Spotlight on...

moncherie43 nostalgic jewelry

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. You have to check out the creative work by this multi-talented artist! I am in love with the Berries and Cream - set of 3 hair pins! Show some love!!!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

I'm Chelsea, a girl with a love for all things whimsical, dainty and nostalgic! I've always been creative, whether it's with photography, art or jewelry making, and decided to take the plunge one day and create moncherie43! The 43 in my store's name is because a lot of my jewelry is inspired by the 40's. There's also some rocker, tribal, plus wedding pieces in there! I can do custom orders as well. Something special just for you!

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

Four pages worth... eeek! There are lots of promotion and treasury teams.

3. When did you begin your business?

On the 5th of March 2011.

4. What inspires you to create?

Anything really! Nature, romance, old polaroids, browsing Etsy, and of course my massive collection of supplies!

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

I'm hoping that I'll have hundreds of items! Maybe I'll also have home wares, photography or another shop altogether. We'll see!

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Never give up. I know this sounds cliche, but there will always be bumps in the road towards success, you just have to push through.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

I'm sure everyone says this, but I seriously can't decide my favourites as there's too many amazing shops on Etsy! Three shops I've bought from that are great are: thelittlefox, epicallyepicsoaps and LoveandKnit.

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?

Surprisingly there's been no jewelry disasters yet. I'm sure there will be many down the road, as I'm adding new items to moncherie43 everyday!

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

I love horror movies, I can sing and play guitar pretty well (not trying to brag!) and that I would love to DJ part time some day.

10. Check out this fabulous seller!

You can see my whimsicalities here: www.moncherie43.etsy.com

Returning customers get 10% off everything in store with a special code sent with their order!

My new blog: moncherie43.blogspot.com

I'm making a Facebook soon, and I'll post it on my blog, so be sure to follow it!
No Twitter just yet, but trust me, there will be!

Enjoy ;)

Spotlight on...

Eraticus The Artisan Shop by Eraticus on Etsy

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. You have to check out the creative work by this multi-talented artist! I am in love with Crochet Red Brooch with Feathers and faux pearl button! It would be perfect with a my favorite tan sundress! Show some love ;)

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

I am a mother of 1, a wife, and animal lover. After I lost my day job as a consequence of outsourcing, my grieving inspired me to learn something new. I wanted to turn sadness into purpose, and although I have been a crafter pretty much all my life, I decided to dedicate myself to create freely. My husband told me about Etsy, which I have to admit, I never heard of before!. I can crochet, paint, draw, and recently I opened a card shop in Etsy, called My Card Shoppette. My husband makes jewelry, and together we decided to create an online woman's fashion boutique.

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

I am part of TriState Area Team, COTTEAM, Etsy NJ, Ignored on Etsy and Treasury Teams.

3. When did you begin your business?

We began our business in May of 2010. I also began selling to friends and family then.

4. What inspires you to create?

I get most inspired during periods of turmoil. I enjoy nature, natural figures, and the outdoors. I also have a tendency to stay up late while the world sleeps, to work on creating my crafts!!

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

I would like to continue to master the crafts we currently are engaged in, and I invision opening The Artisan Shop store locally. We also want to become farmers, but we are not sure where though.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Research your market well, know your craft and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Receive critisism as a way to improve your business, no matter how hurtful it may seem at times.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

Randitan, Fifthelement and, you guessed it, Gloria's Jewelry Box!

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?

I tried creating a polymer clay jewelry trinket box - let's say there is a reason why I got a "C" in pottery class in college :)

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

I am painfully shy at times, I was born and raised in PR and learned to speak English in only 2 months, I am a disabled US Army Veteran.

10. Check out this fabulous seller at:

ETSY:
www.etsy.com/shop/eraticus
www.etsy.com/shop/mycardshoppette

BLOG:
www.theartisancorner.blogspot.com

Twitter:
The Artisan Shop

Facebook:
Wendie Colvin or The Artisan Shop

Enjoy ;)

Spotlight on...

Tide Together Jewelry and Gifts

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. You have to check out the creative work from this talented artist! I am in love with Nautical Night Out - Sea Glass and Black Metal Bead Bracelet! Show some love!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

We started beach combing a lot as a family when my son was about two. Before long I had SUCH a stash of "things". My boyfriend is an artist (Ryan Jacobson Art) and he suggested I start making things with the items we found.

I am currently in two local boutiques and Etsy seemed a logical way to branch out to a broader market. So far it has been an amazing experience - not just for the sales but also for the friends and mentors I have found in the Etsy community.

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

Teams are a HUGE part of my Etsy satisfaction. I learn a lot from my team members and I take being part of a team very seriously. As a nod to the importance of these relationships - I list all of my teams on my shop profile.

