Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: lorelei1141

Self-taught jewelry artist Lorelei lives in Upstate New York - and like me is 33 and married without kids. She is a full time registrar at an art museum, which inspired her to find a creative outlet to "make (her) soul happy." She finds inspiration in other artists, many from Etsy: Green Girl Studios, TheLolaCollection, Cindy Hoo, theOrangeBell, Heather Wynn, Andrew Thornton - there are simply too many to name. Her love of nature is reflected in her earthy pieces, which she's only been creating for just over a year. "I started last Christmas (2006) when I decided to hand-make jewelry for gifts...Bought some beads, and some basic supplies and got busy!" She admits her designs have grown since she began. "My style has gone from simple one stranded seed-beaded necklaces, then moved onto big fat chunky beaded bracelets and necklaces, and now back to a more simple look with thin chains and wire-wrapped beads." Etsy is currently just a hobby for her. "I love making it, but I also love wearing it. I am my own advertising human billboard," she jokes. "Selling it wasn't my first intention but as I was making so much of it, my husband suggested I try selling it so that the money I would make, I could put back into the hobby by buying beads and supplies." She never wants her art to feel like work and strives to keep her jewelry affordable. "I never intended to make a living, but only intended on keeping the hobby going." She has some of the best advice I've ever heard for fellow Etsians: "I just do my thing. I make a piece. I list it. If it doesn't sell I take it down, wear it, love it. And when I get sick of it, I take it apart and making something new." Well said! Please check out her shop: http://lorelei1141.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/