Interview with ChelseaRainbow from Etsy

This interview with Jacqueline, a jewelry maker from ChelseaRainbow on Etsy, shows us her passion and drive for creating fashion forward jewelry.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your Etsy shop.

My name is Jacqueline and I'm the owner of ChelseaRainbow. I live in New York City, one of the most vibrant urban cities of the world and also the capital of fashion. You may not be able to afford a designer dress, but you can always find my fashion forward jewelry to update your own looks and my elegant home decor accessories to enhance your home.

What inspires you to create?

Trend forward stones and beads with bold colors inspire me, and I'm always thrilled to discover a new or unusual color palette. I create jewelry and home decor accessories that are accessible to both casual crafts enthusiasts and serious collectors.

Describe your creative process.

What are some of your own favorite creations?

Amethyst Beaded Necklace with Brilliant Crystal Daggers
Sterling Silver Pink Agate Choker Necklace
Pastel Shell and Orange Agate Beaded Necklace and Earrings Set
Citrine and Silver Beaded Choker Necklace and Earrings Set

How do you want your craft and business to evolve?

I would like my craft and business to evolve in a fashion forward way. I have always loved jewelry and I love the relationship that women have with their jewelry. It makes us feel beautiful, feminine, and powerful. It affects us in many ways, and even if a piece does not cost thousands of dollars, it is still precious to us.

What or who influences you as an artisan?

I am influenced by today's trends in fashion. In Style, Vogue, and all the other fashionistas say jewel tones are smokin', Bohemian is hot, beiges and neutrals are cool, Chanel knockoffs knock our socks off, and florals make romantic statements. We may all want "the look," but we can't all buy a new wardrobe every time the calendar changes. But we can afford a stunning piece of jewelry to stay on trend...and that's what Chelsea Rainbow is all about!

What brings people to seek out your creations and what makes your work unique?

At ChelseaRainbow, you will find a wonderful world of handcrafted semi-precious stone jewelry, precious metal jewelry, and beaded necklaces, beaded earrings, beaded bracelets created for day into evening wear. My home decor accessories are designed for elegant home occasions. Also check out my knitting and crochet items for you crafty types.

What choices have you made that helped your business the most?

I just moved my shop and changed my shop name to let me promote my work in a more trend-forward fashion. Also, I have learned a lot about SEO to be able to get noticed not only in the Etsy community but on Google as well. My old shop was focused primarily on jewelry, but I make work that includes home décor accessories and craft supplies so my new shop, ChelseaRainbow has a broader focus and it lets me get in touch with my target market more easily.

What advice would you give to other artisans?

I would say to be patient. There are a lot of sellers on Etsy and it takes time to gain visibility and sales. Also, keep listing items until you have at least two pages of work because you need to have enough items for buyers to browse through.