For small business owner Miranda “Randy” des Islets, combining her passion for floral and jewelry design was a natural fit, a lifetime in the making.
“I used to save up my birthday money to attend jewelry camps during the summer and buy jewelry-making supplies,” she said. “I started fixing jewelry pieces on the playground.”
Today, des Islets Florist & Gifts is one of the mainstays of the Riverside Arts Market (RAM). Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 100 small business owners gather under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge to sell their products at this makers and farmers market hosted rain or shine by Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP).
For des Islets, that means bringing weekly flower arrangements and fine jewelry to a growing customer base. While the combined role of jeweler and florist keeps her busy, she doesn’t play favorites when it comes to her dual business models.
“I love that I am able to dabble in both!” she shared.
The experience of working with both wholesale florists and mom and pop flower shops gave des Islets the confidence to include floral design in her initial passion for jewelry. Her pieces share a common theme: vibrant color.
“My favorites, both floral and jewelry, share vibrant colors found in nature.”
Her business is also inspired by her grandmother, whose collection of beaded items and fine jewelry sparked her initial passion for design.
Des Islet’s journey as a jeweler and florist has not been without challenges: She is open about her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and her experience as an “MS warrior.” A relapse with MS actually sparked her transition into opening des Islets as an independent business.
“The company I was working for at the time was not very flexible with my hospital stays, and I needed something that would allow me to bring in money as well as allow my mind and body the flexibility to rest when needed,” she said.
Operating a small business while experiencing an invisible illness has given des Islets a unique perspective and also enabled her to make many connections with the community.
“I love being vocal and sharing my story because there have been so many people who can relate and have actually come to me with their stories.”
Des Islets aims to connect to those dealing with similar issues. “Having an invisible illness means that you may look fine,” she said, “but on the inside, it’s definitely not always fine. I never want people to feel alone with what they are going through.”
Selling at the Riverside Arts Market is one of des Islet’s favorite parts of doing business, and building personal connections with customers allows her to supplement online sales, which are necessary when her health makes participation at RAM difficult.
“My online sales exist because I have built that rapport at public markets,” she said.
As her business grows, des Islets has big plans for the future: She hopes to have a brick-and-mortar store that serves as a full-service floral studio and gift shop. She also dreams of hosting events, workshops and featuring other artists.
“It’s important for me to have a space where I can showcase other artists and carry their work.”
Until then, shoppers can find her weekly at the Riverside Arts Market, online on her website, and through her Instagram account.
Interested in becoming a RAM maker? Visit the Applications tab on RAM’s website to learn more and submit a vendor interest form.
