An eye for jewelry: How entrepreneur Amanda Eddy defies glaucoma

Born with a potentially life-altering eye condition, Amanda Eddy has gone on to create the business of her dreams, making dainty, affordable, everyday jewelry that resonates with customers nationwide.

Amanda Eddy passes a shopping bag to a customer

 

Amanda Eddy got into jewelry-making in 2009 because she couldn’t find the simple, dainty, and inexpensive type she preferred to wear. A marketing and communications manager in the tech industry at the time, she took classes at a local jeweler in Austin, Texas, relishing the opportunity to “do something organic” with her hands.

A woman's hands, wearing light pink nail polish, works on a curved piece of medal turning it into jewelry
Amanda Eddy works on her jewelry, drilling tiny holes and carefully crafting dainty jewelry

“I was like, ‘I don’t want to pay $500 for a necklace. I want to pay 80 bucks for it, you know?’” Amanda remembers. “I found some materials that were good quality and figured out how to put them together. And I think that idea of dainty, everyday jewelry that doesn’t break the bank, kind of resonated with a lot of people. I put a piece up online to see if I could sell it, and it sold. I was ecstatic!”

With her first sale, the Amanda Deer Jewelry brand was born. Featuring dainty necklaces, bracelets, and rings, she creates jewelry meant to be worn every day. To achieve the intricate designs her customers love, Amanda works with small objects that sometimes require drilling tiny holes or engraving “teeny, tiny, little things” as she describes them. For many jewelers, this process is typical—but Amanda’s story is anything but typical. She was diagnosed with glaucoma, a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve, at birth.

 I’ve lost some sight in my right eye, and obviously, when you’re making dainty jewelry, you need your sight to do that, but it’s something I’m not going to let stop me. 

Amanda Eddy
Founder, Amanda Deer Jewelry

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, glaucoma is an eye disease in which high eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, leading to loss of vision. Thankfully for Amanda, whose father also has the disease and lost his sight as a child, doctors detected the condition early. Since birth, she has undergone a procedure called a trabeculectomy—a major type of glaucoma surgery—three times. That procedure, plus biannual eye exams, and a series of eyedrops she’s used daily for the past 41 years have helped to prevent Amanda’s glaucoma from becoming worse, but it’s still a battle.

Amanda walks on the beach with her dad who is blind, he is holding her arm and using a walking stick, they are both wearing sunglasses.jpg
Amanda with her dad, a retired college professor who lost his sight as a child due to glaucoma.

Tools like magnifiers and visors, which jewelry makers already wear, come in particularly handy. Amanda also credits her all-woman team, including three jewelers, who help bring her designs to life.

“I’m so grateful for them because there are some things I just can’t do because of my loss of depth perception,” she says. “Having them be able to understand my [artistic] vision and bring it to life has been really incredible and helpful.”

In 2017, Amanda opened a brick and mortar store in downtown Austin. The same year, she joined Amazon Handmade.

“Handmade gave me a [store] for sellers like me who make things and then sell them. And then Amazon Handmade rolled out Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), and I was like, ‘oh, that’s so cool. I can make stuff and then send it in and FBA will ship it. Then I don’t have to deal with the fulfillment part because that’s a lot of work.’ It’s such a great growth opportunity for small businesses.” Amanda says, excitedly adding, “that being said, oh my gosh, I need to send stuff in. We’ve sold out in everything, which is a good thing!”

Did you know?
Handmade is Amazon’s artisan-only community of sellers
Amazon Handmade provides artisans from over 80 countries with an opportunity to offer their unique, handcrafted products to customers on Amazon. Apply to become a Handmade seller, and once approved Amazon waives the Professional Selling fee of $39.99 per month for all Handmade-approved applicants, a savings of $480 per year.

For sellers looking to use Fulfillment by Amazon, Amanda recommends having your inventory sent in and ready to go. “We do special discounts, and there’s just more people shopping,” she says. “Amazon does a great job of promoting our deals and getting more people to the Amanda Deer store. So, having inventory in the fulfillment center and ready to ship is key.”

She adds that starting a new business, especially a creative one, can be exhilarating, but it is still a business. “When you start your business, you’re like, ‘oh, this is so fun. I get to design jewelry and meet customers.’”

Amanda Deer Jewelry box shown with two dainty gold rings, each one has a tiny stone - purple and orange, respectively.
Amanda Deer Jewelry creates dainty jewelry for everyday wear.

What she didn’t realize is everything that goes on behind the scenes to makes a business run, like insurance for the store or payroll taxes.

“You have to figure it out, or get somebody to help you figure it out, and then put it into a process…Then you can get back to doing what you love, which for me is designing,” Amanda says.

