Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: Damselle

27 year old artist Melanie Crowe "started Damselle Jewelry after losing (her) well-paying job due the changing economic climate." She explains, "In the midst of the panic, I realized I hadn't been living life on my terms, and my husband and I decided to take more risks in order to do what we love." With a lot of hard work Damselle is now her full time job. "I tend to try to allow myself to be inspired by my materials rather than the other way around. I choose something I find to be beautiful and then design around that material." Often her designs have a dash of vintage elegance. "When I see something very old and very well made, I think, "how amazing that someone cherished this enough to keep it around and care for it, so that future generations can enjoy it.'" Her style was recently described as "Anthropologie meets Ladies who Lunch," and she admits that she likes that description. When creating her pieces she likes to "imagine (her) customer as a beautiful, unusual, and highly intelligent woman, who gets things done." She hopes to use Etsy to bring her closer to the things she cares about and to make a positive impact. "I'd like to get to the point where my husband is able to work less and we can spend more time together and more time on causes that are important to us," she says. "The road to success is different for everyone, and sometimes the road isn't what you expect it to be." Please check out her shop: http://damselle.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: SkyDreams

Hee Soon is the amazing designer and artist behind SkyDreams. She and her husband are proud parents to a beautiful daughter, Sky, who is her shop's namesake. "I make jewelry while Sky sleeps, so my husband named my business 'Sky Dreams.'" A Korean American, I she feels neither American nor Korean. "I like middle path anyway," she admits. Her evocative designs are always beautiful and often represent the inspiration she finds in nature. "Stones and colors speak to me," she explains. "I rarely sit down and design. I let colors and stones guide my eyes." Her pieces represent a range of style, from classic to romantic - to bold. Surprisingly, she has only been making jewelry for three years. "I am very lucky to call this a full time job," she says. She recommends fellow artists remember to always "respect other Etsy members - both sellers and customers. Please check out her shop: http://skydreams.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: mygypsywagon

Laura jokes that she lives in a "teeny tiny town in rural Idaho with my 3 lovely (yes, really) teenagers and my marvelous husband." She also states that she has "chosen to be their full time wife and mother for the past 21+ years. The PERFECT job--but they are getting pretty self sufficient and my job way less demanding." Thankfully this gives her more time to focus on her art. "We live at the base of a beautiful mountain range and in between two majestic rivers that provide me with more than enough inspiration for my earthy, quirky jewelry," she explains. She admits that her daughters clue her in on current trends. Although Etsy is currently only a hobby, she has been designing her classic pieces for friends and family for twenty-some years and has even sold at a fewfarmers markets. "Create from your heart and be patient," she advises. Please check out her shop: http://mygypsywagon.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: LesChic

Leslie's fascination with jewelry began at an early age. "I think I got my diverse taste in jewelry from the women who influenced my life. One of my grandma's was my 'city grandma. She loved flashy and bold jewelry. The other was my 'country grandma.' I never saw her in anything but a simple and classic strand of pearls. My mom loved very dainty jewelry, so that is why I can't make just one style of jewelry," she explains. "I love it all!" Aside from making her eclectic pieces she was also a hairstylist and owned a salon for 23 years. "I turned 40 last year and have found the phrase '40 and Fabulous' to be oh so true! Things in my life just started to fall in place. After a lifetime of trying..not trying..to just being happy with my life, I surprisingly found myself pregnant last August," she gushed. "It is such a miracle and my husband (who is the best in the world) and I feel so lucky and blessed." She soon found herself selling the salon in order to be with her new precious gift. "Ironically I started making jewelry as a stress reliever about 2 years ago and found it a perfect creative outlet for me," she admits. She'd love to turn her art into a full time career and vows to improve every day - especially her pictures (which I think are perfect already). "It shows more than the piece if its a good picture...it sets a mood..it tells a story and makes you fall in love with it instantly." Please check out her shop: http://leschic.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: MJulian

Mindy Julian was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon - and is currently raising a family of her own. Aside from creating her "retro chic" designs, she is a full-time Mom to three busy girls. She often finds inspiration in her surroundings. "Oregon has so many beautiful things, the ocean (my favorite), mountains, lots of green trees, and great flowers. So many beautiful, rich colors." She is also interested in the exotic paradise of Hawaii where she and her husband were married. "We collect Hawaiian Art. I love all of the vibrant tropical colors Hawaii offers." She currently prefers to work with silver and natural gemstones, incorporating them into classic pieces that can be dressed up or down. "My jewelry started as a hobby, but I enjoyed hunting and finding great treasures and making them into beautiful pieces of art so much it has turned into a business," she says. "Don't get discouraged," she reminds. "Be vigilant about posting in the forums, re-listing, going to chat rooms, blog, hand out business cards, do everything you can to get your name out there. If you just post your work and sit back waiting for sales it's not going to happen. You have to advertise."Please check out her shops: Jewelry - http://mjulian.etsy.com/ Destash/Supplies - http://mimibeads.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: SeasideStudio

