Etsy Interview with Madie Design Studio

My name is Madie Celeste Becker, creator of Madie Design Studio. I am a full time artist and interior designer living in New Jersey with my loving and supportive husband Chris. We own a three story small colonial home with a small porch, deck and white picket fence, I use of the room in the house as my art studio. My formal education is Fine Arts major in Interior Design my previous profession was assistant director of interior design in an architectural firm in New Jersey. I lived and worked in Africa for a year and Singapore for nine years and visited a few countries in Asia. I have attended course in basic pottery and metal-smithing. My crafts are jewelry and accessories, paper cuts and collage, photography and abstract paintings. I participate in local arts and craft shows and won a few awards on my paper collages, love collecting different collage materials, washi and chiyogami papers from Japan, horse paintings, pottery and Indonesian and American Indian art.

I came from a family of artists, both of my grandfathers were musicians and carpenters. My father is a carpenter, furniture specialist and inventor of woodworking machineries in which I learned some basic carpentry from him. My mom, she is super crafty. She owns a tailoring and a dress shop. All my dresses are all handmade. In our home all our table cloths, pillow cases are handmade and even our curtains were crochet. She taught me sewing, cooking and basic home economics. She loved collecting classic fine jewelry and buys loose gemstones, designs it and ask a goldsmith to set it for her. I gained experience in creating bridal accessories for relatives and friends on their weddings. Our wedding last year was all handmade by myself from the invitations, programs, place cards, flower girls baskets, hair accessories and beaded my wedding gown.

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

In 2007 a friend gave me a basic jewelry making course at her house and enjoyed the process and started collecting tools, gemstones and components to make simple jewelry. I like giving my handmade jewelry to friends and received a lot of compliments. After a year with confidence started home shows, participate in craft shows and now have two stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that sells my jewelry and crafts. I have 3 stores in Etsy, Madie Design Studio (jewelry) Casa Moda (bridal jewelry and accessories) and Ladypainter (art and accessories).

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I have purchased a few wood collage pieces from and artist and he sent me an email that he moved to a new on-line store in Etsy. I loved the store, created an account and visit to see what is trending and buy supplies, chat and look for helpful tips on crafting.

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

I joined Etsy in 2008, sold a few pieces and on April this year started actively selling. Majority of my visit before was to purchase supplies and look at tips, forums, chat and read blogs from artist. I have also a couple of artist I know personally that have shops in Etsy. I like the diversity of the site and the support that artist gets from the administration, reading tips on creating, selling and promoting and artists that shares their inspiring and success stories. Love the part when a thing you created become a favorite of buyer, seller or artist or added to a treasury list by another Etsy member.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Life, love, nature and people. I love to travel and find inspiration in places, events and learning from people their cultures and beliefs. Trees and birds are my favorite some of them reflects on my jewelry and artworks. When I gather all my findings and materials I will study their textures, shapes and colors and experiment the arrangements. I try to make each piece simple and unique. Every work is a challenge to me and when it is done I do a little critiquing if I am not satisfied I will ask my husband opinion or a friend.

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

My favorite pieces are earrings in floral brass teardrop and flying birds, rectangular copper drop with simple turquoise beads, classic vintage look brass with hand blown glass and button rings which is my best selling piece on my Etsy store and craft shows. Creating simple jewelry with small charms, beads, findings and mixing different finishes makes it more interesting and unique and buyers like them.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I wish to accomplish that I will have more inventory of simple, creative, unique jewelry and accessories with different price points for buyers in my Etsy stores. Hope to generate more sales and have satisfied buyers in my stores. I always believe in quality over quantity and buyers notice that from my store. I have to like my work first before I sell them at my stores and shows.

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

Currently I am developing more whimsical jewelry using trees, birds and fireflies, works with pearls and crystals and experimenting on mixing different metal finishes. I am also working on expanding my selection adding more brooches and hairpieces and to my stores.

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

My Etsy stores are Madie Design Studio, Casa Moda, and Lady Painter. For more information about me, news and updates, you can visit
my personal website at www.madieceleste.com and you can also follow me on Facebook at Madie Design Studio.