Artist Showcase - Bellaliz Jewelry

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase where our artist is Marin of Bellaliz Jewelry.  Marin handcrafts dainty jewelry from gemstones that dazzles with beauty.  Here is one of Marin's lovely designs.

Round Cut Black Gemstone Bracelet

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My name is Marin, I’m 32 years old and I have a handmade Jewelry shop named Bellaliz. I finished my first degree in communication, art and creation major in photography and then I decided to pursue my dream and handcraft my own jewelry.

Silver Layered Chunky Bracelet

How did you get your start?

Ever since I was little, I always loved handcrafting. I used to collect beads and other materials from my mother’s jewelry, and create my own with it. The idea of wearing jewelry that went through a long family line has always fascinated me. Now I handcraft dainty jewelry from sterling silver, gold filled, gemstones and other unique stones.

Red Drop Dangle Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from different eras; my everyday life, photography, art and fashion, mostly from the 50’s and the 60’s, that way I can connect between the old and the new design. Some of my inspiration comes from people needs, their questions and products they want or need.

Black Swarovski Pendant with a Gold Crown

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

It’s hard to point on just one moment, I think it's made up of many small successful ones that making me proud of my hard work. That moment that I’ve opened my store on ETSY and became a small business owner, my first sale, my first jewelry exhibition and every thank you note since then.

Blue Gemstone Ring

What challenges do you face selling online?

Target audience and reaching them this is the hardest challenge. There is a great range of products all over the internet and you have to offer something that will catch the customer eye with good photography, composition, price and variety of products.

Geometric Wooden Black Necklace

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Patience, this is the most important advice that I can give. It’s takes time to understand the platform.

Thank you Marin for sharing your story with us. If you would like to see more of Marin, you can follow her on Facebook.

Next week we'll feature another Etsy artist.  If you would like to be considered, please drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Artist Showcase - Aralia Designs

Welcome to this week's Artist Showcase. This week's artist is Cherie from Aralia Designs. Aralia Designs has beautiful unique handcrafted jewelry.

Sterling Silver Rope Chain & Faceted Bezel Set Turquoise Stone Necklace

 

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.

Coordinating Blue Agate and Cloisonne Bracelets

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!

Bright Silver Wire Wrapped Crystal Earrings

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!

Sparkling Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Necklace

Elephant Jasper, Picture Jasper, and Bronzite Jasper Simple Stone Bracelet 

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! 

 

Iridescent Green Czech Bead, Silver Pearl and Natural Leather Bohemian Bracelet

 

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,