Etsy Interview with Jahnavi Designs

Hi, I'm Rajani Karnick owner of the Etsy shop known as Jahnavi Designs and Jhumkas, mother to my little girl Rhea, wife, a convert from Iyengar to Ashtanga yoga and a strong believer of local organic food. I love rainy days and to watch the river flow.

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

I always loved jewelry, growing up in India most jewelry is custom made and you get a chance to design your bracelets or earrings, I quit my job (IT professional) in 2005 after my daughter was born and decided to make some earrings, visited my local gem/jewelry supplies shop, and have not stopped since, and that's how Jahnavi Designs evolved.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I was looking to buy some hand made toys for my little girl on the internet , that did n't have chemicals and lead free, and was extremely delighted to find Etsy in August of 2006.

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

I love that it has a world wide interface, you can buy wire from Thailand, gems from India and chandeliers from Bali , the real neat thing is you can buy all your shop supplies be it from business cards - gems - banner - in short one stop shopping - most of Jahnavi Designs supplies for my recent creations are bought from the Etsy community. I don't have to deal with vendors outside of it and they are PayPal secured.

The feature I love the most is the jewelry showcase - which help bring in new customers.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Being from India, almost everything about India is a huge inspiration. The vibrant colors of the indian saree's , the regal mughal jewelry and the flamboyant bird the peacock - which is the bird of India, inspiring jewelers for centuries and of course nature.

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

I love all my pieces at Jahnavi Designs, every single of them, if I have to name one then it is the Rama earrings, it is a very luxourious opulent cascade of peridots and London Blue Topaz gemstones, in sterling silver - mainly because it is inspired by a saree my mother used wear when I was a child, and love how it turned out. The Jaipur chandeliers with rose quartz and turquoises are among the favorite as well.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

My goal is to make more people in the west be aware of the beauty of the Indian Jewelry , I have started making Jhumkas (bell shaped earrings) , that are an ancient east Indian classic. These are loved and widely popular in India and a single piece of jewelry every girl in India owns (in silver/gold/diamonds/copper-gold plated/clay).

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

When I started making jewelry it was more on a whim(with the inspirations of colors from Indian saree's) lately I have been making Indian jewelry - Jhumkas, and will be introducing the hoop jhumkas in Mid August , these are as the name suggests a large hoop decked with tiny bells that tinkle softly and the center of the hoop is a bell shaped jhumkas adorned with more tiny bells.

In addition more timeless gem studded hoops and loops with an east Indian flare (emeralds/green amethyst mixed with pearls. Rubies with pearls/diamonds, the navaratna - 9 precious gemstones (blue sapphire corals, cat's eye, diamonds, emeralds, hessonite garnets, pearls, rubies and yellow sapphire) in combination. You will find these at jahnavidesigns.etsy.com and at jhumkas.etsy.com.

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

Please follow JahnaviDesigns on Facebook, twitter and Kaboodle. Jahnavidesigns is also on 1000 markets and on zibbet at http://www.zibbet.com/jahnavidesigns. Discount and e-coupons information is usually on the top of the website, you can also send in an conversation.