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Date: 4/25/2022
MONSON – New Monson resident Rachel Berthiaume recently launched her business Rachel’s Trinkets, which features all hand-made items made out of polymer clay. Berthiaume makes earrings, bracelets and necklaces right out of her home. Her collections take a look at how bold and unique color patterns can be transformed into wearable treasures.
“I try to think outside of the box,” Berthiaume said. “I love making shapes, patterns and adding texture. It’s not something that’s plain or flat – adding texture really makes your product come out and surface. I put time, thought and love into my jewelry.”
Her unique “Alice” earrings are made from a cane she created using oranges, blacks and teals mixed with silver flakes. Another collection of hers is the “Fairyland Collection.” She created earrings and bracelets using colors, textures and patterns that were inspired by forests, springs and enchantment, her website https://www.rachelstrinkets.com/ notes.
Berthiaume began her clay jewelry two and a half years ago but launched her business this year. She and her family moved to Monson last summer and instantly fell in love with the town, she said. Prior to starting her business, Berthiaume worked in retail for 11 years as an appliance salesperson at Lowe’s. She told Reminder Publishing it was a “big change” from working all those years to now being a stay-at-home mom. She said she needed something different to keep her busy and fulfill her desire to work.
“I have never seen polymer clay items until I was a stay-at-home mom. Berthiaume replied. “During my son’s nap times, I would watch a lot of people make things out of jewelry and since I didn’t have a job anymore, I wanted to make use of my time. I studied and watched a lot of techniques, so I decided to give it a go and I really enjoyed it. It was very relaxing to do so.”
When she first started, Berthiamue admitted she didn’t really see the potential in her products until she started hearing other peoples’ positive comments at the crafts fair. She went to her first craft fair at Quaboag Regional Middle High School in Warren and said she was amazed with how people loved seeing her make jewelry out of polymer clay. She said people who stopped by her booth noted their excitement because polymer clay jewelry “went away for a long time” and they appreciated seeing those materials being used in her products.
“It was really nice to hear,” she said. “They enjoyed the patterns, the different textures and techniques I use in my items. It makes you feel great to know that people do like your work and I’m happy to continue all my work.”
Berthiaume has a few new collections coming out for spring. She has been working on floral designs and some new cute animal pieces, like kittens, owls and even snakes.
In the future, Berthiaume said she’s thinking about opening up a business in town, but for now she’s mostly focused on her website and participating in local craft fairs. Berthiaume will be at the Antrim in Ludlow on June 5 and at Westview Farms and Creamery in Monson for the Carol Rivest Memorial Foundation on June 11.
“I love reading peoples’ comments about my product,” Berthiaume responded. “I didn’t see the potential in it. I was just doing it for fun showing my family members things that I’ve made.”
She continued, “Reading the nice things that people say about my stuff really makes me want to go outside of the box and try something different – to continue on with my journey and my clay making.”
Customers can purchase items on https://www.rachelstrinkets.com/. Berthiaume is also on Facebook @RachelsTrinkets2022.