Jane lives in an old seaside town north of Boston with her family. "I love the ocean and nature. That is what inspires me most," she admits. While she has tried her hand at all sorts of artistic mediums her entire life, she has only started making jewelry in the last two years. She incorporates her love of collecting sea glass into many of her pieces, beautifully wrapping her finds in wire alongside semi-precious stones. "Living by a very old harbor makes it easier for me to find it. Each piece I spy makes me feel like I’ve found a precious little jewel. I love the history in sea glass and find looking for it to be very relaxing." One of her favorite parts of jewelry making is never really knowing how a piece will turn out until it's finished. "The piece takes on its own life," she explains. "I hope that my jewelry will make the wearer feel connected to the beauty in nature." She may have started making her natural pieces as a hobby, but it is now a full time career and she is striving to "become more visible in the market place." She recommends her fellow Etsians "believe in yourself, go for it, and make use of and be thankful for all of the very intelligent and creative people on Etsy who will so generously share their knowledge with you." Please check out her shop: http://seasidestudio.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

My latest creation

I've been so busy it's been weeks since I've created anything, but my best friend asked me to make a necklace for her - something simple yet elegant that she could wear every day. I used beads of apatite and kyanite in her favorite shades of blue and silver spacers and chain, so she can wear it with a ring she's having made from a silver pearl she handpicked at an oyster farm in Hawaii. I used three beads in three sets to symbolize their budding family (they just had their first baby last October). What do you think?
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: Pavoreal

25 year old AngelaHurtado is the amazing talent behind Pavoreal. Born in Peru, she now lives in Costa Rica where she creates her beautiful wirework designs. "I teach fashion and jewelry history at college, so I love to incorporate ideas and color combinations that I find through my research. I also love the colors I can find living in a tropical environment here in Costa Rica," she explains. Originally trained as a graphic designer, she gravitates toward modern, stylized shapes and designs that evoke a simple elegance, which she expertly displays in her bridal pieces on Etsy and her personal website (AzaharTiaras.com). "I'm trying to turn it into my job, but I also like to complement it with some intellectual work, such as teaching and writing, usually on the subjects of fashion, jewelry and their relationship with women through history." Being on the other side of the world than the majority of Etsians, she finds it harder to get her name out there, but I feel her work speaks for itself. Please check out her shop: http://pavoreal.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: ravenevejewelry

Detroit, MI jewelry artist Emily Sullivan (a.k.a RavenEve) finds inspiration in ephemera, art, literature, and her own "overactive imagination." Her macabre style is a perfect blend of Gothic and Victorian; class with an edge. Although she has only been selling her work professionally for 14 years, she's always had the bug. "This whole selling what you make thing started with me very early. I begged my mom to let me sell my woven rag pot holders at a craft show in the 70's and it was all down hill from there," she jokes. She may not have any Etsy sales under her belt yet, but her jewelry speaks for itself. "I have no clue what Etsy has in store for me," she admits. Please check out her shop: http://ravenevejewelry.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: StixsandStones

The incredible talent behind StixsandStones is a mere 28 years old. She's a New York City native, but while on vacation to Nantucket Island, Maine she met the man who would become her husband and moved there five years ago. "Nantucket is a very creative place where most people are entrepreneurs," she explains. "I guess I caught the bug and became really interested in making jewelry just after my mom bought me some beads." She was soon working and consigning at a local jewelry store (Victoria Greenhood Jewelry Design). "I have a few clients who come every year to buy a new Stixs and Stones piece and that makes me feel so great." She finds inspiration in warm, bright colors and textures. "I love to mix materials; metal, gemstones, natural elements, the more, the merrier!" She has been designing her earthy natural jewelry for four years. "This is a job that feels like a hobby and I hope it always stays that way." She also substitute teaches at the local High School. She takes Etsy one sale at a time and enjoys the community. She advises fellow Etsians to keep doing what they love. "Stay true to your style and don't get discouraged, the sales will come!" Please check out her shop: http://stixsandstones.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: PrettyInPeace

