Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: prairiejeweler

Michele is proud to call herself "a home grown country girl from Kansas." Not surprisingly her pieces are often inspired by her rustic surroundings, love of antiques, and anything "junk-tastic." She has never liked anything mass produced or "off the rack" and blames Molly Ringwold in Pretty In Pink for that. She describes her style as "gypsy-cowgirl-esque" - and it certainly reflects her love of horses, rodeos, and "anything rusty, crusty and old." She even admits that "Junk-tiquing" is one of her favorite pastimes.

This spring will ring in the 7th year for The Prairie Jeweler, which is her passion. "It's what I love and what I hope to be able to do until my eyesight fails me... or arthritis sets in," she declares. She'd love to eventually reach customers in all 50 states, but admits she has a way to go. "BE PATIENT and promote," she advises her fellow Etsians. "As long as you have a quality product that is unique and true to who you are you will do fine. In the jewelry category it is really tough and there are tons of extremely talented Etsians out there, but as long as you have confidence in your design and your vision you can only go up!" Please check out her shop: http://prairiejeweler.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/