Amanda credits her husband, parents, and sister for playing a big role in the brand’s early and continued support. “My family is everything to me,” she says, “they’re so incredibly supportive of what I do. My mom, still to this day, will be the first person who comments on my Instagram posts.”

Despite being a busy entrepreneur and mother of a three-year-old, Amanda continues to be a strong advocate for finding a cure for glaucoma. She has worked with the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) for many years to help create awareness about the disease.

“Through GRF, one of the things I do is share my story, especially with new parents who have just had a baby that’s diagnosed with glaucoma, by saying, ‘look, you can still have a completely amazing life!’” Amanda says. “I get messages from worried parents on Facebook that have found me through videos [I’ve done], and I try to tell them my experience: how important it is to go to your eye doctor’s appointment every six months. Don’t miss one! That really makes me feel good, being able to help and share as much as I can.”

 

76 comments

  • The research is intended to facilitate consultants, industry analysts, and vendors to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the current, past, and future performance of the industry.

  • 3 months ago

    11 a.m. today at Dove Witt Household Mortuary, 6630 S. Hwy.

  • Spherical marble tables are also frequent, which create a heat and welcoming ambiance.

  • 3 months ago

    “Lela E .Nicolai.-Her house W16-fifth St, Cheney, WA.

  • Some fans of the car felt that the affect of Rolls-Royce diluted Bentley’s lineage.

  • Basically intraday trading involves lots of risk, so it is always advised that only experienced traders can go for intraday trading.

  • But we provide you with a system that makes you money locally and internationally, Practice you on find out how to earn a living on-line in Nigeria regardless of your location, provide you with helpful data to allow you make money on-line, do all technical be just right for you at not additional value.

  • The Magnette ZA was released in October 1953, but aside from a handful of motor-present automobiles, only eight were built by the tip of the yr, primarily as a result of manufacturing of the model-new B-Collection powertrain took time to crank up.

  • 3 months ago

    They aggregate data from thousands of net-based mostly scrutinized sources and make the most of varied public and non-public datasets to drive higher leads, revenue, and sales, whereas the client assistance group affords spherical the clock help.

  • 3 months ago

    This gap has created a vital requirement for tourism corporations to also specialise in occasion management and corporate conferences.

  • In spite of everything, exchange charges can differ dramatically, with them not solely altering regularly, however with many distributors setting their very own alternate charge versus charging conversion charges, and in flip you’re not often going to be getting the perfect alternate charges.

  • The end result? Increased farm prices by as much as 70 p.c, and an trade that once thrived is now collapsing below the load of regulations.

  • 3 months ago

    She will build your confidence and treat you with respect whilst preparing
    you for your driving test.

  • 3 months ago

    Every region additionally offered a choir of about 200 youngsters who sang reside in Gareth Malone’s Children in want choir.

  • The place to get forex at ‘finest US greenback rates as we speak in Delhi?

  • 3 months ago

    There appeared to be no serious threat from the south – certainly Basic Franz Halder, Chief of Army General Staff, toyed with the idea of attacking Paris instantly to knock France out of the struggle in a single blow.

  • 3 months ago

    Joyce Johnson, spokeswoman for the Baby Welfare League of America.

  • 3 months ago

    And for these in between, you will have lovely green or hazel eyes.

  • Tokens were initially distributed to early users of the protocol.

  • 3 months ago

    I have been in an EGL temper since rewatching Kamikaze Ladies just a few weeks in the past!

  • I personally embrace this excessive-tech approach in two methods.

  • Loved this!

  • 3 months ago

    Three key indicators of a transmission fluid leak are puddle formation below the car, shifting points, and a burning odor.

  • For that reason, folks would moderately spend their money now and not wait till tomorrow.

  • Whether or not you’re an avid baseball fan eager to study more about one in every of historical past’s greats or somebody being introduced to the Babe for the primary time, this step-by-step article will take you all the best way from Babe Ruth’s beginnings through his fabulous baseball career.

  • The Survey has been tabled by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on January 31 that details the state of the economy ahead of the government’s Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2022.

  • I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  • 2 months ago

    In case your antique is genuine, it might be quite beneficial.

  • 2 months ago

    Cheryl Dell Niagara Falls, Ontario data on the associated Dell family of Canada Doris Demet WI researching the Graves & Grogan family of MI.

  • The example illustrated commemorates a 21-12 months-previous soldier who died in the good Conflict.

  • There’s one other use of learning to explain issues a bit; when you are asked questions and you don’t know all the words, it’s a sort of a affirmation that you understood, or when you didn’t you just changed the subject for whatever cause: “so, if I was to choose a favorite color in a board recreation,…

  • Therapy can assist people establish adverse patterns of habits and beliefs which may be hindering their growth and progress.

