Etsy Interview with Foxy Girl Boutique

I'm the creator of Foxy Girl Boutique. I grew up in a small country town in Oregon. My child hood was a happy one. I was given a horse for my 8th birthday and from that day on I was madly in equine love. I trained and competed with my horses all the way through college. I even was a rodeo princess. (I tell my daughter who is 4 and only believes that princesses wear dresses that I was a princess and I didn't have to wear dresses, but she just looks at me like I'm from Mars) I went to the local community college with dreams of one day being accepted into Veterinary school. Instead, I earned a degree in business.

After college, I met and married my husband Eric. He is a dryland wheat farmer and we live on the family farm in Prescott, Washington. A town so small that you literally blink and you've gone by it. It doesn't even have a real grocery store. I love small town life. We have no neighbors. It's quiet, it's simple and it's perfect. Together, we have two amazing kids, Kylie (4) who thinks she's a princess, and Preston (21 months) the resident terror.

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

I started making jewelry about 5 or 6 years ago. I bought a strand of beads from the local fair and made myself a necklace. People noticed it and I had several people offer to buy it. I thought, I can do more of these...and it started. I began dabbing in metalsmithing right after my son was born. I am completely self taught. Our small town and the small surrounding towns do not offer any classes so I've done it all on my own. I can look at something and pretty much figure out how it was made. Or, I drive myself crazy until I figure it out. I'm sure I do everything the hard way, but it works for me.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I was introduced to Etsy through a friend. I thought it sounded like a good outlet, so I gave it a try. My first Etsy shop was a flop. I was trying to fit into a market that was FLOODED and I had nothing unique to offer. When I started metalsmithing, I opened up Foxy Girl Boutique. I've treated this shop like my baby. I probably spend just as much time managing it as I do my kids. Luckily Etsy doesn't have a bedtime and I'm a nightowl.

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

I think the most unique part about Etsy, are all the fellow sellers. Everyone I've had contact with so far, has been absolutely amazing. I have yet to deal with a difficult etesian. I LOVE the Treasury! I don't really have time to surf the whole website and see whats out there. It's a great way to see what others have highlighted. It also helps me get ideas of what to shop for. Being featured in a Treasury totally makes my day!

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

That's a difficult one only because I have such an eclectic taste. I like just about everything. I get really inspired by fun color combinations and interesting and unique themes. I'll do a search for sterling silver charms and see what ones grab my attention. I've recently started creating themed pieces. My latest was the Coral Princess which is a sterling silver pendant that features a deep sea mermaid theme. I'm quickly becoming addicted to these. I have several in the works at the moment.

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

That is a really tough one because every time I make a new piece, it becomes my new favorite. I actually have a bit of separation anxiety when an item sells. I'd have to say that above all, the Turquoise rings are my most favorite. I think that is because Turquoise is my absolute all-time favorite stone.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I would love to be one of those shops that is featured on the front page several times a week. I see them all the time and wonder how in the world they've done it. I never want to make mass produced jewelry. I want my shop and my jewelry to stay unique. I'd love to be able to contribute to the family funds. The kids are going to be in school full-time in just a few years. I dream of being busy enough to justify staying home and making jewelry all day.

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

I almost always have something in the works. Right now I'm working on a couple of fun themed pendants. I try to complete a new project or put up a new listing everyday. My husband is in full wheat harvest right now, so my studio time has been reduced to Sunday afternoons only. It's been a struggle, but I keep a notebook handy to sketch my ideas down before they are lost.

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

Facebook.

Twitter.

Blog.

Flickr.