Today we’d like to introduce you to Kailey Fry
Hi Kailey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started to through a platform called Flipnote Hentena, where I posted fun pictures of my self and of the crafts I made! It was 2010, and already at 11 I was selling kandi online & at school. It was a fun way to make extra money as a kid.
Around 2020 a video of a customer went viral and I sold out of everything. 4 months worth of work sold within 24 hours. I had to restock so often that I ended up having the help of my friends & mother in law!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Despite Being extremely lucky Making money off of something I love so much, I was dealing with a lot which is why I actually did make kandi.
I started making these bracelets because I was dealing with an eating disorder. It was the only thing that really brought me joy. In even after battling my eating disorder, I find myself so making them. It’s a comfort to me.
In 2020 I ended up learning that I have heart failure after I have my twins. Based off of the damage they saw. I had to have heart failure for if not my whole, But a good majority of my life.
I got into making candy because, Even prior to an eating disorder I wasn’t really able to do what other kids could do. I couldn’t do track, couldn’t even run a mile. Couldn’t do much outside my chest would always feel like it’s just falling out of me. So I found something inside that made me feel safe and creative.
I had to close my shop in 2021 due to my heart being so Unpredictable. Now I do small releases 4 times a year. More so for fun rather than profit. But I would really like to make things again how used to.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make crafted bracelets, masks, charms, and sometimes decorations made out of pony beads! You pretty much start off with the normal bracelet, Usually an even amount of beads. And you just weep through a bed between every other bead. The outcome is absolutely beautiful.
My most proudest work, It’s honestly hard to choose. I really enjoyed making the gas masks. Especially the more intricate ones. I love the colors in the patterns. I love that it was a little more difficult.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I find that as the years go on people buying candies actually more common.
I believe people stopped making it themselves Because unless you buy them in bulk it is extremely expensive to make stuff for your self.
The trends that happen helping this is definitely that festivals are a lot more common now. The facts that you can go to a Taylor Swift concert and you see people trading. It is exactly what I mean that this is definitely becoming more mainstream.
Kandi started off as a Friendly way to trade with people at raves, it’s now being used to unitfy even at the most simplest events.
See in the met cosplay conventions, raves, concerts, even at the mall spencers & hottopic sell kandi.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.threads.net/@kaileyfry?invite=0
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/kaileyfry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/k2hUURGJ32LJN8od/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kaileyfry?si=sPZjndeQ5tc6REUn
