Etsy Interview with KJEwelry

I am a daughter, sister and wife and have lived in the Midwest all of my life. My husband and I have 2 cats and love living in the Iowa Great Lakes area of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. I am the CEO of a non-profit organization and have always done some kind of art or craftwork in addition to sports since I was a small child. I have a business degree and have worked in the private sector my entire career.

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

I started making jewelry for myself in 2003-2004. I frequently browsed and bought jewelry and other items at local, juried art fairs and enjoyed having such a different selection and quality versus what could be found in a retail shop or department store. I kept making jewelry and had a desire to start a new hobby and possibly a hobby business so sought the feedback of friends and co-workers about some of the jewelry I had made and just kept making more. Soon it took over my kitchen, I was holding trunk shows and it kept growing. I created the name of my business in 2004 - KJEwelry, using my initials - established a website, began to participate in gem and jewelry shows and kept perfecting my work. I took my first jewelry-making class in 2006 and discovered a great product called precious metal clay (PMC). I have now completed two certification classes, taking the third one in September and have had a lot of fun creating pendants, bracelets and more using the silver PMC product. You will find my items made from PMC at KJEwelry. I have also taken classes to learn to wire wrap stones. I use only semi-precious stones and often search for the most unique stones I can find to use for pendants as well as an entire necklace or bracelet.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I had read an article about Etsy in 2007 in one of my art jewelry magazines. I had a website but it was difficult to update and to set-up a credit card payment system and cost more than I wanted to invest each month. I set-up my Etsy store - KJEwelry - in January 2008.

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

What I appreciate most about Etsy is the name reputation it has made for itself and how easy it is to start a shop, find other supplies or goods that can be used, and maintain the website. It is really simple, does not require a great deal of time or any special computer skills. I use it mostly to showcase the work that KJEwelry currently has available - it is my current catalogue.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

What inspires me the most in creating pieces for KJEwelry is often the semi-precious stone(s) I am working with. But I also will do work in themes such as leaves from my yard using the PMC paste, or often times an ocean life theme. This summer I created an ocean life collection for KJEwelry which included 6 items incorporating different types of pearls and another ocean life piece like a starfish or oyster. A portion of the proceeds is being donated the Ducks Unlimited Gulf Oil Spill Clean-up Fund. A couple of other inspirations come from re-using something old. I have done several pieces that incorporates old foreign coins that I have had for years from international travel (the coins are no longer in circulation) as well as scrap metal such as copper. They have been very popular items for KJEwelry the past two years.

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

That's a tough one. I love jewelry and rarely leave home without wearing any! My favorite would have to be one of the leaf pendants I have made in the past few years. Using the PMC paste, a dozen or so layers are applied to the back side of a leaf and when it is dried and fired, the leaf matter burns away and you're left with a beautiful metal leaf which I have incorporated into necklaces and earrings, even really small ones for charms. My favorite would have to be the sage leaf which I paired with some champagne pearls. If you know what the texture of sage leaves are like, you would be impressed with the detailed texture of the leaf that came through the PMC. It is beautiful, simple and could be adorned with any special beads or just alone as a pendant on a chain or choker and is very striking. Other leaves for KJEwelry have included columbine, geranium, mum, mint, maple and astilbe leaves. Some photos are attached.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I want KJEwelry to be accessible to those who do not reside or visit this tourist/resort area of northwest Iowa. While I had planned to do a number of art fairs around the Midwest and thought I would be in numerous shops, I am not yet able to quit my day job to devote the time this would require. So having an online presence for KJEwelry through Etsy is very convenient and affordable and allows me to show examples of my work to people all over the world.

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

I attend several gem and jewelry shows in Tucson each winter and search for unique stones and cuts of stones. I have been wire-wrapping some very unique and gorgeous stones for this summer and fall but may not part with all of them! I have some wonderful pieces that include Red Creek Jasper (which I purchased for the first time this year), just finished beautiful wire-wrapped pendants of Arizona Tiger Eye, Purpurite, Stichtite, Poppy Jasper, Druzy Agate, Montana Agate and Sun Jade. I love them all and will be showcasing them in August.

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

Find out more about KJEwelry through my etsy shop - www.kjewelry.etsy.com. I also have a KJEwelry page on Facebook and have information online through one of the galleries where KJEwelry is sold - A Piece of Work in Spirit Lake, Iowa - www.apieceofworkinc.com.