Etsy Interview with Treasured Accents

Well, my name is Cathi and I'm an Air Force Wife, mom and Nana. I'm also the creator of Treasured Accents. I enjoy doing all types of crafts, but have really enjoyed working with beads, primarily crystals, semi precious beads and stone, metals and glass.

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

I started in July 2009. We had just moved to Alabama from Arkansas, I was unemployed and didn't know anyone. So while at the craft store one day I got to looking for something to do.....Saw the beads and found a bead kit on clearance. I decided why not, it's something to do. Little did I know that a year later I would still be beading and own TONS of beads and beading supplies. I don't remember what totally drew me to the jewelry making, I've often thought about that and just can't remember.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I found Etsy last year when someone on FB was posting his wife's site on there. I made my first Etsy purchase just this month.

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

I really started looking at Etsy last year, primarily just surfing it. What I like most about Etsy is I can list an item for one very low price and it stays on Etsy for 4 months and I love it!

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

I love colors and I love sparkle and sheen. I love the textures of the beads and stones I work with. I'm not sure what really inspires me, I'm the kind of person that will be sitting there and just jump up and run to my craft room and start creating. Some days I'm on the roll, other day I don't go near it. I'm not much for patterns, kind of like when I make a quilt, it just pops in my head and I go from there. I look at magazines and surf the internet to find color combinations and inspiration. It's amazing the color combinations that I have found that I had never really given any thought to.

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

Hmmm, that's a tough one. I don't know that I have one favorite piece. I do love making the little girl sets, and that's because I like to see the big smile on their face when they get their own jewelry.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

Jewelry making is kind of like therapy for me. LOL I just wanted an outlet for sharing my pieces with other and the economy being what it is I like to keep them affordable. Not to mention that my husband has pushed me to do something with all the jewelry I've made.

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

Well, since I've been creating for a year now and have not sold any of my pieces on line until now I have probably close to 100 pieces to add to my site. Currently I'm thinking holidays....fall and Christmas seasons. So be on the lookout for more of those to come.

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

Other than Etsy I don't have any other sites at this time, I am however on facebook. (Cathi Nolan Phillips). I actually shared my site on FB for the first time recently. My friends are shocked to find I make jewelry. LOL They all know I go hide in my craft room, they just didn't know what I was doing in there. I will be looking to create other blogs as well.