Big and beautiful mum-of-two Crystal Utatao has found a dazzling way to beat the recession and bring sparkle to plus-sized women’s lives. The Aucklander left her sales job two years ago to have her second baby and, to help shoulder the fi nancial weight of a growing family, came up with a dazzling business idea – jewellery for curvy women.
“The pregnancy was a bit of a surprise. oy partner Fata and I had just moved into a new home and bought a new car and we didn’t plan on having another child quite so soon,” says Crystal (30). So one evening, while her children Dallas (8) and Jordan (17 months) were sleeping, Crystal came up with a plan. “I knew I wanted to start a business and had to fi nd a gap in the market. Then it came to me – plus-size jewellery!”
Being a size 22, Crystal had seldom worn jewellery because she found it hard to fi nd anything to fi t. Necklaces choked her, bangles were too tight, and once, when shopping for a watch, she couldn’t fi nd a woman’s one that fi t around her wrist so had to buy a man’s watch instead. I’d always admired other women’s jewellery and wanted to wear it myself,” she says. “Then I thought, ‘Hey, I could make my own.'”
Always a resourceful mum, Crystal often created toys from cardboard, crayons and everyday household items, and she used the same ingenuity and creative flair to teach herself how to make jewellery. Crystal makes each piece of jewellery at her kitchen table and the whole family gets involved. “When I’m making bracelets, for instance, everyone in the house gives their feedback and fi nal approval – even Dallas has a go,” Crystal laughs.
This month, Crystal launched her new website The Curvy Jeweller – and it’s already proving a hit with women looking for bigger bling.
But Crystal says her business is about more than jewellery. It’s a message to plus-size women that they deserve to shine and can feel just as gorgeous and proud as slim people. “oy main goal is to help plus-size women look great and feel good about themselves,” she explains.
Starting a new business, while also caring for a hectic household, means life has recently become extremely busy for Crystal. But the bubbly mum says taking the plunge has been worth it. “oy family and friends are surprised by how far I’ve come, and they think it’s really awesome. I love it when I hear people’s encouragement. I get a lot of, ‘You go, girl!'”
Aroha Awarau
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