Etsy Interview with Rose of the Mire

My name is Aislynn, and I reside in Northern California with my family. We moved out west about 7 years ago from Florida, where I spent most of my life. However, I feel much more at home here than I ever felt there. I'm also the creator of the Etsy shop Rose of the Mire.

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

I have always had an interest in jewelry and adornment. My first adventures in jewelry making began about the age of 4 or 5, when I asked for a rock tumbler (a kiddee version) for Christmas. With this I made stone pendants and keychains, which were all the rage in the 70's. From an early age I had a keen interest in other eras, and as a young teen I collected vintage jewelry and clothing. I had one 1950's pot metal necklace that I was especially fond of. Part of it broke one day, and I had to refashion it so I could continue to wear it. Not long after that I began beading and jewelry making as a hobby. In 1997 I became employed as a jewelry designer for a shop at MGM Studios, Florida. Within a year, I had started my own professional jewelry line and began selling online. Over the next decade I sold my wares over the internet, on consignment at boutiques, and wholesale to retailers.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I saw an ad for Etsy in a crafting magazine in 2007. By then I had been selling online for 8 years or so, and I thought I'd give it a whirl.

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

Etsy has a tremendous amount of traffic, and so many diverse artists and craftspeople. I don't think any of the current online handmade marketplaces can touch Etsy in this regard. What I love about Etsy is it has allowed for a more personal interaction between me and my customers, which one doesn't readily get on Ebay or a home website. Users post their profiles, often their pictures, and the convo feature invites a level of familiarity I haven't seen anywhere else. I've met some wonderful people there.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I am mostly inspired by classic Hollywood and Art Nouveau and Symbolist art. I love Victoriana, and the exotic adornments of the tribal cultures of the Middle East. Books about historical jewelry and costuming are a valuable source of inspiration. Everything I make I would wear myself. I've never been inclined to follow trends and I believe it's important to allow your own individual aesthetic to define your work. You may not appeal to the mass market, but there will be those who appreciate your uniqueness. Rose of the Mire is a syncretization of what I find most beautiful and feminine.

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

I can't say that I have a favorite piece in particular, but the rhinestone headpieces and slave bracelets are probably my favorite products. I haven't seen anything quite like them anywhere else, so something that sets Rose of the Mire apart is definitely a good thing.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I'd like to continue to grow my brand and hopefully someday open my own brick and mortar Rose of the Mire studio.

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

I always have new creations in my head, it's finding the time to actualize them that I need! I will be focusing mostly on headpieces and hair jewelry for a while.

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

You can find me at my website www.roseofthemire.com, roseofthemire.etsy.com, and if you join my brand new facebook page, facebook.dj/roseofthemirejewelry, you will receive exclusive offers and discounts. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this interview, and to extend my gratitude to all my clients who have allowed to me do what I love for all these years.