Etsy Interview with FactoryGirlAshli

I'm typically a boring person. But other people have fun with me. I'm not really sure why, though. I went to culinary school after high school mainly because I wanted to study a program that was creative and hands on. After I graduated, I got married young to my high school sweetheart, and we adopted a cat. We've been married for a little over a year and now live in our dream home waiting to fill it with babies.

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

I've always been crafting and drawing since I was little (thanks to my mother) but I didn't get started making jewelry for factorygirlashli until last August. My husband introduced me to Etsy the summer before we got married, and I used it as the main wedding planning tool for our wedding (both buying accessories and gathering inspiration). After we got married, I had a very part time cake decorating job and picked up jewelry and accessory making to pass the time.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

As stated before, my husband actually introduced it to me. He was googling skeleton key jewelry and discovered the site. He bought me an Alice in Wonderland necklace from a shop that is now closed the summer before we got married, and we both fell in love with the site.

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

I love the look and feel of Etsy. It has such a clean and creative aesthetic that turns on both buyers and sellers. In regards to my shop, I love how everything is set up.... I just have to add items and fill out my profile and policies and voila... my little internet store is ready.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I love old fashioned things. I'm inspired whenever I see a broken piece of vintage jewelry that needs a new life.... or a forgotten material that can be reborn into something new and beautiful. I spend a lot of time browsing through vintage image and graphic websites gathering inspiration, as well as walking through flea markets and antique shops to remind myself of the look and feel that I desire for factorygirlashli.

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

Right now, my favorite is this Owl Cloisonne Necklace that I made for autumn.

I just love the colors and the rustic feel to it. I had mostly owls and birds when I opened my shop, then deviated away for awhile, and now I'm bringing them back for fall, and I'm just in love!

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

Right now, I'm aiming for 1000 sales. I don't have a timeline or anything for it, although I would like to see it happen by the end of 2011. Although this isn't directly related to my shop, I'm currently challenging myself to make an Etsy treasury a day for 365 days. I'm on day 77 at my blog: http://treasuredyear.blogspot.com/

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

I'm already starting to get the shop ready for autumn.... so factorygirlashli shoppers can expect more owls, rustic colors, and spookier/gothic themes.

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

Blog: http://factorygirlashli.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/factorygirlashli