Meet Heather Carroll of Rare Bird Aesthetics.
When Heather Carroll started making earrings, she didn’t know she’d be starting a business. A long-time fashionista and collector of beautiful objects, Heather was on the hunt for eye-catching jewelry. She looked on eBay, in thrift stores and at vintage markets, yet everything she found left her ears in pain. The weight of most statement jewelry was too much to bear, and so instead of looking outwardly, Heather turned to her own craft box. Handwoven textiles she had collected years ago were slowly transformed into loud and lightweight ear candy. Pops of gold, deep purple and muted earth tones brought color to her already eclectic look. Initially, these earrings were just for her. But as she continued wearing them, people started noticing them, and the rest is, well, history.
If you look at Heather’s family history, it’s no surprise that she ended up in the jewelry industry. Her late grandfather ran a jewelry store on Long Island, where Heather would go after school and sports practice to help him with the shop. One might say Heather learned her love for both order and flair there, meticulously organizing the jewelry displays and wiping down the cases while developing an appreciation for jewels of all kind. Her grandfather was a mentor to her in all things style and business, hammering the entrepreneurial idea into her mind that if she wanted to make something happen, Heather would have to make it happen.
And, she did, going on to manage a bustling cafe in the heart of Porter Square, to turning her jewelry dreams into a reality. She now is the artist behind Rare Bird Aesthetics—a jewelry and decor line transforming colorful handwoven textiles into beautiful goods that can spice up your life, your home and your look. Heather’s many talents have found a home in Rare Bird—not only does she make gorgeous things, but she also takes gorgeous product photography, and has a knack for working with her customer base in a real and personal way. You can catch her on Instagram, selling her earrings in a flash story sale, or at a local market, where she’ll help you find the perfect piece to match your outfit. Heather knows her customer, because initially, she was one.
If Heather has learned anything about entrepreneurship, it would be in not limiting yourself. While originally thinking that Rare Bird was solely an earring business, after a conversation with a good friend she soon realized that she was just scratching the surface. Her materials—handwoven natural fibers sourced from a woman-owned sustainable business—soon became the raw material for adornments of all kind—hair clips, necklaces, tissue boxes, mirrors. Even the scraps she has get turned into something, whether it be one-of-a-kind collage earrings, or weavings to frame and put up on the wall. Heather does it all, letting nothing go to waste and leaving no stone unturned. When she does take a moment to slow down, it is the makers behind her materials that keep her going. Knowing that 50% of her purchase goes directly to supporting women in need helps fuel the work behind Rare Bird, which at times can be tiring. But, with a pair of scissors in hands, who knows where Heather will go.
Heather is open to possibilities when it comes to what the future will hold. She plays with the idea of running Rare Bird full-time—selling at markets and online—and of opening up a funky cafe with her partner, where her love of coffee and creativity will meet. If and when that place opens up, I know I’ll be the first to be there.