The following is an interview with Ellen Harrington, owner of Red Agate Design, conducted by Discover Marblehead. You can view Ellen’s jewelry collection on her Instagram page at @redagatedesign.
Tell us about Red Agate Design and why you started it. I started Red Agate to share my love of design with others. When I retired, I found that I was craving a creative outlet in my life. To fill that need, I started quilling, which involves rolling, shaping and gluing strips of paper together to create art pieces. From there, I ventured into working with wire and beads and turning those pieces into necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other jewelry. It’s been a fun and creative journey for me and I hope my pieces make others feel special. People should feel free to contact me at ellenharrington690@gmail.com.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? One of my favorite pieces of advice that I once received was, “There will always be ups and downs, so don’t get discouraged. Trust yourself.”
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead and why? There are so many wonderful places in
Marblehead that it’s hard to choose just one. I really enjoy spending time in the garden at the Hooper Mansion. It’s a delightful hidden gem where you can enjoy your morning coffee.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People might be surprised to know that I was Geppetto in a ballet adaptation of Pinocchio.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is dedicated to the promotion of Marblehead. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist who has written hundreds of stories for local newspapers, including the Marblehead Reporter.