The classic talent behind PrettyInPeace is a 34 year old native New Yorker, who home schools her children while managing her Indie electronic label Next Dimensions ( http://nextdimensionmusic.com). She's a self described "Yogi, Hippie, Liberal, Pacifist, Martha Stewart, Friedrich Nietzsche, Dr. Spock, and Lisa Simpson all rolled into one 5'3 curvaceous bod." An introvert like myself, she tends to "see the things that others miss while mingling." Her "Hippie Couture" jewelry designs are what she herself would wear. "I'm totally green, and anti murderous bling, but I'm stylin' and I'm all about it at the same time. I just want people to know that eco-conscious isn't always rubber bracelets and hemp cord." She has been creating her entire life. "Before I started on tangible craft, it was imaginary friends," she jokes. "I worked in fashion for 7 years in NYC's Greenwich Village before moving to AZ, and now-I write (my first and deepest love) and make jewelry." Her design process is "an outlet and a way to keep a balanced mind. When I'm done writing about life's harsh realities, I like to escape to a pretty peaceful place with beads and pliers and epoxy and such." As for Etsy her goals were small in the beginning. "I came into this wanting to feed the right hemisphere of my brain, no more, no less. As it turns out, I've been able to feed my grey matter and myself." She reminds her fellow artists to "focus on *your* work, and stay on *your* path-this is *your* life, goal, dream and no one else's...Anything that isn't contributing to your success is taking away from it." Please check out her shop: http://prettyinpeace.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: rtisan and rtisan2

The extraordinary talent behind Rtisan (jewelry) and Rtisan2 (art) is an ethnic folk art painter and illustrator in San Francisco. With a BA in Graphic Design it comes as no surprise that she loves color and texture, which is also reflected in her earthy, nature-inspired designs. "(I) think of jewelry making as sculpture, in a way," she explains. She began making jewelry as a hobby a mere two years ago, but spent so much on supplies she soon realized she should begin selling it. Of course her first love is art, which she does exceptionally well in her second shop, and has become her passion. She advises Etsy artists have a wide range of prices to accommodate all budgets. Please check out her shops:

Jewelry - http://rtisan.etsy.com/

Art - http://rtisan2.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: natureallwell

The life-long artist behind Natureallwell is a 21 year old newlywed from Alberta, Canada, who - aside from Etsy - is passionate about biology and the ecology. She has successfully combined her love for her craft and the environment in her eco friendly jewelry. "It’s so sad that we’re destroying this vast planet with our human greed and ignorance. Hundreds of species are endangered or extinct every day, we add tons of waste to landfills, burn and chop down forests, pollute the ocean and waterways. In doing so, we’re killing ourselves." She believes a natural lifestyle is the answer. "Handmade itself is better for the environment, helping to stop mass-production and the massive waste (it) causes." She even donates some of her profits to animal charities and buys organic products. Many of her pieces incorporate recycled, natural, and vintage materials - and all of her props and displays are second-hand or natural elements. She has even gone as far as switching to corn-based biodegradable bags for craft shows. Additionally, she offers restringing and jewelry repair so less material ends up in landfills. "I’ll happily take old jewelry and revamp it for new life in this generation." Her hip retro style definitely reflects her eco-centered mission, each beautifully showcasing aspects of earth and life.

"Currently my day job isn’t satisfying at all and I think my jewelry is what keeps my sanity right now," she confesses. Although Etsy is not her current career, she acknowledges that it is more of a business than a hobby. "I spend far too much money on it to justify it otherwise," she jokes. She actually maintains two shops - one for her beautiful jewelry and another for supplies (naturefinds.etsy.com). Eventually she hopes to make Etsy her full time job, but in the mean time is working diligently to get her name out there. "Concentrate more on your store than talking the forums," she advises. "Forums chat is great and helps advertise somewhat, but it’s your product, photos, packaging, prices, customer service, etc. that really get customers coming and coming back for more." Please check out her shop: http://natureallwell.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: HippieHempstress

