Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I’m am from North Bay which is located in Ontario, Canada. I am a self-taught jewelry designer and have been making jewelry for 12 years. Making jewelry has become my passion. I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister and proud new grandmother.
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I heard about ‘Etsy” for the first time last summer. I immediately opened my shop after I started looking around Etsy because I liked that fact that you could have your own ‘shop’ and all of your items could be displayed in one place. I like that it is a site whose focus is on handmade items. The reasonable fees also made it an attractive venue to sell my jewelry.
How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
I wanted to choose a name for my business that reflected what I sell and that also made a statement about why a prospective buyer would want to purchase my jewelry products. My jewelry is made using various types of beads and they are used to embellish or enhance one’s appearance. That is how the name BeadedEmbellishments was conceived.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My current favourite item is the Brown and Teal Long Sterling Silver Necklace. I love long necklaces because they appear to go on forever and they are so versatile in the way that they can be worn doubled or tripled. The colour combination and variety of beads I used in this particular necklace makes for an absolutely beautiful necklace.
Do any of your pieces have a memorable story behind them?
I would have to say ‘No’ because all of my beads are purchased new therefore they don’t have any particular history associated with them.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
I would like all women to know that that they deserve to look and feel their best at all times. If that means splurging a little bit on a quality piece of handcrafted jewelry as a treat for themselves then they should reward themselves without feeling guilty. Women tend to undervalue themselves and often put themselves last behind everything else in their lives and it’s time they started valuing themselves and celebrating themselves for the fabulous creatures that they are!
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I have always preferred working with sterling as opposed to the cheaper base metals because of it’s quality, strength and durability and am most likely to create jewelry pieces that reflect my love of sterling silver. I have always loved the awesome beauty of natural stones and recently have also fallen in love with Swarovski crystals and with pearls.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
That’s a good question. To be honest, I have been involved with crafts in one form or another throughout most of my life and jewelry making has become the one thing that I derive the most pleasure and satisfaction from.
Why should people buy handmade?
I think it is important to support and encourage the artists who design and create one of a kind pieces as opposed to the large companies who mass produce. If people don’t support the artists then we will begin to see artists folding up their shops and disappearing.
Any advice on selling things handmade?
My advice would be to be true to your self and your unique style. Don’t try to mimic what others are doing or selling. Be the best you can be at what you do and do what comes naturally to you. Above everything else make sure that you are loving what you do.
Apart from creating beautiful pieces, what else do you do?
When I am not creating beautiful pieces you can find me working full-time as a Registered Nurse in a Chemotherapy Clinic.
Do you have plans for expansion?
I don’t have any immediate plans for expansion, as my time does not permit it. I do hope to establish and build a loyal customer base so that I can continue to design and create unique handcrafted jewelry well into my retirement years.
Any other sites you can be found on?
I can be found on Etsy, My blog, Facebook, Twitter or you can e-mail me at beadedembellishments@gmail.com
6 COMMENTS
Chelsearainbow
13 years agoDenise –
What a wonderful blog review. I'm glad you're getting some press.
Jacqueline
Henrietta
13 years agoI always admire people who can create such pretty jewelry!
shannon
13 years agoI am following you.
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Volleysoft
13 years agoFollowing you from Follow me Friday! hop on over to my lilly pad! http://imsewcheap.blogspot.com
Monica
13 years agoI love the jewelry, it's all so beautiful!! I'm a fellow Canadian (New Brunswick)and I'm participating in the “Think Green Hop Along” and I’m now the newest follower of your great site. Hope you have a chance to check out my blog, have a look around and maybe follow me back!!
Monica
http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/
Kelli
13 years agoI'm following you, will you follow me 🙂 @ http://www.letsstartsavingnow.com. Thanks to Follow me Friday.
Love the jewelry.