Etsy Interview with That's Original

I am Lucy Phelps, I Live in Epsom, Surrey in the UK. I'm also the creator of That's Original, an Etsy jewelry shop . My age...well a lady never discusses her age and so by this you will guess that I am no longer in my 20s and I prefer that it stays a mystery as you are the age you feel and to be honest I feel 22...so I am 22. I live with my husband and 4 very productive chickens.

I love creating things whether it is Jam or jewelery, and there is nothing better than seeing someone enjoy something that you have made...and I love the fact that my jewelery brings people allot of pleasure.

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

I started making jewelery when I was 7 when I was given a children's jewelery making kit for Christmas. I have been making jewelery for quite a few years now and I am self taught on most of the things I do but have some private teaching for Sterling silver and Lampwork bead making techniques.

I started That's Original 10 years ago part time, making jewelery and the occasional fascinator and tiara for friends and family along with my regular work. I chose the name That's Original because myself and my husband where trying out names we came up with some rubbish ones and some very common ones and My husband said sarcastically 'That's Original' and I thought 'PERFECT' it summed up my jewelery brilliantly as I try to come up with original designs, and use so many different materials i.e. semi precious stones, sterling silver, lampwork glass, wood and silver clay.

I decided after a shift in my priorities that I would focus on my business and I am pleased to say that That's Original is going from strength to strength along with Children's jewelery making parties that I run and I teach people how to make jewelery and run regular workshops.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I have only had an Etsy account since Sept 2009, and have only really been using it full time since Jan 2010. I was told about Etsy by a friend of mine who stumbled upon it and thought that it would be an ideal medium for me to showcase my jewelery new and vintage and to sell my beads.

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

I love Etsy as it is just like a proper shop as you can have a chat with your customers and answer any questions that they may have. The shop feels more personal than other sales sites.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I get inspired by the most obscure things, I could be digging in the garden and an idea will just pop into my head or a piece of fabric or clothing. Often I just sit in my workshop surrounded by beads and ideas come to me and often I don't even use the beads that I sat down with originally.

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

My most favorite thing I have created has to be a necklace that I wear allot that was inspired by a trip to India, I was given some wooden fabric stamps whilst I was there and I imprinted one of them (an elephant) onto silver clay, it brings back some great memories for me of a wonderful trip that flooded my senses with amazing smells, colors and people. I love making memory necklaces and whenever I go traveling I always buy beads and often make myself a piece to remind me of the place.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I would love to get to the position where I have regular customers, and a reputation for superb service and quality, I would also like to have lots of regular chats with my lovely visitors to find out exactly what they are looking for and what styles inspire their own jewelry/clothing choices.

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

I am always creating and I love restoring vintage pieces and so there are always new things popping up on my sites.

I create new jewelery collections for the change in seasons and my autumn/winter collection will be on my site towards the end of September, I would love to hear people's feedback as to what they think.

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

I have a website that has all of the jewelery that I have made www.thatsoriginal.co.uk you can also follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/TOjewellery and of course on my Etsy site! You can contact me via my Etsy site or my website www.thatsoriginal.co.uk as I love hearing from people and thrashing around ideas.