This is my second featured business and I am happy to say someone who I have also befriended on Instagram. Her work is stunning and I hope you take the time to gain insight into her small business as well as checking out her products.
Some small rabbit related businesses seem to be growing and thriving, while others unfortunately are closing their doors. With the millions of bunny loving people worldwide, it seems as though we should be able to support them all. My hope is for you to read these monthly interviews to get a more in-depth understanding of the featured business.
March’s Featured Business
Heather Annette Bijoux
1. What is your business?
Jewelry Design featuring bespoke one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
2. Tell me about yourself, your buns.
My bonded pair are Bonbon, a standard Chinchilla, and PrimaBella, a Rex crossed with English Spot. They are both special needs and were adopted from a National Rabbit Rescue organization called House Rabbit Society. Bonbon sustained a major eye trauma while a kit running around a forest adjacent to a residential area which had recently suffered a major fire. His eye was removed. PrimaBella was confined to a wire floor cage giving her poor muscle growth, fused ankles, and knee arthritis. Her previous owners allowed her front teeth to grow long, interlocking them disallowing her to open her mouth. Almost wasting away, dehydrated, and having difficulty moving around, the owners dropped her off at a county shelter. Her front incisors were removed. Both bunnies are thriving after coming into my care. They co-habitat nicely with my five cats indoors and not confined.
3. What inspired you to start your business?
Always having a passion for animal welfare, I advocated for dogs, cats, and birds. I have studied animal behavior and mixed species cohabitation, written articles of such, and campaigned for stricter legislation on their behalves. Part of advocacy work includes volunteering at shelters in addition to my rescue work. Whilst volunteering at House Rabbit Society, I saw Bonbon. He had just had a neuter and enucleation surgery combination. Fearing no one else would see past his appearance and adopt him, I filled out the foster application. Never having owned a rabbit, I took to researching the species and found they are an underrepresented group in animal rights agendas. They are often purchased from breeders, often given as gifts seasonally, often mishandled by kids, often not fed proper diets, often not housed properly, and often used in laboratory experiments for everything from cosmetics to household cleaners. To speak to proper husbandry, I took to posting educational bits on Instagram.
4. How is your business unique?
Designing jewelry with bunny pendants and charms allows me to parlay my adoration of them into funds which I can use to help rabbit rescue groups. My jewelry designs have always merged past era findings with present day stones, pearls, and coral. Vintage components mix well with semi and precious stones but the addition of a darling bunny charm makes the jewelry sparkle.
5. How long have you been doing this?
Jewelry design began when I was a child spending time at my grandmother’s house who adored jewelry but often needed beads restrung or a brooch repaired. I took to the task of reassembling her broken pieces and found she received compliments on my designs. Soon, people began asking me to remix their pieces and the custom design aspect organically happened.
6. What does a typical work day look like?
There are no typical days when you have 7 animals! I devote much of my time to their care and make jewelry when I am able.
7. What is your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenges are spreading the word about my business and managing the online presence. There are loads of jewelry websites in the world. How can bunny lovers find mine?
8. What is your most popular item?
Following fashion trends, jewelry popularity never wanes, but certain pieces become more sought after. Presently, bracelets are the go-to accessory followed by earrings.
9. What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
I often advise myself to keep hope. It can be discouraging to not have enough sales to support my art. Pursuing creative endeavors which make you feel happy would be my advice.
10. Where can someone purchase your products?
Heatherannette.com is my website
heatherannetteusa is my Instagram for my jewelry.
parfait.the.bird is my Instagram for my fur babies.
If you have a rabbit related small business, or know someone who does, I am looking to feature a different entrepreneur each month. When you come across a business that fills your need, or you are inclined to gravitate towards, I ask that you please spread the word about them. In this day and age it is very hard for small businesses to stay competitive and we need to show them our support.
Check out the resource page for a list of rabbit related businesses!
