Meet Alice Sensenbrenner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice Sensenbrenner. 

Hi Alice, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My love for making jewelry started when I was 7. My Nana gifted me one of those kid’s jewelry-making kits and from there all I asked for were beads and stringing materials. Flash forward to 16-year-old Alice, I had just graduated high school early and I wasn’t able to go to college yet. I decided if I couldn’t work towards a career by going to college I might as well turn my jewelry-making hobby into a business. At 18, I made the move from my small town in South Georgia to Clarksville, Tennessee. That was easily the best decision I’ve ever made. Not only did moving out of my small hometown help me grow as a person, it also allowed me to meet more like-minded people and expand my business. I messaged tons of boutiques and stores to try to get my jewelry in there. Some responded and purchased wholesale, some allowed me to put my jewelry in there on consignment and a few didn’t respond. I researched markets and craft fairs around me and set up at those. After tons of trial and error on product displays, which pieces sold the best, which markets were worth the money and etc, I reached a large audience and gained so many new customers. And finally, I started to focus on my Etsy shop. I had it set up for a few years but I had never put as much effort into it. Once I truly focused on better product photos, SEO, my target audience, and advertising, it really blew up. After I got my Etsy to the point of basically making sales on its own, I learned how to use Tik Tok. I would spend hours (very dangerous) on Tik Tok to try to relate my business to the trends. Once I figured out how to get more engagement on Tik Tok I got a lot more traffic and sales to my shop. 

It’s been 6 years since I made the crazy decision to start selling my jewelry. It hasn’t been the easiest road, but it’s definitely been a fun drive. Helping women express themselves with something I created with my hands is what truly makes me happy. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Up until 2021, I worked full-time as a server/bartender. Sometimes I worked 2 jobs at once just to survive. Then I would come home to make jewelry and package orders. Those years make me appreciate so much more how far I’ve come. 

Besides that, learning everything about running a business was pretty stressful. When I first started my business, I had no idea I would have more responsibilities besides just making and selling the jewelry. I spent a lot of time staring at a computer screen trying to figure out how to run my business legally. But with the help of a lot of YouTube videos, podcasts, and an amazing CPA, I got it figured out. 

But my biggest problem of all has been my trouble to stay focused. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Having ADHD and being your own boss is pretty rough because there is no one besides myself holding me accountable. Staying focused and time management is extremely difficult for me, and it’s also a key factor in being a business owner. I’ve tried some “remedies” to work with my ADHD such as using sticky notes when I have random ideas instead of stopping what I’m doing, daily routines, and a healthier diet. It’s still not easy, but I’d like to think that my unique brain is why I’m so creative. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a jewelry designer. I make jewelry using gemstones, crystals, hand stamping, and metalsmithing. I love making jewelry that has a purpose. Rather it’s a rose quartz necklace to help someone manifest self-love, an emerald necklace for someone born in May or a hand-stamped rainbow necklace for the mama expecting her rainbow baby. 

One of the things I’m known for is my gemstone bracelet bar at my markets. I have over 80 styles of gemstone bracelets, each one has the gemstone and its properties listed. I love watching the women in my booth pick out bracelets for their loved ones because they feel they could use it. For example, I once had a mother purchase an amethyst bracelet for her daughter who was going through a stressful time. It made me happy that something I made could help someone ease their stress. 

Another thing I’m known for are my Dangles for Plugs. I’ve had my ears stretched (also known as gauges) since I was 14. I was never able to wear dangly earrings due to them falling out. So, I created dangle earrings so women like me can enjoy dangly earrings. 

Any big plans?
Although nothing is in the cards yet, I’d love to eventually have my own brick-and-mortar store. For now, I’m just focusing on growing my social media platforms to further grow my website. 

Contact Info:

• Email: adelaidebeads@yahoo.com
• Website: https://madebyadelaide.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/__madebyadelaide?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/adelaidejewelrydesigns/

Image Credits
Three Little Arrows Photography