Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy LaRocque.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi My name is Tracy, I’m a custom designer, master jeweler and owner of TeLayne Designs. My passion for designing and making unique jewelry began as early as 8th grade when I created a silver ring with a tiger eye stone in an Arts & Crafts class at school. My teacher entered the ring into a contest and I won first place in a regional competition. For me this experience would be the start of my lifelong passion for designing and creating jewelry!
I have over 40 years of experience, and I have been custom designing for over 25 years. The industry has changed a lot with today’s most up to date technology of Computer Animated Design. I have embraced this technology and have a phenomenal team of designers. This is the foundation for creating your new unique piece of jewelry.
I make the design process fun for everyone by removing the pressure to purchase something in store that is not unique. I will demonstrate how jewelry is created and how our designs come to life with computer animated renders.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a jeweler is very difficult work, we have to learn fine motor skills and acquire knowledge that is not in a book. At the beginning of my career, I saw the long path ahead of me. I was going to have to walk the world of hard knocks to gain the knowledge I needed. I have alway loved the art of jewelry: making and repairing it. I look forward to getting out of bed and going to work.
After many years I’ve felt like I was well round in jewelry knowledge and experience. . But little did I realize the path was still tough and molding me along the way. Now I try to share my knowledge with my young jewelers who work with me. Even after 43 years I still am learning new techniques. My team is encouraged to brain storm together to find solutions on difficult projects and discuss techniques.
That is what custom design is: problem solving. Each piece is a prototype. Being a jeweler is a life of challenge and adventure.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I decided to start my own business in 2012. A few month later I became incorporated. I had some business experience, but I had to quickly learn the bookkeeping side of business. As my business grew so did my management and bookkeeping skills. I truly recommend a business degree for anyone who thinks they’ll run a business. That is definitely an advantage. Now my business has four employees. We are not a huge company, but we stay busy, so I’m happy at this size.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up with horses. I have two older siblings. We lived in the country and also had a pecan farm. I drove a truck at twelve years old. I rode my horse by myself whenever I wanted to. Many times I can home from school and rode. We picked up hay bales from the fields on an annual basis. We ran outside all summer long. There was little TV and of course we were not the generation of cable and video games. I caught horned toads, lizards and let tarantulas crawl on me. My friend and I alway walked the eight foot cinderblock fences and built forts out of scraps. Compared to todays version of childhood, I definitely prefer mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.telaynedesigns.com
- Instagram: Elayne_designs_
- Facebook: telaynedesigns
