I finally have the pleasure to introduce you to my manager! She’s been with the company for a long time and she knows it all! I’m sure some of you will recognise her as her jewellery designs often appear in jewellery making magazines and made to a few covers too!  Some of you might have watched her tutorials on our You Tube channel or the Beads Direct website.

Claire Humpherson

Role at BD: Marketing Manager

Time at BD: Do you really want to know?! …Almost 7 years

Hi Claire, you must be the veteran of Beads Direct team. When did you start working for BD?

I’d just finished Uni and I had a part time job lined up for the summer when my Mum called me to say a lady had phoned about a job with beads. A friend of the family had kindly recommended me to the owner of Beads Direct who was looking for someone to work over the summer. I was really excited at the prospect of working with beads so I had to find a way to work both jobs over the summer. I did, and although it was just supposed to start as a summer job, I’m still here!

But it’s not a part-time job anymore! You’ve had so many different roles over these 7 years! I remember you used to do some customer service, purchasing, and you became a marketing manager a few years ago. So, what do you do at work these days?

I always have a varied day! I look after new developments on the website, looking at how we can change and update things to make the website easier to use. I also concentrate on search, making sure Beads Direct is found on search engines like Google. That’s my geeky side! Now on the creative side I help my team plan out adverts and emails, brochures and catalogues, often writing instructions and other messages. I work with Basia on the catalogue, planning it out and doing designs and text whilst she makes everything look beautiful. I design projects for magazines and for our You Tube channel. I also help to make sure new products get online in time for all our different promotions. I dream up ideas with Stacy that can initially sound quite mad but sometimes they work, like our online parties. I go out with Leah most lunch times and we’re usually responsible for buying people’s cards and cakes for birthdays!

What’s your favourite thing about working for BD?

Well the first thing is the people! I know lots of people have said it, but we really are like a big family! Maybe I feel this even more than most as I’ve watched the business grow from something small to what it is today, and I’ve seen the part that everyone has played to get it there because I’m the old-timer here! I also love the beads, getting to work doing something I love and that nothing ever stays the same. We’re always doing something new or different so things don’t get boring.

I know you love making jewellery…

Yes, lots! I’ve always loved making things but had never made jewellery before I came to Beads Direct as I didn’t know how. As soon as I saw all the beads I began pestering people to tell me how to use them and as soon as I worked it out I never stopped!

Have you got favourite beads you like to use in your designs?

At the moment I think my favourites are the shamballa style, and Swarovski Elements. I love all things that sparkle.

As most of us here!:) How about a favourite colour?

I like purples and pinks.

Have you got your favourite piece you made?

At the moment, I think it would be the Floral Fusion necklace I worked on with Jo, it seemed a bit of a crazy idea to use loads of different beads and techniques in one piece but I think we managed to pull it off.

Claire's Floral Fusion Necklace

I really like this design; it’s on our new catalogue’s cover! And what are your other hobbies and interests outside work?

I have to be honest, jewellery making and crafting does take up quite a bit of time outside work! I also like swimming and reading, and walking our two dogs Maggie and Lola.

Thank you Claire!

Lola and Maggie

Contact Details:

Claire-Rose Humpherson on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/clairerose.humpherson ClaireBeads on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairebeads/

Claire-Rose Humpherson on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/clairebeads/

A little bit of cake, so much joy!