If you have ever wanted to make your own jewelry, but have no idea how to start, let Annie Howe teach you.
Annie Howe loves to surround herself with beautiful papers. “I love patterns and rich colors, especially those of Rossi and Chiyogami. That was my basic desire when I started my company.” 
Long before the formation of her company Annie spent 2 years studying at Purdue, until a financial squeeze found her enlisting in the Navy, which proved to be not such a bad thing. “I spent my enlistment at Sigonella Air Base just outside of Catania working as a Radioman. I made the best of my 4 years with an honorable discharge, making rank to E5. I did extensive traveling to mainland Italy, Malta, Germany, Austria, and France while there. I enjoy European history, particularly anything involving the Renaissance.”
After returning from Italy, she lived in Guam working as a designer in an advertising agency until she went back to the States to finish her studies. Armed with a degree from Purdue University in Visual Communications Design, Annie spent a few more years in Guam working independently in graphic design, where she did design work for many clients including The Bank of Guam, Continental Airlines, and the President of Palau.
When she finally came back to the United States, she worked as an art director for companies, including bookbinder and journal maker, Jenni Bick.
In 2007, Annie’s husband’s work took her and her family to rural Kentucky where she found herself as an “unemployed art director, so I created my own job.”
“I recognized a real need in the market for DIY photo jewelry kits that would be both affordable and beautiful.”
“At the time, jewelry enthusiasts would have to purchase large quantities of the supplies from multiple vendors to make a single pendant. There were considerable ‘what ifs’ for buyers who weren’t sure what they needed. ‘What if I bought the wrong products? What if I don’t understand the process? And the big one…What if I don’t want to make 100 pendants?’.
In the middle of spring in 2008, Annie launched the first kit, which was an instant success. Since then, she has continued to create new kits and develop new products. “The foundation of my company is based on helping others learn to make beautiful jewelry using decorative papers and/or their own prints from their home printers. I write tutorials based on my own research and experience, and my methods and products are proven to work.” She spends years researching products to make the processes easier and more affordable. My customers are people who are wanting to learn a new hobby or process, many of which end up becoming a home based business. Through working with the kits and products, many people discover their creative potential. ”
Now based the metro Phoenix, Arizona area, Annie’s passion for Rossi papers began when she was a child. ”There was a box of Florentine stationery of my mother’s that led to my love of Florentine papers. She had a beautiful mahogany secretary with a roll top, little drawers, and plenty of small cubbies were she kept her stationery. I loved to play in it when I was very young. I lost my mother to cancer when I was 10, and the classic print brings back those fond memories. “
She first found Rossi through retailers, such as Paper Mojo. “For my projects, the smaller detailed papers are the best papers to use, and Rossi offers a variety of these papers. Additionally, the patterns are richly colored, and the consistent thickness of the paper yields fantastic results.”
Annie’s Scrabble tile pendants
Check out her kits and tutorials for making these and many other creations. In addition to pendants, there are kits and instruction for drawer pulls, cuff links, bracelets, key chains and more.
Here’s the link to my shop:
http://anniehowesjewelrykits.com/
And here are more links:
Free Tutorials:
http://www.anniehowes.com/projects.html
Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AnnieHowesCraftKits
Annie has her own signature products as well. They include: Glamour Glaze, Glamour Seal, Glamour Dots, Glamour Glue, Glamour Stickies, Glamour FX (TM) Glass, Bella paint for glass and more.
