My Story by Sushma Sharma

I am Sushma B Sharma, 42 yrs old, single mother. I started my home jewellery business to support my family & meet my mother's dream.

My mother always wanted me to stand up for myself but I had no idea from where to start as I had lost touch with outside world for almost 15 years after I got married.

5 years ago, my husband walked away from our life. At the beginning I thought I would rather die than carry on. I would be awake all night crying over my child and how callous he had turned out to be. The rejection was so painful, and the hurt on my son’s behalf was devastating. I would say for 2 years, I was in a world of real misery I just could not eat properly, and I felt like my world had fallen apart.

My family always encouraged me to utilise my skills and knowledge to setup my new career path. Initially I was afraid to take any step because I have not worked for 15 years and I was in teaching profession earlier.

I fell in love with beads and beading and everything to do with it when my sister from Australia gave me a box of beads. It had instructions to make jewellery. It reminded me about my college days when I use to make my own dresses and jewellery because I wanted to look different from the crowd and at that time I thought “There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, And that’s your own self”.

My love of beading has been a Godsend as it has made it possible for me to be both creative and innovative and in turn provide me an avenue to show my skills with an income to support my son's education and fulfill my dreams. I have successfully completed jewellery designs and packaging courses run by the government institutes.

With help of PHD house, I have launched my products in the Winter Carnival held at Bhutan Embassy, New Delhi. My designs were appreciated by chief guests (Mrs. Kiran Bedi, Mrs Kiran Walia and Mrs. Shahnaz Hussain) foreign delegates and locals.

I offer traditional, imitation, unique and chic Fashion Jewellery including Bridal, party wear sets, Charm Bracelets, Necklaces, Anklets, Girl's and Boy’s Bracelets – perfect gift for someone special using 400 diiferent type of beads, artificial silver, leather, gem stones and artificial pearls.

One of the opportunities my jewellery business has brought me is teaching jewellery making workshops, which is very rewarding professionally.

I am lucky enough to have a few very great friends and close family members who have supported me during tough time. They have encouraged me to fight for my own rights and encouraged to start my life again.

My family and friends have helped me create client network in India and overseas.

I have created my website so that I can sell jewellery on-line. You can visit my website www.sushmanicreations.com to view some designs or visit my workshop in Mayur Vihar Phase III.

Now, I would like to connect to IWO to get guidance on how to expand my business.
Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.