The talent behind HippieHempstress is originally from an art community in Tennessee - "one could even call them hippies," she admits. Her environment - and necessity - inspired her to become a crafter. "If there's something I want really bad, I always try to make it before I'll buy it." As her Etsy name would suggest, she is inspired by nature and spirituality. "If I'm feeling cheerful on a sunny day, I might paint a polka dotted flower pot. If I'm angry, sad, or depressed, I draw or paint on canvases. If I'm feeling particularly spiritual, I like to work with the elements (like clay or sea shells)." What ever her medium, she is sure to create something quirky yet practical - and always urbanely classy. Her mother taught her to crochet at five and by the fourth grade she was selling knitted headbands. "I've been at it a while," she jokes. Aside from Etsy she works full time, but hopes to turn her passion and lifestyle into a career someday by opening her own brick and mortar shop. She recently reshot all of her pictures and is amazed at the difference it has made in her exposure. "Within 3 hours of posting my new shots, I received more than twice as many views than I normally make in a WEEK. " She recommends her fellow Etsians "put as much into the photos as you do the piece itself." Please check out her shops: http://hippiehempstress.etsy.com/ and http://craftiefaerie.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: Annilys

The talent behind Annilys is also a clinical massage therapist living in northern California, but it's her part-time antique dealing that sparked her Etsy career. She has been "enthralled with jewelry since childhood, (and) channels that creative drive into (her) handcrafted adorments." She's driven to unearth treasures on what she calls her "constant search for relics from the past." She also enjoys period films and finds herselff absorbed in the jewelry, costumes, and sets. "I pore over books of antique and ancient jewelry spanning back to the dawn of civilization, and I find them to be rich sources of inspiration and information," she admits. "I'm also inspired by avant garde high-fashion, as well as art, especially Art Nouveau and the Symbolists. Alphonse Mucha and Gustave Moreau are my heroes." Her love of their decadant Victorian style reflects in her ecclectic jewelry designs.

She is too passionate about her art to consider it a hobby. "I used to do this full-time for years, but that was before my little guy came along." Although her curious toddler limits her time in her home-based studio, she'd eventually like to devote more time to establishing her brand through Etsy and forge new bonds with other artisans. "Persistence is key," she advises. "Even if you don't have an abundance of time to invest in your shop, or it seems like the buyers aren't coming, don't give up. Have faith in yourself and your dream. Just keep believing!" Please check out her shop: http://annilys.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artists: LazyCat

The artists behind LazyCat met at the University of Michigan - two are medical doctors and the third has her PhD. At a young age they learned how to crochet from their grandmothers and began making scarves from unusual yarns. They soon progressed into wire and beads, "because (they) like to push what (they) can do with crochet." Each of their designs is something they would personally wear, which means each piece is inspired by current fashions. They successfully combine crochet with modern styles, which is expertly displayed in their wire and beaded jewelry. Please check out their shop: http://lazycat.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: VintageInspirations

With a shop name like Vintage Inspirations, it's no wonder Jennifer is interested in a bygone era. "I find a ton of inspiration from flea markets and tag sales. I find myself inspired by old costume jewelry or even an old tattered letter," she confesses. Her designs are usually delicate and classy - something any Victorian aristocrat would enjoy. "Occasionally I might design something big and bold just to change things up, but for the most part I like to create things that really make my customers feel like a girl," she explains. Even her pieces with a modern edge reflect vintage sophistication. Her work has a timeless appeal and can be worn with jeans or evening attire. She started out drawing in elementary school and later tried her hand at soap and candle making, has focussed on jewelry designing for the last four years. Right now Etsy is just a hobby, but she's working very hard to development her art into a business. "I take what I do very seriously and I take a lot of pride in my work. I think that being a part of Etsy has really helped me grow as an artist," she admits. She advises her fellow Etsians to keep doing what they love. "I didn't sell anything my first few months on Etsy because I was under the assumption that posting my items once was enough. Once I started spending time in the forums and re-listing items everyday I found that things really started to pick up for me. I have found that Etsy only gives me what I am willing to put into it and I think that that is a very valuable lesson to anyone selling here." Please check out her Etsy shop: http://vintageinspirations.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: nicholsforpennies

Joan is a yoga teacher and artist, living in upstate New York. She enjoys vintage items and is "what you would consider a 'Throw Back' in terms of philosophy." Her favorite author is Jane Austen and she is inspired by Victoriana. She creates "meaningful jewelry out of silver, gemstones, pearls, and leather" with a classic style. "I am graphic designer by trade and schooling and have continued my education to learn the bases in silversmithing. I have taught myself the rest and continue to try new methods." Etsy began as a hobby, but she plans to turn it into a small business. "My Etsy goals are to reach as many people as possible, let people know about Etsy, so more folks can buy handmade," she explains. "And, God willing, (to) sell lots of items, so I can afford to continue to create, which for me, is a fundamental need." She advises fellow artists to be persistent. "When one door closes keep your eyes open for the doors that open." Please visit her shop: http://nicholsforpennies.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/