We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Carrozza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I moved to Atlanta in 2020, just a month before the start of the COVID pandemic, to pursue my passion for acting after earning my BFA in Acting. When I first moved here, I began working as an extra in movies to familiarize myself with the area and gain experience in the industry. However, when the pandemic hit, all my work came to a halt, leaving me without a job and an abundance of free time. To stay productive and creative during this time, I explored various projects and hobbies to keep myself busy and to stop watching so much TV! This is when I discovered jewelry making! I quickly became passionate about it, and I made so much inventory I thought about selling my work. What started as a hobby soon turned into a full-fledged business as I began selling my pieces at craft shows and expanding my reach. What began as a simple creative outlet has now blossomed into a wonderful business!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always loved attending craft shows and supporting local artists. I still remember buying my first silk necklace at a craft show and loving the concept of lightweight, minimalist jewelry. Inspired by that necklace, I started creating my own necklaces on silk cords and eventually expanding my business to include charmed earrings. All of my pieces are designed to be lightweight and hypoallergenic, making them a perfect choice for anyone—even those with sensitive skin!

One of the things I’m most proud of is my perseverance. Like many people, I often have great ideas or goals but end up talking myself out of pursuing them. With this business, though, I decided to take a different approach. I just went for it. I started making jewelry, and before I felt completely ready, I signed up for my first craft show. It was nerve-wracking, but having that deadline forced me to get prepared quickly. I didn’t have time to let my negative self talk influence me to back out. It taught me an important lesson: waiting for the perfect moment or until we feel “ready” might mean we never start at all. I learned that the key is to jump in and learn along the way and pivot when needed. I try now to bring this mindset into other aspects of my life and for growing my business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oooh. This is a tough one, because there are so many great places to visit around Atlanta! One of my favorites is taking a day trip to Helen. I love going for a hike and then relaxing with a drink in this charming little town. If I’m staying closer to Atlanta, I highly recommend seeing a show at the Fox Theatre—I always love seeing the Broadway touring shows they have there.

For a fun night out, Ponce City Market is a must. If you make a reservation at the rooftop restaurant, you can skip the fee to ride the elevator to the top, and the view is absolutely stunning. I’m also a fan of exploring local breweries, even though I’m not much of a beer drinker myself. I love finding sours, ciders or seltzers, and some of my favorites local breweries include Three Taverns Brewery, The Lost Druid, and Pontoon Brewery. If you come by on a weekend, you might even catch me selling my jewelry there!

The Georgia Aquarium is always a fun experience, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden is beautiful, especially during certain seasons. I also just love strolling around Marietta Square, shopping, and grabbing a bite to eat. I recently discovered the Dixie Tavern in Marietta, which has fantastic live music. And for more great live music, 37 Main is a great spot—it’s where I find my favorite Tom Petty tribute band!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I discovered an incredibly helpful podcast by Emily Grey (@emilygreyunderway on Instagram) that played a key role in guiding me as I expanded my jewelry into stores. Her podcast was filled with practical steps for growing my business into brick and mortar stores.

I also want to give a special shoutout to my Dad, who helped me come up with my business name, The Actor’s Craft. I was struggling to find the perfect name until he suggested combining my two passions—acting and jewelry making. It turned out to be a great idea, especially here in Atlanta, where the acting community is vibrant. My business name has sparked countless conversations at craft shows with fellow actors!

Lastly, a big thank you to Dorothy’s Desserts (@dorthydesserts on Instagram) for recommending me to Shoutout Atlanta and for their delicious cheesecakes that keep me fueled during long craft shows!

Website: https://theactorscraftjewelry.weebly.com

Instagram: theactors_crafty_boutique

Facebook: theactors_crafty_boutique

Image Credits
Dakota Owen Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.