I am a very proud member of the following Etsy Teams-

*Etsy Tristate Area (TATeam) - TEAM LEADER

*Virginia Treasury Team (VATT) - They accept me in spite of my MD residency :-)

*Etsy Eco Team - Check Member Listings for the 4 star Eco Tips!

*Earthly Etsy

*Inspired by Nature

*Maryland Etsy Street Team (MDStreetTeam)

*Sea Of Love

*Sea Glass Sisters

3. When did you begin your business?

In August of 2010 Ryan's father had a stroke. We had a benefit fundraiser and I put a few pieces into the auction. I was pretty excited when a local boutique offered to carry my pieces. I was too nervous to jump right in but by November I had a business license, a FaceBook page, and a supportive shop carrying my items.

4. What inspires you to create?

I seriously work in CHAOS! I surround myself with materials and different things just jump out to me at different times. I have beads that I've brushed over for months before creating an entire collection inspired by the colors I've overlooked until their time came. I never know what's going to move me on any given day so I just keep the whole stash sprawled everywhere until the mood hits to put something to use :)

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

Honestly - five years makes me nervous. Things have happened SO FAST in less than a year - I am certainly pleased by my business success so far but trying to look that far out is daunting. I'm an optimist. I assume I will do well because I work hard. Other than that - I take it a day at a time to keep things managable. A new shop wants to carry me? Great - redistribute stock. Getting low on Etsy? Ok - pump out more pieces. Big order came in? Alright - beg a buddy to make a mail run for me. I'd drive myself nuts if I tried to anticipate all the curveballs that get thrown my way. I just take everything as it comes and appreciate that I get to make money doing something I LOVE.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

I've received a LOT and most of it is helpful. I think the bottom line best though would have to be "Never turn down money" Accept any form of payment (just wait to ship til it clears!) Accept any venue to show your work. Accept any invite to discuss your product. Never turn your back on an opportunity to sell because you never know where your next big buyer will come from.

Chances are you will get burned at some point but there are sneeks everywhere - being overly cautious will probably block more genuine buyers than thieves.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

This is HARD!!!!! I'm going with my first two picks b/c I've been collecting their work for ages even though they are new to ETSY. The third is my favorite "window shopping" store(s). When I start raking it in on Etsy it will all go right back b/c I love SO MANY shops LOL

Pieces Of Amber - I've been wearing her jewelry for years and she is one of my top jewelry making mentors. She helped me when I first started creating and thought fishing line made fine beading wire!

Ryan Jacobson Art - Again - I've been collecting his art for years. It is much cheaper now that we practically live together. LOL He has so much talent it is RIDICULOUS!

I really tried to narrow this down but I couldn't pick - my new favorite style is this Southern/BoHo/Gothic Romance look that I've really admired here on Etsy and I tried to choose between my two favorites but I just couldn't!!! So Creole Sha and bayousalvage tie for my third.

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?

Crochet!!!! I can braid hemp but MAN I get tied up in yarn!!

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

*I'm actually pretty shy in person unless I'm with a good support group. It takes me a bit to warm up to new people socially.

....actually that may be the only thing because once I do open up - I rarely shut up LOL

10. Check out this fabulous seller at (Give your ETSY shop, Facebook, Blog and Twitter info if applicable):

www.TideTogether.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/TideTogether

http://www.facebook.com/CreatingWithCompassion

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tammys-Cool-Things/125769289019

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Preppy-Redneck/135299539869684

On Twitter @Tide_Together

Enjoy ;)

Spotlight on...

Cindy Burke Originals Handmade Beaded Gemstone Jewelry

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. You have to check out the creative work from this talented artist! I am in love with Necklace Gold Glass Spiral Pendant Sheer Ribbon! Show some love!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

I made jewelry as a teen when I lived in San Diego. It was easy to go to craft shows all the time because of the good weather. I stopped making it for many years but got started again as a craft for the teens at my church. I enjoyed it and kept making more and more necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings. Gave away a lot, wore some myself and still had maybe forty pieces just sitting there, until I found out about Etsy!

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

I belong to EtsyBEAD, which is the first team I joined. I was so excited when they accepted me! I also belong to EtsyTumblerians, which has a lot of members. All of us have blogs on Tumblr.

3. When did you begin your business?

I set up my shop in February, 2010. I was hoping to make 100 sales by one year, but not quite! Still working on getting there.

4. What inspires you to create?

The materials rope me in. I am in love with picture jasper, shell heishi, turquoise…the list goes on!

