Etsy Interview with Christine Wallace Vintage Jewelry

I'm a 40 something designer that is living my dream of having a full-time jewelry business. I feel that I am very fortunate to be able to say that, and I never take it for granted. I have a college degree in architectural design with a background in business and spent a lot of time in the restaurant & bar business over the years. I took the plunge about 6 years ago, and whole-heartedly pursued my dream of jewelry design and have never looked back once! I started my Etsy site ChristineWallace.etsy.com back in March of 2010, but actually started listing in May 2010. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect before I ran with it.

How and when did you start making jewelry?

I actually started making jewelry when I was in my mid 20's. A friend and I would sit up together until the wee hours of the morning beading, creating, and designing, so we could take our creations down to her mom's artist community to sell them. I put my craft down for several years and picked it back up in early 2000 and haven't stopped since. I love every minute of my work! When I lay my head down on my pillow at night I'm usually conjuring up my next design for my Etsy store,ChristineWallace.etsy.com.

When and how did you find Etsy?

I had heard of Etsy through a couple of my friends, but never really pursued it until I saw the work of Amy Hanna on Etsy, whom I absolutely love. I had always just sold my work at a few of some local antique stores in the area in which I live. When I saw how cool the concept of Etsy actually was and experienced Etsy in someone's work that was relative to mine, I jumped on board as quick as I could. Not only did I feel it was a good way to reach a broader clientele with Christine Wallace Vintage Jewelry, but I also felt that existing in an artistic community would have a positive impact on my work. And it has! It has raised the bar for me to exceed all of my goals and aspirations.

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

I love everything about Etsy. I know that sounds corny but I do. I'm very proud to be part of such a creative community. My shop, ChristineWallace.etsy.com, is also something that I am very proud of. I think one of the most rewarding feelings that comes from Etsy is not a sale, but when a fellow artisan contacts me to give me a compliment or a pat on the back. Sometimes, just someone's kind words and compliments can inspire me to do the best creating.

What inspires you most in regards to your creations?

People and places from past and present inspire my work continuously. Mostly people and places from the past. Sometimes I feel like I missed my time era. I love the Art Deco and Victorian periods. Animals inspire my work heavily too. Probably 70 percent of the jewelry on my Etsy store, ChristineWallace.etsy.com at this very moment is inspired by an animal. I really love animals!! Another really important inspiration for me, is my Faith. There are a lot of crosses, doves, and inspirational designs in my store also. The common thread that runs through every single piece in my collection is the vintage element.

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

I actually have 2 pieces of late that are my favorite. The first is a necklace I named "Wild Horses" that I created using a vintage medal from Belgium with two horses galloping on the front of it. It was a simple design using a vintage rhinestone horseshoe and a vintage bronzed chain, but the detail on the medal evokes such emotion for the piece as a whole. The necklace sold really fast but you can still see a picture of it currently on my blog, ChristineWallaceVintageJewelry.blogspot.com. The second piece called the "Secret Prayer Kit" necklace was so much fun to make. It is asymmetrical in design (which I love) and is made with a vintage rosary box that I filled with little vintage religious findings on the inside. I just love having a hidden surprise in my designs. This necklace is currently still in my shop, ChristineWallace.etsy.com.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I want my shop ChristineWallace.etsy.com to reach a wider audience than what I have attained here in my hometown through my retail locations. And so far it has been working, although my store has gotten off to a slow start with sales, I have gained 79 fans from all over the country. I know 79 fans doesn't sound like a lot, when some shops have thousands, but I really feel Christine Wallace Vintage Jewelry is making its way in a community filled with so much incredible talent.

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

Some of the new designs I'm working on currently are with some beautiful antique treasures that a friend brought me back from the Paris, Venice, and Rome flea markets. She's such a great friend and I just love her. She goes to Europe once a year and brings back large containers of furniture and shops for small things for me. One other thing I am looking forward to for my Etsy shop, ChristineWallace.etsy.com for this Fall are some more European

treasures that I personally will be picking out. My sister will be moving from the states to Germany this month and I will be visiting her for two weeks in the Fall. We plan to jump on the trains of Europe and go Everywhere antiquing! She will also be opening a shop on Etsy in a few weeks to sell her vintage finds and treasures to other jewelry artists.

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

The most informational site to find out what I am currently working on and see where all my treasures are coming from is ChristineWallaceVintageJewelry.blogspot.com. I have so much fun with my blog and absolutely love blogging! It's like an acceptable way to brag on my work and my family(lol) and a great way to chronicle behind the scenes of my jewelry design process. I do currently have a free giveaway of several pieces of my jewelry going on right now on my blog. My website ChristineWallaceVintageJewelry.com is directly connected to my Etsy store, ChristineWallace.etsy.com. The only difference in my website and my Etsy site is that you can read a little more about me on my website than you can on Etsy, and you can find my retail locations on my website if you are ever in my neck of the woods, the beautiful beaches of the Florida panhandle!