Businesswoman Marcie McConnie is becoming one of the biggest names in the local jewellery market.

Demand for her original sterling silver and gem stone designs is high among local women and a number of shops Island-wide are selling her creations under the name “Marcy”.

Jewellery making has become a lucrative market. Open a fashion magazine and behold the lucrative moving stars sporting chunky ethnic creations, sparkly chandelier earrings, and beaded drops long enough to graze the top of the collarbone.

Using the style of the stars as inspiration, Mrs. McConnie has created a line of jewellery that is both versatile and unique and designed to add sparkle and style to the plainest black shirt and pair of blue jeans.

Mrs. McConnie sells her original sterling silver and gem stone creations at several local boutiques and through word of mouth. Women are so hungry for her designs that she will be using the world- wide web to meet the demand.

Her business is known as “Beadaliscious”, and allows customers to mix and match stones to their liking. Customers will have the option to pay for the order through the site or have their jewellery delivered to their front door.

Artistic is a trait friends and family members have associated with Mrs. McConnie, but she said it wasn't until she was flicking through the pages of a fashion magazine that she found an outlet for her energies.

Last May she began ordering stones and beads and practising the techniques. After lots of time, patience, and energy Mrs. McConnie's efforts paid off.

The result is chunky turquoise and coral chokers, hand crafted carnelian stone necklaces, delicate crystal hoops, and shimmering fresh water pearl earrings.

Her designs are so versatile women have found them suitable for the office or casual enough to wear out at night to a summer party.

In the evenings after work, Mrs. McConnie began turning her hobby of making her own jewellery into a one- woman enterprise, selling her creations to Roxine Graham at Roxy's Boutique on Front Street by word of mouth to friends or family.

Mrs. McConnie said she uses the phrase, “dressy for the daring” to describe her unique creations.

“At first it seemed interesting and a nice way to relax, but now it's become so exciting that people want to pay for something that you have made and put so much energy into.”

She can remember the profits of her first sale through Roxy's boutique in the Emporium building on Front Street.

“When I sold my first piece, I was over the moon. It seemed like a fortune, it was $75, I held on to it for weeks.”

Designs for her earrings begin in stages. Sometimes she will scout out the designs in the local shops for inspiration, at other times she will put pieces together and then take them apart, shaping them step by step to become the final piece of jewellery.

As a busy mother who is employed at a local accounting firm as an accounts assistant, Mrs. McConnie attended the Berkeley Institute and took courses at the Bermuda College. She knows the importance of administration of a business, even as small as her own, and how to cash in on tastes and trends.

“There is a market for nice jewellery in Bermuda. Women love to but jewellery.

“They are always on the lookout for nice costume jewellery and are willing to pay for the lasting, quality gemstones,” she said.

Since she must order the stones from overseas, Mrs. McConnie said the cost of her jewellery is not cheap, but it is reasonable as the stones are genuine and will last longer. Prices range from $20-$35 for earrings. Genuine gemstone sets go up to $75.

•To contact “Marcy” call 234-6612 or email mmcconnie@ibl.bm