Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: chendric

Cheryl Hendric is a "chronic wanderer, settled for the meantime in Boston with my boyfriend and two cats." She's originally from the Midwest, but studied abroad in Denmark and has even worked and volunteered in Thailand and Nepal. Her current work will lead her to Africa later this year. "These places I’ve been and the people met along the way continue to inspire me and my designs," she explains of her fascination with exotic landscapes and cultures. Her interest in science and nature can also be seen in some of her metalwork. "I love the versatility of silver, but I also need color in my life - bright color." She aims to keep her designs simple enough for every day wear, but still unique, "whether that be through the use of an unusual stone, intriguing texture, or bold color." A lifelong crafter and artist, she recalls the unfortunate incidents where she played a role in her second grade teacher having her lamination privileges revoked. "I had her laminate so much of my artwork," she jokingly admits. She has "experimented with pottery, pastels, candle making, soap making, and bookbinding, but my love for silver and gemstones has kept drawing me back to jewelry." In regards to her photographs, she has always admired her fellow Etsy artists, but "it wasn’t until my trip to Nepal that I decided to share my photographs with others; the country and the culture were so amazing that I felt guilty not sharing some of the images that I had captured during my time there." Etsy started out as a hobby, but she soon realized how satisfying it was to create for others. "Although I consider this a business, I do have a day-job working on malnutrition research and interventions in Africa as part of a large international development project," she says. She hopes to share her work with the world through Etsy - "and it would be nice to sell more than I buy on Etsy." Please check out her shop: http://chendric.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: jensjewelry

"I've certainly come along way since I began over a year ago," Jen admits. A full-time stay at home Mom of 3, she is often exhausted - but always inspired to create her imaginative and classy jewelry designs. Natural colors and textures seem to ignite her creative side - and she always keeps a notebook handy for ideas and sketches. "Sometimes it turns out just like what I imagine and other times, it morphs into something else." she explains. "I often put some things off center because I just love the surprise and think accessories should be fun." Right now Etsy is her hobby since her "first passion and job is raising (her) kids." Of course, like the rest of us, she hopes to turn into more some day. "I'm currently networking to establish jewelry parties instead of having to do craft shows. I like the intimacy of the audience in someone's home and people tend to buy more." Aside from her jewelry, she has also mentored a few new Etsians. "It is all a learning process," she says. "I think we should all learn from each other and use the forums to gain knowledge. It helped me become an international shop and for that I'm so grateful. I pay that forward as much as I can." Please check out her shop: http://jensjewelry.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: lindsaykristine

Lindsay is a Detroit artist with an MFA in Sculpture, although for the last few months she has specialized in modern jewelry. "I was trained as a bench jeweler a few years back," she explains, "and really enjoyed the small scale-- so different from sculpture. I also really enjoy making things that people will enjoy wearing- you could say the functional nature of craft delights me." Aside from Etsy she also teaches sculpture and design at a local university and works at a museum. "I feel fortunate to be working in the arts, surrounded by artists and those who appreciate the arts," she says. Her inspiration often comes from her surroundings. "I'm inspired by the texture and color of different materials. I usually respond to the materials first, then create the design." Like me, Asian design is a big influence - as well as art deco and minimalism. "I'm forever inspired by the beautiful and innovative designs of the folks here on Etsy," she admits. Her clean, simple designs often include an element of copper or moving pieces - "and a little wabi-sabi never hurt, so small flaws are expected and honored." Please check out her shop: http://lindsaykristine.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: ImpressionsByMona

Even before I'd heard of Etsy I was into buying handmade. While I rarely sold any of my own handcrafted items on Ebay, I bought items from other artists. One of my favorite sellers was MonaDesigns786. She is the epitome of great customer service - and went the extra mile for me on many a purchase over the years. On top of all of that - she's a fantastic artist and a really neat lady. Last year after I discovered Etsy I wrote to her to try to convince her to make the move. Thankfully she has finally joined our fabulous Etsy community...

Due to health problems Mona was forced to retire early and become a stay at home Mom. "Just 'being' a housewife/mom was not my cup of tea, so decided to convert my hobby into a trade," she explains. She has been selling her earthy spiritual jewelry on Ebay for awhile, but her Etsy shop is brand new. "It's been 2 years since i started making jewelry pieces and now (I) am surrounded with beads all the time," she jokes. "Mostly colors, textures, and shapes inspire me to play with the beads and make (them) into jewelry pieces," she says. Like me, she hopes to promote acceptance of all cultures and faiths through her art. As for Etsy she says, "I like what I see and the way all Etsians are connected. I feel friendship already." She hopes the circle of friendship will grow bigger each day. Please check out her shop: http:// ImpressionsByMona.etsy.com

