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Graduated Crystal Pearl Collar Necklace |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Huntsville, Alabama
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Actually, for me, my inspiration and motivation comes from my customers, after they have received their final jewelry orders from me ... When I get responses back about how much they love their jewelry and that it even brings tears to their eyes at the beauty of it, this makes what I do so very worth it all!!!
What medium do you work with mostly?
I work with mainly beaded jewelry, but have also worked with bead weaving, polymer clay, and wirework. My favorite technique is designing and creating wedding jewelry using crystals and pearls, based on the bride's colors and theme, which I request up front.
Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I have always been interested in arts and crafts since I was a child. I discovered jewelry-making when I joined a craft kit of the month club, and I just really took a special interest in the beading/jewelry kits.
I wanted to cut costs for my own wedding back in January 2011, so I decided to create and design the jewelry for my entire wedding party. Everyone loved their jewelry and I received all kinds of compliments and was told that I should try selling my jewelry. My wedding photographer is the one who actually introduced me to Etsy, and so by May 2011, I had an Etsy shop open with several crystal pearl and crystal wedding jewelry sets and hair barrettes. I only received 3 orders in the first 6 months, but I did not give up. I read as much as I could get my hands on, regarding marketing and selling jewelry, from books I found, to researching online, and also read through the Etsy seller handbook. I worked, and still work, on my product photos, as that's what customers rely on when purchasing online. The pictures have to be awesome!! But there are so many other aspects of having an online small business, and even though it is challenging and requires a lot of time and patience, I feel that I am getting there and I love it all!! :-)
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Graduated Crystal Pearl Collar Necklace
What inspired this design?
I love working with crystal pearls, and since I had taught myself bead weaving, or stitched, jewelry, I wanted to try to make something with a bead weaving technique, so I used right-angle weave to create this piece.
How did it come together?
I had been teaching myself various bead stitching techniques by looking through books and researching lessons online. I found a technique I loved, right-angle weave (or RAW), and drew a picture of what I wanted the design to look like. I just started stitching pearls together to create a graduated look with the different sized pearls. I chose white, rose, and powder rose crystal pearls, as they seemed to blend together well. I will admit that it took several attempts before I was able to get it looking like it is now! And it turned out great, I think!!
Where and How do you sell your jewelry?
Currently I sell the majority of my jewelry on Etsy, but I have also made sales through my Facebook page, Pinterest, and through my own website, www.AWRDesigns.com, which I am still trying to improve on. |
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