The King's Jewel: Local Entreprenuer's Jewelry Company Thrives

BELLOWS FALLS - A North Walpole native and 1987 graduate of Fall Mountain Regional High School, jewelry entrepreneur Anna King has over 20 years experience in all aspects of hand-crafted and wholesale jewelry. And through that experience she has developed Anna King Jewelry, her own line of hand-made jewelry and other select, hand-painted items from around the world.

"I have worked around jewelry for two decades," King said in a recent interview. "I worked for a smalllocal company in Vermont, where I first experienced the raw beauty of metal and stones coming together. The shine, designs and intricacy of the workmanship really captured me."

King would further develop her expertise with the Putney-based company Offering's Jewelry. "I was just the second employee they hired and got to learn first-hand, all aspects of how to manage a retail store," King said. Then, after eight years in the company's retail setting, King worked in Offering's wholesale division, gaining experience with managing field representatives, cataloging accounts and the planning and booking of wholesale jewelry shows.

"I learned a great deal about the business from interacting with companies and customers from around the world." However, King would eventually be laid off from her job of 17 years and knowing she wanted to remain in the jewelry business, decided to launch her own wholesale jewelry company. "I knew it was a business I wanted to remain in, so I looked at the lay-off as an opportunity to begin a new career in jewelry," King said.

Anna King Jewelry offers a variety of semi-precious stones and carvings from around the world, as well as other unique, hand-picked items such as Russian hand-painted porcelain, crystal, glass and other catalyst items. "Each item I offer is selected by hand, ensuring a perfect fit for each of our jewelry designs," King said. "I produce sterling silver jewelry with materials from Bali, Indonesia and Mexico, setting both precious and semi precious stones."

King's wholesale customer base includes small shops and boutiques throughout the United States and foreign countries. "I attend several major trade shows each year, offer my customers online service, and also offer personal appointments in which I bring my product to the potential client." Most recently, King expanded her company to include a jewelry storefront in Northampton, Ma. called Silver Impressions.

"With the retail store, I wanted to expand a bit from jewelry to offer my customers items that are not saturating the market. Unique lines such as French Dressing Jeans, Balinesia Silver, Haiku Sweaters, Our Own Candle Company, Prairie Cotton, Ambersphere, PeacockTunics and Charles Albert’s "Alchemia" Collection."
To learn more about Anna King Jewelry, visit their Web site at www.annakingjewelry.com.