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: lorijaclynsjewels

Lori has been creating her bold jewelry for 15 years. "In the early years I would tear apart old jewelry of my mom's and sister's and remake something beautiful," she admits. She later tried her hand at hemp and fimo beads, but soon fell in love with the higher end metals and stones she uses today. "I love to follow fashions and trends, and in some ways I am a hopeless romantic, and get caught creating pieces that are lovely and timeless. My infatuation with culture, fashion and trends spurs me on to new things." Etsy is currently a hobby, as she is also a full time Mom, but she continually strives to "show people that you can be crafty and cool, and absolutely stunning and stylish." Please check out her shop: http://lorijaclynsjewels.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: pinkdragonfly98

Chicago native Renee Loughlin "worked in Finance in (her) previous life." She was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom for the last 6 years and has a "very arty daughter who rubbed off on me." She began beading purely as a hobby, but her love of the art has blossomed into a part time business. "I adore vintage and antique jewelry," she admits. "My grandmother gave me a box of her old jewelry and it really inspired me to explore working with it." She is even taking metalsmithing classes and hopes to incorporate her new skills into her jewelry designs. "I feel that I cannot learn enough fast enough." She advises her fellow Etsy artists, "if you want it to be a business then act like it is a business. Plan and work as though your life depends on it. Apply whatever skills you have from all of your previous experiences and research what you don't know." She also warns that - as helpful as they are - the forums can be addictive. "I allow myself 30 minutes a day to lurk in the fora (I don't post very often). The Etsy fora is a goldmine of information, but it is also a huge, swirling vortex that will swallow up your creative time before you know it!" Please check out her shop: http://pinkdragonfly98.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: AJDesignJewelry

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I found a beautiful necklace on Etsy that's perfect for today...

Amy has been making her beautiful pieces for 15 years and selling them professionally for 7, although Etsy is currently just a hobby. "I would love to do this full time, but I live in the Bay area, and have a mortgage to pay for," she jokes. Her greatest inspiration comes from her Grandmother. "I was so impressed with her ability to make something, and to make so many people happy in the process," she explains. "She was truly gifted, I am sorry that I really started my business after she passed. It would have been nice to get her input on things." She started making jewelry for the same reasons I did - she just couldn't find the right piece for her personality. "Two different flowers in colors that don't normally go together could be sitting next to each other in bins, and the next day, I'll have a pair of earrings in those colors. Or I'll spill a tub of beads and make a necklace with all the beads. Happy accidents," she says. Besides her own designs, she also likes adding her own personal style to current trends. She'd like to remind her fellow Etsians that "just because 56 people looked at your item and it hasn't sold, don't get down on yourself, just take it that someone appreciates your work enough to click on it and look at it closer." Please check out her shop: http://ajdesignjewelry.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 Designer & Artist: Luxedesignworkshop

Peg grew up in Jacksonville, Florida where she spent summers at the art museum taking jewelry making and painting classes. "I think that my mother was worried that I would get into trouble if I had too much time on my hands," she jokes. In high school she fell in love with pottery and started selling her early jewelry designs in local consignment shops. "Life was good and I stayed busy," she explains. While in college she worked in the pottery department and focused her efforts on sculptural work, wheel throwing, and glaze techniques. In 1986 she moved to Atlanta, Georgia as a food stylist and later met her husband. "Wow, I never knew that people could earn a living doing what they loved!" She's been making her beautiful jewelry on the side for a few years. "I think that being a creative person makes me rethink the little things around me and I am always recreating something to make it mine. I started out just playing around with jewelry that I already had and made necklaces and bracelets out of materials on hand. I like for jewelry to be more versatile than just one thing so I tie it in a knot, make it a length that can be doubled or tripled to increase its fun. I make necklaces that are all the same length so that I can braid them together and make one fat happy necklace! To me so much of the fun is just playing with the materials and letting them speak of what they want to be." Please check out her shop: http://luxedesignworkshop.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: ANORIGINALJEWELRY

A mere 23, Ashley lives in New York where she attended The Fashion Institute of Technology, studying Jewelry Design. While she has only been selling her cutting edge designs since 2005, she was already commissioned to create a custom piece for Warner Brothers Recording Artist "Mozella." Not surprisingly music is a big inspiration to her. She even has a "Music Inspired" section on her own website (http://www.anoriginaljewelry.com/). "I am also inspired by people in general. Sometimes when I meet someone I can imagine a piece that would go with their personality," she explains. "I like to do things that are eye catching while keeping in mind that eye catching doesn't necessarily mean huge or neon colors," she says of her edgy yet elegant style. She has been fortunate enough to turn her art into her career. "I am really throwing everything I have into this. Hopefully I can forge ahead and make a name for myself." She is committed to being a valuable part of the Etsy community, sharing her knowledge and helping other artists get exposure. "There is nothing wrong with sharing suppliers or tips," she suggests. "I do it all the time. I really believe that the beauty in this community is our access to each other. We are each others greatest resource! I think if you look at everyone as competition you're only hurting yourself. I love to buy jewelry and crafts from other artisans on Etsy, I believe you need to give support to get it back!" Well said. Please check out her Etsy shop: http://anoriginaljewelry.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/