2003 – Meant to Bead
My first career was in banking. I started as a teller in high school and eventually worked my way up to VP, Bank Manager. I know it sounds like a left-brained job for a right-brained person but I found ways of being creative even in the finance industry! I’m so glad I had the valuable experience of working in my teenage years. It taught me common sense skills and a strong work ethic. I left Bank of America after our second daughter was born. In 2003, with three daughters ages 5, 4 and 3, I went back to school to study Spanish (to keep up with my kids who were also learning the language) and Early Childhood Education, with the goal of becoming a social worker. It was around this time that I started making jewelry as a hobby. I remember enjoying a simple jewelry-making craft with my daughters. Once I learned how to attach a clasp I was hooked! I started taking beading classes and couldn’t get enough of practicing my newfound skills.
Growing up, I was surrounded by inspiring women and artists – my grandma, mom, aunt, and great aunt. Whether it was gardening, painting, sculpting or stained glass, I loved working by their side. I was fortunate to have a very close relationship with my grandparents which later influenced my own parenting and fueled my passion for engaging kids in imaginative and hands-on activities. I guess you could say I had an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. Taking advantage of our proximity to several cemeteries, I used to get flowers from our landlord who had a nursery, turn them into bouquets and sell them on the street corner to passersby! Even so, it was never my intention (as my husband likes to remind me) to start a business. It just goes to show, you never know where life will lead you!
2005 – From Hobby to Wholesale
Within a year, I was selling my jewelry pieces to friends and then in 2005, I launched Dragonfly Designs as a wholesale business. Our slogan back then was “Jewelry with a Conscience.” Stores across the country, as well as local boutiques, began carrying my line. This is also when I launched jewelry making parties for kids, which is still one of our most popular offerings! We partnered with nonprofits across the Bay Area like CASA, giving a voice to children in foster care, Hamilton Families, a leading service provider to those experiencing homelessness in San Francisco, as well as providing art classes to youth in juvenile hall sites from San Jose to Marin County. During summers, we lived locally and volunteered in Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuzco, Peru and the Dominican Republic to allow us to practice speaking Spanish, experience other cultures and teach our children the importance of giving back. The kids went to school with local children and volunteered with us when they weren’t in the classroom. Our two eldest daughters and I were selected to represent the nonprofit Nest, a global network connecting artisans in 90 countries with growth opportunities. We traveled to the Dominican Republic, to support their sewing co-op and during our downtime, taught jewelry making to over 100 women and children.
2007 – Dragonfly Takes Flight
In 2007, our son was born (yes, I had four kids under 10) and I hired my first employee. The two of us used to make jewelry at my dining room table to fulfill our wholesale jewelry orders! Within a year, Dragonfly had expanded around the Bay Area and San Diego with parties, classes and camps – I was so excited to work with children and share my love of art and creativity on such a large scale! We had Area Managers in the North, South, and East Bay, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and San Diego
2012 – Lessons Learned
Things were humming along for a few years and then, like almost all businesses do, we hit a wall. Despite steady business, we had cash flow issues and I had to make the devastating decision to let my entire staff go. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. For the next three years, I (along with my teen daughters) taught every class and hosted every party! When I look back I wonder how I kept it all going. I couldn’t have done without the support of my amazing husband, Mark! He got up with the kids and made lunches on nights I stayed up working until 3 a.m. He was and still is my biggest cheerleader, because he truly believes in and supports the work I’m doing with my team. Another driving force was not only my belief in what we were doing but also not wanting to let our loyal customers down. From that day on, I vowed to take a much different approach to managing the business with metrics and financial health as a priority. Stay small and local, grow slowly, and remain dedicated to quality in everything – from materials to our staff. That’s what really sets us apart. All of our instructors are college-educated, many with advanced degrees in the arts.
2015 – Where Creativity Meets Fun
This isn’t just a job for them, it’s their passion. We were consistently busy and in 2015 and we changed our slogan to “Where Creativity Meets Fun” to better encompass our expanding classes like Textiles & Fiber Arts, Leatherworking & Metalsmithing, Art Exploration and jewelry-making Bead Bars. Our Bead Bars are unique to us! The idea came from a natural progression of our kid’s birthday parties. We can serve a larger number of guests at the same time and adults can join in the fun!
The great loves of my life are family, friends, laughter, travel, nature, and of course, BEADS! Dragonfly Designs is a family affair – our kids have literally grown up in the business and my staff is like family to me, too. I’m so grateful for YOUR SUPPORT in enabling me to share the love of creativity in our community for the past 15 years. We will continue striving to give you unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s your child’s birthday party, a summer art camp, a night out for Beads & Brews or a large scale event with a colorful Bead Bar – creating wonderful memories is why we do what we do!
2020 – Pivot & Adapt
On March 16, 2020 we were celebrating our 15th anniversary, coordinating camps and after school programs, and had just launched a new studio space when schools closed and the shelter-in-place went into effect. We took immediate action and contacted all of our program partners to see how we could fill the void left from distance learning. We adapted in-person art & jewelry making parties, classes and camps into a dynamic, engaging virtual format. Keeping our staff employed and fulfilling the needs of our customers and program partners was the number one priority.
Today & Beyond
I’m thrilled to once again partner with schools and Parks & Rec in the San Francisco Bay Area to bring our engaging and beneficial art curriculum to after school classes and school break camps! We’ve also been serving the San Diego area since 2010 and are excited to announce we are back. We will soon offer our time-tested kid’s art programs at our new venue in San Diego! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss upcoming announcements.
Our Mobile Art Parties put us on the map 18 years ago and are still one of our most popular offerings. We’ll bring an exciting Beading, Tie Dye or other art station to your home, company, park or other venue in the San Francisco Bay and San Diego areas. Your guests will love this colorful, fun and hands-on creative experience. Live outside the San Francisco and San Diego areas? We can still come to you! Give us a call and we’ll work with you to make it happen.
We are a proud, woman-owned small business with a diverse team of professional creatives from all over the world who love sharing their art and inspiring others to tap into their own creativity. We believe powerful connections are made within ourselves and with each other when we make something with our own hands.
Dragonfly Designs has continued to grow and evolve in ways I couldn’t have dreamed of back in 2005 and we’re excited for the future. I can’t wait for you to Create, Connect & Celebrate with us!
Warmly,
Stacee Gillelen
Founder