Brettenham: Instagram helps teenager launch Tiger Lily Jewellery

A jewellery designer is hoping to prove it is possible to look stylish while wearing a face mask with her newly created chains.

Katie Roberts set up Tiger Lily Jewellery from her Brettenham home after feeling ‘lost’ a month into lockdown and has already attracted more than 300 Instagram followers.

But the ‘sporty’ 19-year-old admits she surprised herself by taking on the project.

She said: “I had taken a running challenge to raise money for Suffolk Mind. But at the end of my challenge, I wanted to find another one!

“It’s strange because I am extremely sporty and making jewellery was something I never thought I would be doing.

“I learned a lot about marketing through a placement I did at a local rugby academy, where they taught me how to create logos and also create aesthetic content.

“The main platform I use for the business is Instagram and I try to keep on top of posting and advertising new products. The social media site provides extras, so I also use stories to engage with customers. I ask them regular questions, to see what will sell.”

Katie has been designing and selling a whole range of jewellery products for Tiger Lily - which is named after her long-time pet dog. On Instagram she is able to interact with customers, and market some of the necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings she sells.

She added: “I have been really lucky so far and not faced many challenges. However, when I first started making orders, I felt I had to make and deliver them within a day of the order being made. I have now realised this isn’t possible for one person and I have began to set time limits and it’s been a lot easier.”

Katie said she started the project after finishing part-time education and is setting her goals on a month by month basis. She said her next challenge is adapting the designs to the limitations of the virus.

“I went shopping and discovered that trying to hold everything and the mask was an inconvenience,” she said. “I would like to start designing mask chains for the beautiful masks that people have been hand making.

“This is now my goal for the next month.”

To find out more, visit: www.instagram.com/tiger.lilyjewellery