Etsy Interview with Silver River Jewelry

Etsy Interview with Silver River Jewelry<br /><br />First off, tell me a little bit about yourself. Well I am 44 years old, married and have two children who are almost grown. We have 2 Australian Shepherds, 2 cats, a snake and a lizard. I love the outdoors, gardening and being on the water. I also love making jewelry and glass beads, thus Silver River Jewelry was born!<br /><br />How and when did you start making jewelry and your other items?<br /><br />I have always done lots of crafting, from crocheting to ceramics. I also sketch and draw and do the occasional cross stitch. My daughter, who was 13 at the time, had expressed an interest in a jewelry making kit for her birthday. After about 2 months she decided she really wasnt interested and put it away. I came across it one night and sat in bed watching tv and made 6 pairs of earrings and a necklace. I was totally hooked from that point on lol.<br /><br />From there, I learned lapidary making stone cabs, metal smithing and most recently lampwork glass beads. This allows me to make 90% of the components that go into my jewelry for a truly handmade piece. And the metal etching is all original artwork drawn by me also. I started making so much of it I had to find an outlet for it all so Silver River Jewelry was born.<br /><br />When and how did you originally find Etsy?<br /><br />I started on Etsy in 2007, a friend of a friend from Canada no less told me about it and after several mentions by her I went and checked it out.<br /><br />What is unique about Etsy and what about the website do you like the most in regards to your shop?<br /><br />Etsy is unique in the fact that it is one of the first sites specifically created for the handmade market that doesnt involve auctions and mass selling of items other than handmade. I like the clean look and how the shop is made to focus on the items the seller has.<br /><br />What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?<br /><br />Just about anything can be an inspiration. Mostly though, colors, and nature. I do have a piece in my Silver River Jewelry shop that was inspired by a piece of art on a restaurant wall, so inspiration can really come from anywhere.<br /><br />What is your favorite piece youve created and why?<br /><br />Hmm thats a tough one, I really like most of what I make. I think right now its my Hand Etched Heart Pendant with Handmade Lampwork Bead. This particular piece uses several different handmade techniques metal smithing, etching, lampwork bead making as well as bead weaving.<br /><br />What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?<br /><br />I would like to one day be able to quit my day job and do this for a living. In the meantime, I am able to share my creations and continue to do make the things that I love to make.<br /><br />Do you have any new creations in the works? If so, what can shoppers expect to see from you soon?<br /><br />I will have new jewelry posted soon, that include some wire wrapping, some more jewelry with my original lampwork, and also some more ethced and beaded pendants.<br /><br />Where can readers find out about more information regarding your jewelry and other creations and possible special offers including additional websites, blogs, facebook, etc?<br /><br />Published by Rachel B.<br /><br />Rachel B. is a college student from the Midwest with a passion for political and local issues. Her writing has been featured on the front page of Yahoo! View profile