Etsy Interview with Mei Gui Designs

My name is Julie Rose and my shop is Mei Gui Designs. My shop name comes from the chinese word for rose pronounced "may-gwee". My husband and I feel a special connection with China as we have two wonderful daughters who we adopted from China. I live near Dayton, Ohio and work full time as a literacy intervention specialist in the public school system. I feel very lucky to have such a great job in these hard times. Mei Gui Designs is my way of having a creative outlet and to earn some money as well. I have had my shop going since April 2009 and am just loving it!

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

I have always loved being "crafty". I grew up learning a lot from my mother. She would sew our clothes, make quilts, tat pillowcases, garden, paint, knit, crochet and just about everything. Anyway, I started making purses at first by upcycling old clothing. I got into embroidering and applique and just loved it. I really did not have any interest in making jewelry, but I got hooked on the supplies and beads and have been going crazy with it ever since.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I found Etsy through the recommendation of a friend in March 2009. I started by shopping on Etsy first and then decided to give it a try to sell my purses.

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

I love everything about Etsy. It is so user friendly and for someone who really wants to have a shop to sell their craft, it is perfect. It's like Etsy is an employee of Mei Gui Designs! It does all the "paperwork" for keeping account of sales, expenses, purchases and so on. It's great and it keeps getting better and better. Just since I joined in 2009, many improvements have been made and the Etsy staff works hard to really make it easy sellers and buyers.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I feel like this is something I am suppose to do. It is part of who I am and it makes me so happy to create beautiful things. That being said, I do get very inspired by being with and communicating with other artists and from perusing Etsy suppliers' shops. It's great to connect with other artists/sellers through the forums and by making treasuries. I have also been complimented by other artists who add Mei Gui Designs to their treasuries. Lastly, I would have to say that I am inspired by my customers. When someone actually pays money for one of my pieces, it is the greatest compliment of all and it inspires me to want to create something else that they might like.

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

Well, it's hard to pick one favorite piece. I love them all. However, I am really into using the recycled Sari silk right now and I love all my new Sari pieces. They are so colorful and the silk is so versatile. Mei Gui Designs currently has about four or five Sari silk pieces.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

That's a good question. So far I would have to say that Mei Gui Designs has been for my own creative outlet. I suppose it would be great to be able to be a top seller! I just haven't thought that far down the road. When I retire from teaching, I'd like to really focus more on Mei Gui Designs.

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

As I mentioned before, I am really into the Sari silk right now. I am also hoping to get back into some sewing and make some more purses and checkbook jackets.

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

Well, I'm not a blogger but I do have my items on facebook. I also use craftjuice.com. As far as specials, I do have sales from time to time.