  • 2 months ago

    Desert is certainly a really engaging point for the visitors and the desert safari is very a lot protected as properly and the local weather is much stable and it is the very best desert to visit.

  • When you first start to set up your business, there are so many dreams and aspirations that you set it up with.

  • Nonetheless, it is necessary to do some homework earlier than making such a transfer as not all mountain towns are the same.

  • 2 months ago

    One can use any shade of Turquoise stone for jewelry functions.

  • 2 months ago

    The brand new York Tribune.

  • This alluring stone is prized for its metaphysical powers and efficient healing properties.

  • She lassos the riders’ vehicle and follows her household.

  • Click on “Add a Contact,” which takes you to your deal with guide.

  • The highest ranking of Clevett’s evaluation, an eight out of ten, was given to the Women’s Knockout Championship match and the Three Means Tag Team match.

  • 2 months ago

    Could be elevated to any measurement with out losing high quality.

  • 2 months ago

    Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my website
    to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.

    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!
    You can read similar blog here: Code of destiny

  • 1 month ago

    If crucial, inform your mobile phone operator if you’re traveling for a long time.

  • Windows Explorer in Windows 7 and Home windows Server 2008 R2 supports libraries, virtual folders described in a .library-ms file that aggregates content material from numerous places – together with shared folders on networked programs if the shared folder has been indexed by the host system – and current them in a unified view.

  • Chattanooga-primarily based businesses have been recognized for their investment in photo voltaic energy.

  • This ebook lives up to its title fairly effectively.

  • How a lot injury can be caused by that extra 5 p.c?

  • Major John Christopher Robinson.

  • 1 month ago

    I am really inspired with your writing talents and also with the structure to your weblog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one today. I like kostricani.com !

  • 1 month ago

    I am really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the format on your weblog. Is that this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one nowadays. I like kostricani.com ! I made: Fiverr Affiliate

  • 1 month ago

    I’m really inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the format to your blog. Is this a paid subject or did you customize it your self? Either way stay up the excellent high quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice weblog like this one nowadays. I like kostricani.com ! It’s my: Stan Store alternatives

  • Well written!

  • 4 weeks ago

    The town has change into a destination for weekend dining in addition to for the informal perusal of its e-book and document shops, historical sites and art galleries.

  • Really helpful info!

  • Super useful, thanks!

  • Determine who makes the decision about when business should return to normal and speak with all members of the disaster group (e.g.

  • 4 weeks ago

    Generally speaking, in fact, Moroccan men are image-acutely aware to a fault, and take quite a lot of time primping before they go out.

  • Clear and concise.

  • Keep an eye fixed out for corroded, worn or cracked spots.

  • I feel smarter now.

  • 4 weeks ago

    I agree with this viewpoint completely. I’ve also read a similar analysis on Go789, and I think it adds valuable insights to this ongoing conversation.

  • Like normal bonds, climate bonds can be issued by governments, multi-national banks or corporations.

  • So practical, thanks.

  • 4 weeks ago

    Absolutely, this perspective makes a lot of sense. It’s similar to what I read a while ago on Zowin, and it helped me understand the issue much better.

  • These and different main World Warfare II occasions are mentioned on this planet Battle II timeline beneath.

  • 4 weeks ago

    Currency futures in two currencies of which neither is the Indian Rupee are called cross currency futures.

  • 3 weeks ago

    I absolutely agree with what you’re saying. I’ve read similar discussions on https://11bets.online/ that explore the nuances of this issue in great detail.

  • 2 weeks ago

    Hey all! Smiling at the aesthetics—it’s wonderful. In fact, the execution brings a fabulous touch to the overall vibe. Keep shining!

  • 1 week ago

    This is exactly what I’ve been thinking. I recently came across an article on https://tairicwin.com/ that explores the same idea and provides excellent supporting points.

  • 1 week ago

    This is a fantastic point! It’s something I’ve also read about on https://v9win.space, where they delve into similar ideas in great detail. I think it’s an important topic to explore.

  • 1 week ago

    I agree with you completely. This is a topic I’ve also seen discussed extensively on https://kong88n.com, and the articles there provide a lot of depth on the matter.

  • 6 days ago

    I absolutely agree with what you’re saying. I’ve read similar discussions on https://leo88s.online/ that explore the nuances of this issue in great detail.

  • 6 days ago

    I think this point is spot-on. I’ve read something quite similar on https://hong88.app/, and it helped me to expand my understanding of the subject even further.

  • 5 days ago

    This is exactly the point I’ve been thinking about. I found a very similar viewpoint shared on https://taitip88.top/ recently, and it added some useful context to the conversation.

  • 2 days ago

    I couldn’t agree more with your point. I read a similar analysis on https://sonclub.fund/ that really helped me understand the nuances of this issue.

Leave your comment