I was born
in Zimbabwe and grew up between there and South Africa. After
school I chose a career in radiography as it enabled me to
travel! On returning to SA after working several years in the
USA I felt I wanted to try something new. Flea market trading,
which was relatively new in South Africa looked like something I
could try as a way of life and so become my own boss!
I initially
became a tour guide for six months and saw how tourists enjoyed
the crystals and gemstone jewellery. So I borrowed stock from a
friend for a week and began the market life and the rest is
history! I eventually learnt to make my own jewellery. I became
fascinated with the beauty of crystals. Thos took me back to the
USA to attend a crystal course at an academy in Hawaii .
I moved to Hermanus in 2002 as
I love the mountains and the sea and the quiet village feel. And
of course there was that vibrant outdoor flea market where I
finally got a permanent space a year later. Outdoor trading is
tough – battling the weather elements of hectic winds, cold
rain and hot sun and having to pack into and out of my car day
every day for all those years.
But at last in December of 2009
after pleading with the municipality for shelter, we finally
moved into our covered stalls and each set about decorating our
individual 3X3 spaces. What a relief to be able to leave our
stock packed out and just roll down the doors at the end of the
day.
Since then my business had
grown as I am able to display many more beautiful items –
shining crystals, rough gemstones, fossils, local shells, amber,
shark’s teeth, gemstone jewellery (necklaces, pendants and
earings) and much more. I make a big effort to source my products
which are both local as well as from overseas and I make up a lot
of it myself . This makes my stall and products unique. People
often compliment me. Telling me that it is the most interesting
and pretty shop there!
So what do I love about my
business? The fact that I am my own boss, meet interesting
people, work “outdoors” in a sense, have the whales
frolicking a few steps away and am surrounded by beautiful
crystals.
My interests also extend to
song writing and in 2009 I recorded a CD of my own songs –
inspiring music reflecting my take on life. These are available
at my shop. My other love is for animals, especially dogs. I
volunteer at our local animal welfare.
But please stop by my shop #19
(ask anyone for Judy the “Crystal lady”) and have a browse or
a chat. I am there myself weekends, Tues and Thurs, and have an
assistant Barbara there on other days. She is fluent in German
thankfully! See you soon.
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