Etsy Interview with Sublime Sundries

I've lived in Oregon all my life, I was born in Dallas and grew up in Harrisburg. I was raised primarily by my grandmother. She was my role model for all things artistic. It was from her that I learned that a person can make anything they want, they just have to figure out the best way. I attended Linn-Benton Community College and got my Associates in Fine Art in 2008, although print design was my main priority. I currently live in Sweet Home, OR.

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

I don't even remember how old I was when I started making jewelry. It's literally been almost my whole life. You could say I had a renewed interest in it about 3 years ago when I found a great bead shop in Eugene, OR. I love that when making jewelry there are endless combinations. I started making wine stoppers about a year ago. I found a bunch of old door knobs and cleaned them up, painted them, made them into stoppers and then tied them around the necks of wine bottles and gave them as gifts at Christmas time, they were a hit. I also learned how to knit and crochet about a year ago so I have knit and crochet projects on Sublime Sundries as well as paintings.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I actually just found Etsy about two months ago. I've had my own Sublime Sundries site for quite a while and I heard about Etsy through word of mouth when I was at a coffee shop. I hadn't been getting a lot of traffic on my own site so I decided to try it out and post a few items. It's been absolutely fantastic, I've made some sales and it's also increased the traffic on my own site. http://web.me.com/jbrass/sublimesundries.

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

Etsy is unique because so much is handmade, that's what I enjoy about it. I enjoy browsing on Etsy and knowing that other sellers are much like myself and they just want to share their creativity with others. In regards to Sublime Sundries I like Etsy because it really allows me to get an idea of how customers feel about some of my items compared to others, it lets me get an inside view of how many times one item has been viewed vs. another. It's also given me a ton of tools to improve Sublime Sundries and improve my sales.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I think what inspires me most right now is when I walk through and old house and I just can't take my eyes off of the gorgeous door knobs and I think "Gosh, wouldn't that look great on top of a wine bottle!". I really get inspired when I browse around for old treasures, whether it be for jewelry or for wine stoppers. I love making new treasure out of old. As for my knit creations I'm like most girls who see something another girl has on and I want one, then I just go and try to create it. I try to never buy something that I can attempt to make.

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

My favorite piece on Sublime Sundries at the moment is probably my Rock Your Socks painting. I love painting stripes, the twists and turns and changes in value, I love to look at the bright and beautiful colors. It makes me happy. All of my door knob stoppers and my Little Knitted Elephant tie for second.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I hope that Sublime Sundries will allow me to get my name out there and share my stuff with the world. I know that when I buy something handmade I get a lot of enjoyment out of it, I just like the chance to be on the other side and know that buyers get enjoyment out of my creations. It makes me proud.

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

I always have wine stoppers in the works and there's never any two that are alike! I also have some knit items that I plan on posting soon, and I'm sure there will be some more jewelry as well. I sold my favorite knit elephant about a month ago and I would love to attempt to make another of those soon as well. And I'm always open to making custom items at Sublime Sundries so Alchemy requests are welcome!

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

Be sure to join the mailing list on my Sublime Sundries website.

Facebook and Twitter.