time in exchange for some help with his website. After that, I was on my own, and today, I have made thousands of pieces and had the opportunity to sell all over the world. I have even shipped to South Korea and Singapore! It is a surreal feeling, having built this business into what it is today. Even though I am no longer interested in being social media savvy, I still sell mainly online and get involved in as many pop-ups and artisan markets as possible. My first job, of course, is being a mother to our TWO boys now, a wife to my incredible husband, and a silversmith next. I could not have asked for a better life. All Glory to my Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was absolutely not smooth in any way, whatsoever. I would pick up and put down the trade while trying to learn, because during COVID, my husband was not my husband, and they would not let him travel over to be with me. I was so worried about my pregnancy and if I would ever seen my child’s father again that learning to make jewelry was more of a hobby than anything. I was fortunate enough to be able to live with my parents during my pregnancy, and I would not have traded that decision for the world. But after our son was born, my husband was then allowed to travel over, and he took an interest in building jewelry as well. He helped me figure out what I was doing, built a few pieces of his own, and we really leaned into the learning process together!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a silversmith. I work mostly with sterling silver, but I have also dabbled with other metals from Brass to Gold. Silver is still, and always will be, my favorite for its versatility. I have always loved making statement pieces. I am proud of all the large rings I have made and sold over the years, along with some of the lariat necklaces I have created. My style is still inspired by the vintage pieces I use to sell before I became a silversmith. While I love the “new” and “polished” look, I have always been a big fan of patina and character when it comes to my jewelry.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
MY mom was my biggest cheerleader. My biggest supporter. My hype woman. Sadly, she lost her short and sudden battle with cancer in 2023. My husband, to this day, never misses an opportunity to encourage me and help me feel motivated on days when I don’t want to work or am trying to work through a creative blockage. And of course, I could not do any of this, would not have any of this, if it weren’t for God himself. I prayed for this life, I am blessed beyond measure.
Pricing:
- I have pieces from $25 all the way to $1000+
- It is all about size, time, and resources that go in to each piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buckwildbohemian.com
- Instagram: @buckwildbohemian
- Twitter: @buckwildboehmian
