Let's meet Etsy Seller Piebald

Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I’m grew up in a small town in southern Louisiana, and later moved to the beautiful capital, Baton Rouge. In May of next year, I’ll hopefully be settled in Denver. At the moment I have such a busy life! I work some days as a hair stylist, most of my morning at a Chili’s restaurant, and even though my Etsy shop has been a full time job, I have absolutely no intent on leaving them. Everyone that I work with is like family to me.

Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I started my Etsy shop as a creative outlet. A few months ago, my life was such a routine and it began to really depress me. School in the morning, work at night. School again, then work again. School was not working out for me. Sure, I made straight A’s and had a 3.9 GPA, however almost every semester, I wanted to change my major. I thought back to when I was in high school… how I missed art class so much and how I missed creating something beautiful. In October, I dropped my classes and began to create again and I can honestly say that I have never been happier!

How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
The word “piebald” jumped out at me one day while flipping through a dictionary. It means “composed of incongruous parts” or “not conforming”. Even since I was little, according to my mother, I have always had a nonconformist attitude to everything. I loved to be different. I have never followed trends and if someone else had it, I’d have something different. Most of the items that you see in my shop are completely different than what most people have seen. I do have a few items that you may see elsewhere, but with a little twist.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
It’s so hard to say what my favorite item is in my shop, but my favorite section would have to be my taxidermy/specimen area. I love to create something out of a beautiful animal that once lived. It’s such a mystery… How was the animal’s life? How did it die? (None of the animal parts in my shop were harmed for use.) I’m an animal lover and vegetarian and feel that such beautiful creatures should have a “second life” instead of being left in the woods or disposed of.

Do any of your pieces have a memorable story behind them?
I would have to say that my “Bee in a Bottle” necklace has a very memorable story behind it. After this grueling, hot, and humid Louisiana summer, my father gathered all of the empty bee hives in his backyard and gave them to me. I was a little surprised that he did that because he had no idea that I had a little attachment to things that once were. It may seem like nothing to some people, but it meant so much to me. He told me he though I could make something with them. I later figured out what I wanted to do with them. I took a small piece of hive that he gave me, painted it gold, and took an original image out of his childhood school book from a Catholic school that he once attended, and placed it safely in a corked top vile.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I was in an antique store one day and saw these old watch vials from the 1880’s. To me they looked so beautiful and mysterious. I brought one home with me, played around with it and after that day, I knew that I would have the most fun working and creating with corked vials.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

If I had to choose one other medium to work with, I’d have to say metals (brass, silver, and pewter). Lately I’ve been very interested in lost was casting and I’d love to learn how to work with it. I feel that I would have unlimited possibilities to create by casting my own creations.


Why should people buy handmade?
I feel that people should buy handmade because, to me, handmade = love. It’s also great to support small businesses and sellers. When most people buy handmade, they feel a little connection with the people that made the object, however when buying a mass produced item, there’s no mystery.. everyone has it and may seem disposable, whereas handmade is treasured for life.

Any advice on selling things handmade?
Never ever ever give up at what you love. Be original. Be different. Follow your passion for creating what YOU love, put your heart into all of your creations and others will love it and treasure it just the same.

Apart from creating beautiful pieces, what else do you do?
I’m a very laid back person. I don’t drink alcohol, so I rarely go out for a “night on the town”, as people say. I like to spend my quiet time shopping for vintage, having a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop, and of course spending time with my awesome boyfriend of 3 years, Brian.

Do you have plans for expansion?
Actually, YES! I’m starting a new line, and maybe new Etsy shop with wooden pendants. Be on the look out around February of next year! (It will be posted in my shop announcements.)


Any other sites you can be found on?
I currently in the process of making a blog, but I’ve been a procrastinator with it. Hopefully I’ll have it up and running in mid January. Right now I only have my personal Facebook page. Feel free to add me if you like my shop! www.facebook.com/kellimil86