Entrepreneur Caroline Kjellsson has a state-of-the-art workshop on her property where she forges beautiful gold jewellery. After training in New York and Stockholm and several years as an employee, she finally took the plunge and started Halo Fine Jewlery. Now Caroline is ready to challenge herself, again.
In the summer between the second and third years of upper secondary school, Caroline Kjellsson from Håkmark had enough of the science and technology programme in Umeå. In a mixture of school fatigue and a thirst for adventure, she applied for a collage scholarship with her sights set on exploring her artistic side.
The dream became a reality and soon the Håkmark girl was on a flight to New York.
"It's really amazing that my mum and dad let me go," says Caroline with a laugh.
Caroline attended a preparatory art school - a so-called pre-collage program - in the borough of Brooklyn that summer. She lived on campus in a dorm and shared a room with a girl from South Carolina.
I picked up a broad American accent thanks to her. The time at school was very useful. I was able to focus on my art and develop my expression. It gave me direction," says Caroline.
The freedom is so great while you have to be very precise in the craftsmanship, especially when it comes to gold.
Caroline Kjellsson
Once home, she completed high school, but then it was all about art. First two years at a preparatory art school in Umeå, after that a school in Stockholm and finally she entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo.
I was so into painting then, not interested in installation art or anything like that. But I started questioning what I wanted to do. I wanted to try something more hands-on.
It became blacksmithing, first in silver and then in gold.
It was incredibly fun to shape metal. The freedom is so great while you have to be very precise in your craft, especially when it comes to gold. I was hooked immediately.
The apprentice became master
Caroline then got an apprenticeship with an old German goldsmith in Uppsala. "You can try for a month and we'll see," she said. One month then turned into three years and a passing apprenticeship exam - with very good grades.
It was a bit special because it had been a long time since anyone had gotten such high marks in the work test. I was also the first woman since the 1980s to get those figures. Fittingly, I received a gold medal from the professional committee.
The newly minted goldsmith then ended up in a workshop in Östermalm. Customers had a keen interest in the craft and money to pay for challenging projects.
The development curve pointed straight up and soon Caroline Kjellsson was a full-fledged goldsmith with great technical know-how. The trade certificate was later supplemented with a master's certificate, which means that Caroline can call herself a master goldsmith.
Back to the future - with Umeå as a base
However, as time went by, the longing for the West Bothnian forest - and hunting in particular - became too great. She tried commuting for a while, but quickly realised it wasn't working out. Caroline took a job in Umeå, had two children and continued to think about starting her own business.
Finally, a friend said "just do it" and put me in touch with a customer. "Take this customer because I'm not going to nag any more," says an amused Caroline.
This was somewhere around the turn of 2019/2022. There was a bag of saved money that laid the foundation for a modern workshop in the barn on the property.
Until now, her customers have mainly been shops that she has helped with repairs and orders. For Caroline, this has meant a basic income that has given the business stability. In the end, she has started to challenge herself to think a little bigger and develop the business.
The eXpress programme became a useful challenge
During the autumn, Caroline has been part of the eXpress start-up programme, which has created further momentum in the brain office.
It has been super useful and challenging to be part of eXpression Umeå. My time in the startup programme has led me to focus more on selling directly to individuals. Understanding what the customer wants and is looking for, what is the feeling you want when you wear the jewelry, that is my greatest strength. It also gives an incredible amount of energy back.
The future is just around the corner. New energy has been added, along with a lot of thinking, but that's the way it has to be. Caroline has at least taken the step of daring to think a little further - and maybe even a little bigger.
There will be a lot of new things in the future. It feels incredibly exciting and absolutely right," concludes Caroline Kjellsson.
Cover photographer: Bea Holmberg
Fact box
Name: Caroline Kjellsson
Live: In Bodbyn outside Umeå
Family: Husband Tim, children Lou and Harry and two dogs Bark and Bruno.
Love: Glass
Most proud of: My children
Unexpected interest: Hunting moose with a loose dog
I would like to recommend: If you are curious to learn more about gemstones, diamonds and pearls. Visit gemmologiska.se. There is good and exciting information.
