-What is your shop name and URL?
South Paw Studios
http://www.southpawstudios.etsy.com/
-Tell me two (or more!) interesting things about you. (Hobbies, achievements, favorite something-or-other, family situation, jobs, etc)
We are a military family. My husband was active duty Army for 6 years, and now he is a full time member of the Air National Guard.
My father has been a glass blower for the past 29 years.
We are a military family. My husband was active duty Army for 6 years, and now he is a full time member of the Air National Guard.
My father has been a glass blower for the past 29 years.
-What do you sell in your Etsy shop?
I sell unique and chic, jewelry designed and handmade by me.
I sell unique and chic, jewelry designed and handmade by me.
-To which Etsy Street Teams do you belong (if any)?
None at the moment, but I have a petition pending for membership in JET (Jewelry Etsy’s Team)
None at the moment, but I have a petition pending for membership in JET (Jewelry Etsy’s Team)
-What inspires your creations?
I get inspiration from everything from a shower curtain, to sunsets. I know that sounds cliché, but really there are great color combinations in sunsets.
I get inspiration from everything from a shower curtain, to sunsets. I know that sounds cliché, but really there are great color combinations in sunsets.
-Tell me a bit about your creative process and/or how you learned to do what you do.
Early on, I dabbled in almost every medium from ceramics, batiking, silk dying, watercolor, and sewing to photography, but it was in jewelry design that I found a good niche. When my father, a glass blower, gave me a book on jewelry design, I delved further into the art. I have been active in the jewelry trade for ten years. My collections have grown to include custom bridal jewelry, a wholesale line that I sell nationally, and numerous one-of-a-kind pieces. I am continuously evolving and staying up to date on the fashion trends and new ideas in the industry. I am the sole artist behind South Paw Studios- there are no production lines or kits used in my work. I use only the finest materials such as Swarovski Austrian Crystals, imported Venetian glass, precious gems from India, cubic zirconia, freshwater pearls from Hong Kong and sterling silver.
My process is very free; I don’t really sit down with something specific in mind. I just look at my bags of beads and baubles and go from there. It depends on my mood and time. If I have the time, I love making an elaborate one of a kind creation, but other days, I focus on production or marketing.
My process is very free; I don’t really sit down with something specific in mind. I just look at my bags of beads and baubles and go from there. It depends on my mood and time. If I have the time, I love making an elaborate one of a kind creation, but other days, I focus on production or marketing.
-What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)?
My one-of-a-kind Chalcedony Orange faceted Necklace is my favorite at the moment.
Description:
This necklace feature chunky, "onion cut" faceted chalcedony orange drops drape the center of this necklace, accented by fuchsia pink tourmaline 3mm faceted rondelles. Measures 16 inches with an adjustable clasp up to 18 inches. Bright piece, eye catching. This piece is a one of a kind. Great for the summer.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20328981
retail $59.95
My one-of-a-kind Chalcedony Orange faceted Necklace is my favorite at the moment.
Description:
This necklace feature chunky, "onion cut" faceted chalcedony orange drops drape the center of this necklace, accented by fuchsia pink tourmaline 3mm faceted rondelles. Measures 16 inches with an adjustable clasp up to 18 inches. Bright piece, eye catching. This piece is a one of a kind. Great for the summer.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20328981
retail $59.95
-Why is it your favorite? (Please provide a link)
This piece is my favorite because I love using the more exciting, not so safe colors and shapes. I know this piece is not for everyone. I simply love the chunkiness of it. It has some weight to it, which I personally love. For the summer it matches a lot of the colors that I wear. I have received so many compliments for this necklace, yet it remains unsold. No one to take it home. But again, maybe it is just the universe telling me that it is really mine.
This piece is my favorite because I love using the more exciting, not so safe colors and shapes. I know this piece is not for everyone. I simply love the chunkiness of it. It has some weight to it, which I personally love. For the summer it matches a lot of the colors that I wear. I have received so many compliments for this necklace, yet it remains unsold. No one to take it home. But again, maybe it is just the universe telling me that it is really mine.
-What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
Blessed, collected, a thinker (I am an Aquarius, I can’t help myself)
-What do you like about Etsy?
I love their LOW fees, and that people really DO buy on there. They keep things fun and unexpected for buyers and seller alike. Unlike other sites that just get too stuffy with fees on top of fees, Etsy’s seems to know what they are doing, yet march to their own drum. They think outside the box, offering different ways to search for things, instead of just keywords searches. I believe that keeps things fun and more interactive for the customers. And the treasuries, to me, are sort of a competition. I love them. It really is a fight to get to create one.
I love their LOW fees, and that people really DO buy on there. They keep things fun and unexpected for buyers and seller alike. Unlike other sites that just get too stuffy with fees on top of fees, Etsy’s seems to know what they are doing, yet march to their own drum. They think outside the box, offering different ways to search for things, instead of just keywords searches. I believe that keeps things fun and more interactive for the customers. And the treasuries, to me, are sort of a competition. I love them. It really is a fight to get to create one.
-What makes your shop unique?
I feel that I offer functional jewelry that you can wear everyday with jeans and a simple white t-shirt, yet you can wear it to a formal function if preferred. I don’t want my customer to seem pressed on the thought of “I love this necklace, but where am I going to wear it?” I want them to be more, “I love this necklace, and I can wear it with anything”. I want there to be “No Fuss”. Jewelry shouldn’t be complicated, it should be enjoyable. That is why I feel I create jewelry that is much more appealing and affordable to a wider range of woman, from the younger jewelry lover to the seasoned shopper.
I feel that I offer functional jewelry that you can wear everyday with jeans and a simple white t-shirt, yet you can wear it to a formal function if preferred. I don’t want my customer to seem pressed on the thought of “I love this necklace, but where am I going to wear it?” I want them to be more, “I love this necklace, and I can wear it with anything”. I want there to be “No Fuss”. Jewelry shouldn’t be complicated, it should be enjoyable. That is why I feel I create jewelry that is much more appealing and affordable to a wider range of woman, from the younger jewelry lover to the seasoned shopper.
-What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?
My advice is to have good photography. I invested in a great Nikon SLR camera, and it has been worth every penny. I have been in the jewelry business 10 years and counting, and this camera is one of the best business decisions and money well spent, ever.
My advice is to have good photography. I invested in a great Nikon SLR camera, and it has been worth every penny. I have been in the jewelry business 10 years and counting, and this camera is one of the best business decisions and money well spent, ever.
-Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations (please include a link)?
http://www.southpawstudios.etsy.com/
http://www.southpawonline.com/
http://www.southpawstudios.etsy.com/
http://www.southpawonline.com/
5 comments:
SO cool. Thank you
Very beautiful jewelry. Talented artist!
I,m very happy for you Katy, your doing so well with your jewlry.I still have the ring you made me when you were first starting out.I'm very proud of you.June
Katy,
The jewerly you did for Lisa's wedding was beatiful both hers and her bridesmaids and I think I was extra special because it was not department store items.
Really nice feature and a wonderful shop!!
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