Etsy Interview with Jewelry by Patti Ann

My name is Patti Ann and my Etsy shop is Jewelry By Patti Ann. I was born and raised in Massachusetts, and have two adult sons. I moved out to the west coast in 2004, lived a year in Mt Shasta, CA and have lived in Klamath Falls, Oregon for the last five years. I live with my husband Doug, and our three cats, and I work part time as a caregiver with the elderly.

I have been into metaphysics and spirituality for over 30 years and from that I have written a paranormal romance novel. I have always felt this creativity burning inside me, and even though I have a couple of other novels started, writing just doesn't fulfill that need. Once I learned bead weaving and jewelry making I realized this was the creative outlet I have always needed.

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

Shortly before I moved out to the west coast I saw that a bead store was going to open in my area. Somehow that stuck in my mind as something to eventually learn. When I moved to Oregon in 2005 I saw the local college was offering a beading class. I took the class and that was it! I had found my passion and addiction! My beading teacher also became my friend, and now I help out her elderly aunt.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

It wasn't long after I started bead weaving I began Googling everything on handcrafted jewelry and found a jewelry forum where Etsy was mentioned. I briefly checked it out, but I was really set on having my own website. A couple of years went by and I checked it out again. I decided this was the way to go in the meantime. Pattimacs was born February 2008.

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

Etsy is full of so many talented people from all over the world. You can spend hours looking at all the beautiful shops, and you can find so many unique things that you would never find in a department store or anywhere else.
Also, Etsy makes it so easy to set up your own shop. They make improvements all the time to make it even easier. I love that after you've sold an item you can just re-list again with one click!

The forums are a great source of info on nearly everything. You can find all kinds of info on business, help with your site, promoting your shop...you name it. Lots of wonderful people! I love my Etsy shop!

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Probably color. I'll see certain colors together in a tee shirt, a piece of fabric, a painting...I saw a beautiful quilt one day and knew I just had to put those colors together in a piece of jewelry, and of course the beads themselves. I love seed beads. It's something you get addicted to and have to buy. So many beads, so little time!

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

Honestly, I didn't have to think too long about this. It's really nothing out of the ordinary, but I would have to say my funky fringe bracelet as a "made to order" item because I decided to keep the original for myself. Also, a pair of violet bugle bead earrings.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

Well, I plan to be there for many years to come. I want to keep offering pretty jewelry pieces that are affordable and fun. Something you can wear to the office as well as out dancing at the club!

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

Well, I will be taking a break from bead weaving for a little while, and start dabbling a bit with resin. I've had this in the back of my mind for quite sometime. I just purchased a book and a set of molds, and there are more tools and items to purchase, but I can't wait to start experimenting. I've been doing a lot of research online and also in the Etsy forums for info. I want to learn as much as I can before I get started. I have several types of pendants and a couple of other items in mind. Providing all goes well I hope to have these in my Etsy shop by late fall.

I'm sure in between resin dabbling I will take time out to make more earrings and multi strand necklaces, and you might find a couple of new styles. Being that seed beads are my first love I can't stay away too long!

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

I do have a blog that I have not written anything on in months, but I do have lots of jewelry photos there that I don't have listed on Etsy. Maybe this will light a fire to start blogging again.

Also a Facebook Fan page.

I have not been on Myspace much lately but I do have lots of jewelry photos there also.