This week's interview is with jewelry shop Honey from the Bee. Janet's eclectic ear candy, bangles, and necklaces are carefully handmade to come into a life of their own. Her inspiration, drawn from the nature surrounding her, can clearly be seen through the colors, organic shapes, and free-style flow of her pieces. You may recognize the shop name because this week, Honey from the Bee was the Guest Pinner at the SF Etsy Pintrest Page! After reading the interview, and perusing her gorgeous creations, I know you'll be anxious to check out her curated page.
1. What is your shop name and URL?
Honey from the Bee http://honeyfromthebee.etsy.com
2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SFEtsy, Blogging Business Artisans (BBArtisans), Unique Women in Business (UWIB)
3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
My jewelry is what I would call artisan jewelry, not fine jewelry. For my statement necklaces I like telling a story or otherwise weave meaning into the piece. People that buy my jewelry feel a connection to the piece through their own background and personality. It's always exciting to hear what that connection is. I've taken a small metals course at my local junior college as well as numerous workshops at retreats and local shops. I don't like creating earrings, bracelets, brooches or necklaces just for the sake of having product. I like to choose a technique or materials that truly complement the design. If it's a particular cab I'm going to work with I often will draw different scenarios first. I'm not afraid to rip, cut, snip, etc. if it's not turning out like my mind's eye, but sometimes you come across something even better.
4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
When I'm not creating jewelry I'm fishing with my husband, knitting, home decorating, hiking or sipping coffee with friends.
5. What inspires your creations?
Water - have lived on both coasts as well as near rivers and lakes my whole life; sea life - colors as well as animals that live in and near the sea
Nature - taking a hike in nature restores my spirit and calms my worries; I find shapes of leaves, stones, twigs, seeds, and animals all inspiration back in my studio through color, shape and texture
Travel - my father was a pilot so wanderlust was instilled in me early; my husband and I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to many places with cultures similar and very different than ours all over the world; Artwork through the ages as well as specific to certain cultures will often find its way into my work one way or another
6. How did you get involved with Etsy?
I had been doing art shows for a few years and realized that I needed to have an online presence to sell year round. Etsy seems to dominate the handmade shopping world so I opened up shop.
7. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?
It's been difficult to get seen with all the shops on Etsy. It also seems that Etsy promotes shops with a certain look. Starting my blog as well as updating my descriptions when I see I could do a better job for search engines are both I think getting me more traffic. Also working with teams such as SF Etsy for local promotion and just learning from each other helps me grow. So I guess my biggest challenge is wearing the sales hat via online copy vs. meeting people at an art show which I find easier.
8. Tell us about your first sale ever?
I cold-called on a hotel resort in Carmel. I was terrified, but I acted like I knew what I was doing - had my jewelry case with me and business cards. The buyer bought over $1000 worth (wholesale $!) of my jewelry. I went back to my car and was shaking with excitement. I called my husband and told him Honey from the Bee was buying dinner that night! The excitement and pride that was in his voice was perfect.
9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
I cold-called on a hotel resort in Carmel. I was terrified, but I acted like I knew what I was doing - had my jewelry case with me and business cards. The buyer bought over $1000 worth (wholesale $!) of my jewelry. I went back to my car and was shaking with excitement. I called my husband and told him Honey from the Bee was buying dinner that night! The excitement and pride that was in his voice was perfect.
9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Katy or Steph about joining SFEtsy!
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