Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.
I am part of an entrepreneurial family - small business just seems to be part of our DNA. Helping my father start a company 30 years ago was a great learning experience. One of my daughters has a growing pet photography business and the other is just beginning a baby layette business.
Aralia Designs is a dream come true for me as I can work at home around family needs and during the hours that I’m most creative and productive. My husband appreciates this and is very supportive. Yet, many of my projects are portable and technology is such that my business is with me wherever I go.
I am part of an entrepreneurial family - small business just seems to be part of our DNA. Helping my father start a company 30 years ago was a great learning experience. One of my daughters has a growing pet photography business and the other is just beginning a baby layette business.
Aralia Designs is a dream come true for me as I can work at home around family needs and during the hours that I’m most creative and productive. My husband appreciates this and is very supportive. Yet, many of my projects are portable and technology is such that my business is with me wherever I go.
How did you get your start?
Really, it started when I first began buying retail jewelry. I would get it home and examine it thinking if I changed this and added that I would like it better. Before I knew it I was repairing jewelry for family members and taking classes at my local bead shops. My daughters actually suggested Etsy as a great venue. I had never heard of it and now I can’t imagine life without it!
Where do you get your inspiration?
It’s everywhere. Nature is a great source of inspiration for color and shape. Surprisingly, so is fresh food! I watch closely what people are wearing in person and on television. I also read whatever I can in newspapers and magazines about upcoming color and style trends in clothing, jewelry and even home goods and furniture.
What has been your biggest successful moment so far?
Probably that first review – it was positive! This is a customer oriented business. Pleasing the people that shop with me is my greatest success!
It’s everywhere. Nature is a great source of inspiration for color and shape. Surprisingly, so is fresh food! I watch closely what people are wearing in person and on television. I also read whatever I can in newspapers and magazines about upcoming color and style trends in clothing, jewelry and even home goods and furniture.
What has been your biggest successful moment so far?
Probably that first review – it was positive! This is a customer oriented business. Pleasing the people that shop with me is my greatest success!
What challenges do you face selling online?
Well, trying to present your pieces accurately. Size, scale, quality, color, texture.....these are all difficult to convey in print. I try to use a model as often as I can. It helps to give the shopper perspective and hopefully to imagine what the piece would look like on her.
What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?
Put your heart into it. And while initially you may feel that everyone is your competitor, it isn’t really so. Etsy is a very welcoming community offering tremendous support and learning resources. Use them and remember to give back through treasuries showcasing other’s work and through the many teams. You probably won’t get rich but you’ll meet a lot of wonderful people!
Well, trying to present your pieces accurately. Size, scale, quality, color, texture.....these are all difficult to convey in print. I try to use a model as often as I can. It helps to give the shopper perspective and hopefully to imagine what the piece would look like on her.
What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?
Put your heart into it. And while initially you may feel that everyone is your competitor, it isn’t really so. Etsy is a very welcoming community offering tremendous support and learning resources. Use them and remember to give back through treasuries showcasing other’s work and through the many teams. You probably won’t get rich but you’ll meet a lot of wonderful people!
Thank you Cherie for sharing your story with us. If you would like to see more of Cherie's beautiful designs, follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to showcase. If you would like to be considered, please drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.
Thanks for stopping by...
Until next time,
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