How it all started...

Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Amanda Kay Deese, and I am a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. I am also the proud owner and creator of my small business, Southern Jewelz Co, which I established in March 2015. My specialty lies in crafting indigenous handmade items, including beadwork accessories, polymer clay accessories, car charms, fabric wristlets, and more. In 2015, I embarked on a journey to learn the art of beading. Faced with limited resources, I became a self-taught beader over time. I initially started by creating beaded earrings as the years passed, my business expanded, and I began beading a wide range of items, from graduation caps to necklaces, bolos, badge reels, shoes, hair barrettes, rings, pins, and much more. Since 2021 I added polymer clay accessories to my repertoire and fell in love with its therapeutic and versatile nature. This allowed me to create various items, from earrings to bolo pieces. I've been steadily adding more handmade items to my business, including fabric wristlets. Wristlet are made by hand using my sewing machine to sew the fabrics to create each piece. I'm currently in the process of expanding my product range, and I look forward to presenting it when the time is right.