Etsy Interview with Simple Serendipity

Hmm. Where to start?

I'm 34 years old, but swear that I still feel like I'm in my early 20's. Does anyone else have that problem? I'm married to the hardest working man I know and I love him for it. He works so hard to give me a beautiful life. We have 3 little boys, (who are wearing me out at the moment--insert dark circles and blood shot eyes.) ages 7, 5, and 10 months. I've been a stay at home mom since I had our first son, which also coincided with moving across country away from family for my husband to attend graduate school. Seven years later, we still live on the other side of the country, just bought our first (fixer-upper) home, and are coming to know the joys of student debt repayment. Did I say joy? Hence, the reason for my little Etsy shop, Simple Serendipity.

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

I started making jewelry 4 years ago when a friend invited me over to a girls night out at her house. Little did I know when I left the house that night, I would return with a tiny spark kindled inside me. Little did my husband know how much of his future earnings would be spent on building up my supply of beads. (Wink. Wink.) Had he done so, he might not have encouraged me to get out of the house for that little girls night out gathering.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

One day my friend, Jen stopped by my house. She was wearing a beautiful necklace. When I asked her where she got it she said, "Etsy"! I said, "Huh?" That is when she unfolded a new world to me. After she left, I quickly ran to my computer to check out this new world called Etsy and I've been in love ever since. Well, as much in love as you can be with a website.

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

I'll tell you what I love about Etsy. I love that it is like going to a big, huge, virtual craft convention center with a million little booths of handmade delights. Most of all, I love that I can go to the convention center without having to run around looking for 3 crazy boys hiding under tables and in between clothing racks. See what I mean? Amazing. I should pay Etsy for not having to bring my kids to go shopping.

What I love about Etsy in regards to my shop is that I don't have to put too much effort in finding customers. They're already there, I just have to allure them to my shop, Simple Serendipity. What sets my shop apart from the others is that EVERYTHING in my shop is $5 and under. After spending so many years in graduate school, with a VERY tight budget, I know how it feels to not feel like you can spend any money on yourself. I want women who are in that situation to feel like they can buy something to make them feel a little more feminine, and not break the bank.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I'm a simple kind of girl. Sometimes less is better when it comes to jewelry. One can make a fashion statement without needing a neon sign and flashing arrow. Simple does not mean blah, though. I love color, beautiful, bright colors. Lime green is my current color of choice. Who knows what will be next.

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

My favorite piece has to be my Simple Marie earrings. They are beautiful white round beads with dark blue flowers. When I saw these beads, I was taken back to memories of my Grandma Marie. She was Dutch and she had a lot of dutch blue ceramic pieces in her home. My favorite were the square tiles of windmill scenes she had hanging on her wall just outside her bedroom door. I love when I see something that instantly takes me back to a beautiful memory of my childhood. These beads did just that. So, it was only appropriate that I name the earrings after her.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

Honestly, there are amazing artists who showcase their work on Etsy. I don't consider myself one of them. I just love making things with my hands. Making jewelry relaxes me, so Simple Serendipity doesn't feel like a "job" to me. Like I said before, I want women to feel like they can break out of their jewelry rut and add little punches of color to dress up their wardrobe, without paying the price to do so. I want people coming to my shop, Simple Serendipity, knowing they will get a good deal on something really cute. Doesn't everyone love something like that?

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

I've got lots of new earrings in the works. Who knows how soon I can get them posted in the shop, since my camera just gave up the ghost TODAY! What's up with that?

I just added hand stamped initial pendants to my shop and I'm working on some sea glass creations, made from sea glass collected by my boys during our "hunting for kryptonite" walks on the nearby Lake Erie beach.
And, I just opened up another Etsy shop to sell items that are not under $5.00 . The new shop is called Adorable Jane.

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'm always posting giveaways and special offers on my blog.