Etsy Interview with KSO Design

My name is Kelly S. O'Neill. I am a 44-year old woman from Hampton, Virginia. I've always been interested in art and eventually graduated from William and Mary in 1988 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, special emphasis work in ceramics and watercolor painting. While this was not the most expedient route to finding my way to becoming a graphic designer, it was an enjoyable journey. After taking a series of creative jobs -- an illustrator for a navy government contractor, working in the art department of a local printer, moving into museum work with the combination of print material design and assisting exhibit designers... I found myself with a breadth of experience in many areas and decided to open my own graphic design studio. With this move, in 2000, I established KSO Design. The clients have found me through word of mouth and I have plenty of work on diverse projects. I tell friends that if you can print on it, then I can design for it -- from a business card, to a billboard, or a bus. This continues to be "my real job" and I am thankful to have a creatively satisfying job.

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

My interest in making beaded jewelry came about in 1998 when I ran into a friend one day and she was wearing a funky watch. When I asked about it, she told me she'd taken a class on how to make a beaded watch band and that was the one she had crated. The following day I spent my lunch hour in The Bead Store, chatting with the owner, and signed up for the next beaded watch band class -- on the upcoming Saturday morning. I had my materials and picked up several watch faces that might be used in the class. I had a blast and got so excited about making these unique pieces that I bought up more beads, stringing supplies and watch faces and came home. I called all the women on my list to buy Christmas gifts for and called them, asking for them to measure their wrist and give me the measurement -- no questions asked. I created watches for all of my friends and family. By late on the night of the bead class day I had at least a dozen made. It was LOVE.

Friends started seeing my jewelry creations and wanted to buy them. I used money from those jewelry sales to finance my next bead purchases, and the next ones... I think of it as an addiction. When I sell items, then I can buy more beads! And make more jewelry! Everyone on my gift lists got jewelry. Occasionally I'd wonder if they'd had enough of it, but they always requested more. It seems the love of color in my graphic design work translates into beads -- but with a sparkle too!

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I was introduced to Etsy through a few friends. I joined in 2007 and used Etsy as a way to find some cool beads from other artists. Then in Spring 2010 my friends pushed me into the selling side with the shop KSO Design. It has really been a learning curve, but I've been pleased with the results so far. I am used to my creations being sold successfully in a few boutiques and a local contemporary art museum for over 10 years. The Etsy experience gives me a wider circle of clients. It has been rewarding to hear from purchasers who've told me how excited they were about the pieces. I got a note tonight from a woman who purchased a sea glass bracelet to give as a college graduation gift. When she saw the bracelet in person and tried it on, she loved it so much that she will be keeping it for herself and we're talking about what she might choose to give her graduate friend since she won't be getting the original bracelet.

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

I like that Etsy is focused on three areas: handmade items, vintage items, and craft supplies. This keeps it from being like Ebay, where so many people shop for things they can get for a great deal. Handmade items are little works of art to the artists and should be priced accordingly. People who place value on handmade items can shop through some of the most beautiful assortment of things. I also enjoy the conversations with clients before and after they purchase -- or if they just have a question about an item. The community seems very friendly and that makes a big difference to me. I want to spend my life interacting with happy people with positive energy and attitudes. They're contagious in a wonderful way.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

The beads themselves speak to me. They lead me to what they want to become. The colors, textures and materials vary so much! I have definite favorites in the types of beads I'm drawn toward. My favorites are: Bali sterling silver beads crafted in Indonesia; Furnace Glass beads from a wonderfully talented artist, Ricky Bernstein, in Massachusetts; imported Murano Venetian Glass Beads in a wide variety of shapes and colors; and lastly, Swarovski Crystals in dazzling color combinations and different shapes. Most of my pieces end up containing "happy colors" and I've never been shy when it comes to using color -- in beading or graphic design! The other inspiration for me can be pages in catalogs or magazines. I will rip out pages where I like the colors in a rug, painting, background and tuck them away. If my brain gets stuck and I need a jump-start, then I pull out those inspiration sheets and look at the colors in whatever item caught my eye. I'll find beads in those colors, usually add a matte and a shiny finish and combine it with a metal for interest. I use the same technique for my graphic design inspiration when I need something fresh.

What is your favorite piece you have created and why?

I'm not sure I have only one favorite. They're like children in that you can love one without taking love away from others. The love just blooms on some of them. I can't keep one of everything, but here are a few that I've had to make a version for my own collection:

I like the Bali silver chunky bracelets for their handwork and texture by the artists in Bali. With these larger sized beads, the bracelet ends up being a statement piece.

I also love my large Swarovski crystal necklace with a focal pendant I made up of many different crystal beads. I topped it with a pretty Bali bead where it connects to the simple chain. The contrast of the BLING with the simple nature of the design makes it a piece I can wear formally or with jeans.

Then I love my colorful furnace glass necklace, bracelet and earrings for their vibrant colors. The slices of glass used in the bracelet give it a cool touch and great feel against my skin while I wear it. The colors go well with my beachy lifestyle and casual clothes from Fresh Produce or the Life Is Good collection. My friends call them "Kelly Colors"! The Veneitan glass beads also work well with this style. They can be dressed up or worn poolside with your flip flops. Why not?!

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

Basically what I'm doing now but with a little more regular traffic/purchases at KSO Design. I'm not looking to give up my graphic design career, but I'd love to have income to purchase more beads and continue creating. The excitement that my pieces are being proudly worn somewhere else in the country is very gratifying to me. I feel a connection to the pieces and then to the person who loves it as much as I did.

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

I am beginning to gear up for my annual holiday show in November and I'm very interested in some of the longer ear wires. They give the earrings a distinctly stylish look. I expect to renew my interest in clear sparkly crystals and expand on the necklace series I've been making. the Bali silver is calling me to order more and possibly combine it with some chunky crystals or interesting pearls. The Venetian glass necklace series with the clasp in the front, clustered with bead dangles, will get more of my attention. And after those... I'll wait for new inspirations to filter into my head. Look for these newer styles to be making their way to my Etsy shop KSO Design.

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 not presently have a blog or website beyond my Etsy shop, so it is the best place to find my creations. If anyone is interested in finding out more about a piece or has a question, they can convo me through the Etsy site.