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

I hope that sales will pick up and eventually become regular. I would love to be earning a few hundred dollars a month with my shop in five years. Realistically, there is a limit to how much business I can do since I work full time and commute to another city over 20 miles away for my job.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Honestly, I can’t pick just one thing as the best. There are countless people on Etsy who have helped me, either directly or through sharing blog posts with information. I guess Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advice has helped my shop the most, and you can find plenty about that by searching the forums.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

The first shop I ever bought from on Etsy was Evangeline and Bella’s Boutique. Evangeline makes beautiful costumes for children and I ordered two of her Rose Fairy costumes for a couple of six-year-olds in the family.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/evangirl

Rebecca’s Soap Deli has so many luscious and great smelling soaps that are pretty to look at as well.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapdeli

A new and very original shop that I love is Fiber Beads. Eleanore Brown hand creates beautiful beads from fiber. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ebrown2503

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?

Well, it wasn’t exactly a disaster, but the first wire that I used was not up to the task of supporting the materials that I use. I’ve since found much better wire that will not break! Everything in my shop had to be restrung, so okay, it was a disaster, lol.

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clemson University in 2007 with a degree in Communication.

I love to read, especially sci-fi novels.

I am a big fan of the Dalai Lama!

10. Check out this fabulous seller at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CindyBurkeOriginals
http://cindyburkeoriginals.tumblr.com/

I've been treasured...

Look at this lovely collection put together by pinkflamingo61

Enjoy ;)

My D.I.Y. Wedding Part III

Here are a few more sneak peaks of my upcoming wedding!

Enjoy ;)

Spotlight on...

Zen25 Release Me Creations

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. You have to check out the creative work from this talented artist! I am in love with the White Quartz Bullet with Peacock Necklace! Show her some love!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?
I'm a silly crafty girl who moved from Philadelphia to Fort Worth about two years ago. While driving to Texas for the move, my Mom called and informed me that my dad had been diagnosed with Cancer. Eight months later he had passed away after a brave battle with the disease. I spent the last three months of his life at home with both of them, helping and just spending as much time as possible with my Dad. During my down time, while my Dad was sleeping, I found myself becoming increasingly anxious and stressed and needed to find a way to channel it. I suddenly thought, "I want to make some jewelry." So my Mom and I hopped in the car, went to the craft store, and I have been crafting ever since. My shop, Release Me Creations by Zen25 resulted from my newly crafted pieces.

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?
I LOVE Etsy teams, thus I am a member of a lot of them. Okay, deep inhale and...Etsy Success,Norfolk and Chance, Conquer Etsy Front Page, Epic Treasury Team, Global Arts Team, Craft Count, Handmadeology, Pure Handmade, Etsy817, Creepy Queen Team, Inked Etsy, Click One Treasury Team, Pay It Forward, Etsy Under 30, Technique Q & A, Custom Order Corner, Etsy Texas Crafters, Etsy Ugly Cute,

3. When did you begin your business?
I started my business in November of 2009.

4. What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by colors and shapes, stormy weather, the ocean, the sky, industrial metal buildings, zippers, and anything that is unique or different

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?
In the next five years I envision my business to be bringing in triple figures, with a five shop locations and a staff...oh, you wanted realistically? In the next five years, realistically, I see my business making steady growth as I continue to learn and refine my pieces. I am completely self taught, so I learn as I go, and make the mistakes right along with it.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?
Rome wasn't built in a day.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?
All three of these shops are pure inspiration to me each for different reasons

Art Akimbo: "Puttin' the fun in funky and the eek in unique." This artist has some of the most unique, incredibly funky and fun sculpture art I have ever seen. I love how he just makes what he loves. I am still saving up to buy that wall tentacle
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56638710/wall-tentacle?ref=pr_shop

Theatre Clouds: Gorgeous romantic and whimsical, not to mention incredibly unique prints. I LOVE the sailboat pictures:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62466934/ill-travel-with-you

The Angry Weather: She is a serious inspiration to me. I wish I could work with metal the way she does! Love all of her pieces
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAngryWeather?ref=ss_profile

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?
The first time I tried making a steampunkish pendant filled with resin it was a complete and total messy disaster. The resin overflowed, and I only had a small paper towel under it so it went everywhere. When I got that all cleared up, and let the resin set, it turned out I hadn't sealed the image underneath completely so the inks bled and everything turned a murky blue. Definition of disaster! I have since gotten better with resin, but I am nowhere near mastery!

9. What are three things that few people know about you?
I have two degrees, a B.A. in Education, and a M.A. in Education Leadership. I taught 9th Grade English for five years, got completely flustered with the educational system, and now do what I love working at a Martial Arts school where I also train in American Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

10. Check out this fabulous seller at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zen25
http://www.facebook.com/ReleaseMeCreations
http://twitter.com/releasemecreate
http://www.releasemecreations.blogspot.com/

Enjoy;)