CARLYLE — What started out as a way for Megan Anderson, owner of The Blinging Bluebird in Carlyle, to honour her grandmother has turned into a thriving business.
Anderson has always been creative.
“For 15 years before I got into this, I was a quilter. I hobby hopped from all the things,” said Anderson, laughing when referring to her time doing activities such as cross-stitch and crochet.
Anderson got into blinging after her grandmother died during the height of COVID-19.
“It was hard for me,” said Anderson. “She was my person.”
Anderson’s grandmother had a lot of jewelry.
“She was that grandma who had rings on all her fingers. She always had a broach on her coat. She had clip-on earrings, pendants and watches. She had so much jewelry,” said Anderson.
Everyone in Anderson’s family picked a few pieces of jewelry as a keepsake.
“I wanted to do something special,” said Anderson. “I didn't want this jewelry just to die in a drawer and be forgotten,”
This led Anderson to look on the Internet for ideas of what to do. Anderson eventually found someone who does collage work with heirloom jewelry.
Anderson did not have enough for a collage, which led her to find rhinestone groups online.
At that time, there was no specific rhinestone store in Canada, so Anderson had to order products from the United States.
“I thought Canada needs something. I felt like it was her way of being like ‘I planned this for you,’” said Anderson.
All of this happened fast. Anderson’s grandmother died in February; by April, Anderson decided to do this and then launched the Blinging Bluebird in September.
A lot of this time was spent sourcing materials for the best quality.
“I wanted to make sure I had the best quality at the most competitive pricing … I wanted to make sure I could stand behind everything I put out,” said Anderson.
She decided to turn this idea into a formal business to fill a gap in the market.
“I knew that Canada wanted this,” said Anderson. “I wanted to step up and be that. It helped that Americans took to the store too because their dollar did so well.”
“During the pandemic, lots of people found hobbies and a lot of little shops popped up but you could see them not really scaling,” continued Anderson. “I dove headfirst into bringing in new product selection and being innovative in what I was offering. I wanted to be that one-stop shop.”
Anderson says her tumblers and pens are her most popular products.
“The pen patterns are quick projects. Somebody who does bling that isn't brand new could hammer it out in an hour. Tumblers are bigger and those patterns take a lot more thought and it's easy for people to come and grab one that's made up,” said Anderson.
“We have started making tumbler and pen kits that come with my pattern on the tumbler and pen,” continued Anderson. “It comes with all the stones and instructions they need it make it. (It’s) beginner friendly. It's almost diamond dart art but more luxurious finished end product.”
Anderson’s business grew faster than she thought it might. The Blinging Bluebird started in a room in their basement, but Anderson was soon using the other spare room which then was overflowing into their living room.
“I was scaling so fast,” said Anderson. “I needed staff."
This led Anderson to find a commercial space.
“I knew going into it this was a good space for me for now,” said Anderson.
The Blinging Bluebird stayed at this location for two years.
“We were so full in there. It was so full I say it was bursting at the seams,” said Anderson. “It was getting claustrophobic with how full it was.”
It then led Anderson to look for more space. She found it at Highway 13 West building 3209, near Carlyle Motor Products. The building stands out with a bright blue front door.
“It’s refreshing,” said Anderson.
She is planning a grand opening this summer, prior to Canada Day.
“I feel like it would work well to have an in-person grand opening and then an online grand opening on the first,” said Anderson.
It is still mind-blowing to Anderson how fast her business has grown.
“I think I am one of Canada’s leading rhinestone stores now,” said Anderson. “I don’t think there is a rhinestone store specific that is bigger than me that is commercial which is crazy. It’s been a crazy ride.”
Anderson is grateful to everyone who has been supportive over the last few years.
“I have so much thanks for everyone that has supported me. In Canada, rhinestones and bling are so new and so many people don’t know what I am talking about ... it's a small community but I have made some amazing friends,” said Anderson.
