A blossoming business inspired by the Little Flower

By Josh Low

Entrusting her Catholic small business to one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church is behind Cathedral parishioner Agnes Parr’s successful jewellery business.

Hoping to grow her business, aptly named “The Little Flower Handmade” in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux, Agnes decided to participate in an online novena to the saint.

“On the last day of the novena, on the Feast of St Thérèse, I received a message from Better Homes and Gardens, wanting to feature my earrings in their Christmas Catalogue.

“It was such a shock that I initially thought it was a scam!”

Having commenced her business at the beginning of 2022, the Little Flower Handmade has sold thousands of earrings and custom-made jewellery not just in Tasmania, but around the world.

Following the completion of her master’s degree in Business Administration in 2021, and after years working in the hospitality industry, Agnes felt called to combine her talents, education and hobbies in her own unique way.

“After the frantic nature of the hospitality industry, I wanted to pursue something which allowed me to be more creative and felt more relaxing,” she said.

“It also wasn’t a nice environment to be working in as a Christian – once the head chef at the hotel I was working at found out I was Catholic, he would regularly blaspheme the name of Jesus and call out slurs the moment he saw me walk in.”

Wanting to incorporate the natural beauty of Tasmania in her craft, she began making resin flower pendant earrings and giving them away as Christmas presents to family and friends.

After the overwhelmingly positive feedback she received, Agnes decided to start her own business.

“St Thérèse’s parents – Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, were actually an inspiration to me, as they themselves were crafty with their own businesses, in clockmaking and lacemaking,” she explained.

Her jewellery making is an intricate process, that begins with sourcing and drying out native Tasmanian flowers, before delicately setting the resin and flower petals in custom made moulds before allowing them up to 48 hours to cure.

“Many people from around Australia also have custom orders with their wedding flowers or flowers that their boyfriends give them for Valentine’s Day, which I then make into jewellery,” she said.

Running her own business is something Agnes says has been both “really fun and challenging at the same time.”

“I’ve learnt so much and met a lot of other wonderful small businesses who have taught me a lot.

“I think running my own business has helped me learn patience and perseverance, as well as how important relying on and surrendering to God’s will is, in everything,” she concluded.

To find out more about The Little Flower Handmade products, follow @littleflowerearrings on Instagram or visit https://thelittleflowerhandmade.com.au/