Etsy Interview with Bunny Green Jeans

I work for a financial services firm, currently focusing on Social Media and Mobile. My business partner, my sister is in Law Enforcement. We both work full-time so for the time being, Bunny Green Jeans is our little side business. I have always loved jewelry, clothing and fashion. And while I follow many trends, I like to have a unique twist - unique to my tastes.

While I do the sewing, my sister does the sterling silver soldering. And we both have input into the creativity and final designs, as well as new product lines.

How and when did you start making jewelry and your other items?

We started Bunny Green Jeans as in the Fall of 2008 refashioning denim clothing for infants and toddlers - jackets, overalls and dresses. We attended our first event in Tiverton, RI with a small table of refashioned denim, non-sterling ribbon necklaces and decorative plants - bamboo and ivy, dog biscuits, bird seed and sketch booklets for kids. Our business objective was "Affordable, renewable clothing with a cause": 10% of our sales go to the PLGA Foundation to help fight brain tumors in kids: www.fightplga.org

Bunny Green Jeans started as a hobby and a way to demonstrate entrepreneurship to my 12 year old niece. Since our first event, we've tried different items along the way. Today, we still refashion denim, fashion tattooed onesies and infant jackets and can custom design the tattoo design to a customer's preference. We've done various dog breed designs as special orders. We've expanded the refashioned denim for kids and women - Buckaroo cowboy themes, faux fur trim in leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, brown and black cow. And sterling silver "TELL YOUR STORY" necklaces and bracelets.

We participate in local Artisan Fairs in MA and RI with the Bunny Green Jeans tent; otherwise, all other sales are from our Etsy site: www.bunnygreenjeans.etsy.com

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

At that first show in 2008, another seller told me about Etsy and I immediately set up our Bunny Green Jeans shop when I checked out the site. Etsy is great, very inexpensive and easy entry into online sales via a personalized website. I've seen similar sites come along since, but Etsy is my favorite and just "feels" right.

What is unique about Etsy and what about the website do you like the most in regards to your shop?

Etsy makes it so simple to set up - I never would have been able to get our Bunny Green Jeans website up so quickly and efficiently. I love the pricing of 20 cents per listing so I never hesitate adding new items or relisting. Simple monthly billing. Great search system. Virtual Labs to learn from the pros and other sellers. The Treasuries. I've used the Showcase many times for promoting our pendants. I love Pounce - have found many amazing items that I've purchased from other Etsy sellers. And I just joined the Boston BABE team! I recommend Etsy to anyone I know or meet who could benefit from setting up a site.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Sterling silver - I have worn signature sterling necklaces and bracelets for years. And the ability to "TELL YOUR STORY" in sterling charms in a one-of-a-kind way.

Religious medals - I just think they are so cool, so many variations and the ones in sterling silver are fabulous - especially the antique ones and those from other countries.

Faux fur - I have 3 exotic cats (2 Savannahs and a Bengal), love their fur and the faux fur looks great on denim collars. And as an animal lover and vegetarian, faux is the way to go!

Dog breeds - people love their dogs and our dog breed charms have been one of our biggest sellers.

Custom orders - I love knowing something about the person that we're designing for. That way, I can weave their personal story as each hand chosen charm represents something important in their lives.

Helping kids fight for their dreams and not their lives by donating 10% of sales to the PLGA Foundation.

What is your favorite piece you've created and why?

I actually have two this bracelet - my bracelet, was created on August 6th and I haven't taken it off since. I hand selected the sterling religious charms from one of my favorite Etsy sellers and my sister did the soldering to this heavy link toggle bracelet. Most of the charms are from France. We were able to take a theme and create a truly one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. I personally love uniquely designed jewelry and with Bunny Green Jeans, the sky is the limit for the stories to be told - as you can see from my "TELL YOUR STORY" necklace below!

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I want to increase online sales and increase marketing for Bunny Green Jeans. I'd love to increase orders on custom "TELL YOUR STORY" necklaces and bracelets because here's the unique value proposition we bring to our customers. One-of-a-kind designs. Hand selected charms. I would love to find a celebrity who loved our designs as much as I do! Fashion and celebrities are so important to so many buyers today. And if any of our necklaces or bracelets went viral, I'd be thrilled!

Do you have any new creations in the works? If so, what can shoppers expect to see from you soon?

Bunny Green Jeans now has "Eat, Pray, Love" necklaces depicting Italy, India and Bali. I have so many combinations of sterling charms that would tell this story!

My sister is working on rosary style necklaces and we have some initial designs that were recently listed on our website. More to come.

I do the sewing, so am going to focus on Denim Barn jackets for women, trimmed in the faux fur of their choice. Brown or black cow works well with this jacket design.

Where can readers find out about more information regarding your jewelry and other creations and possible special offers (including additional websites, blogs, facebook, etc)?

Currently Bunny Green Jeans has pages on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bunny-Green-Jeans/119873739556
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bunnygreenjeans
We're trying a promotional campaign on Wickedly Chic: http://www.wickedlychic.com
We have an Bunny Green Jeans exclusive selection at retailer: Rummage in Tiverton, RI