Her works focus on handmade wire wrapped jewelry with semi precious beads, glass and crystal - necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings - warm, natural, earthy and beautiful.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
Accountant by day, jewelry maker by night! I make rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings with wire and stone mostly. It amazes me that these basic elements are so beautiful and multidimensional. I especially enjoy the colour, depth, variety and weight of stone. My family has been involved with my Etsy shop - providing lots of encouragement. My talented husband takes the pictures and even built a light box to get them just right. My son helps with shipping and contributes ideas towards design.
Which part of creation process that you like to do the most?
I find designing the most challenging and the most irritating and the most rewarding. But I also enjoy learning new skills - although I haven't taken any classes - for me its all trial and error, trying to translate what I see in my mind's eye into a finished piece. Lately I have been working mostly on perfecting spirals and hammering wire. What I love the very most is when something goes wildly different from where I thought it was going and by some miracle it works.
What is your favourite item in your shop?
My favourite item is this ring. I love the warmth of the bronze wire against the sparkle of the fire agates. I think the combination of bronze and orange is unique and feels special to me. Another of my favourites is this necklace.
My mother gave me a vintage string of black beads that I took apart and made into several pieces that are now in my shop. She was so inspired that she has been buying up all the jewelry at the local thrift shop - and giving them to me! I am not sure what to do with them all... yet
What is your best seller?
I am pretty new to selling online - I haven't been selling long enough to discern a pattern. I especially love to make the rings, but I understand that they can be hard to sell online because of the sizing. I have been putting the ring sizes in, but I plan to to add in the inside dimensions so people can measure their finger with a measuring tape or a string.
What is your goal for 2010? And are you on the right track?
My first shop goal for 2010 was to create and post a new item every day. And my second goal was to build my shop inventory to 150 items. Now I am looking at some of the older posts and applying what I have learned in the forums about cropping pictures and tagging. I also did a craft show and plan to do another one in the fall. I feel like I have learned so much since I opened my shop on December 19, 2009! I have had so many people give me comments and even had a full critique. To me, its all about learning and growing and sharing and I am definitely on the right track there.
Way to go Tracey! I admire your work and your dedication to learning more each and every day.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's giveaway!
Thanks so much for featuring me in your lovely blog! I have not been in a blog before. Tracey
ReplyDeleteLooks like Tracey, you are off to a great start! Best wishes for success! Thanks for sharing with us! Love the ring.....
ReplyDeleteHer favorite ring in the shop is my favorite ring too, except I like it in the silver! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of jewelry on etsy with the metal worked into spirals - I'd love to see new shapes and designs!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful work
ReplyDeleteI love your rings. Tracey, I want to see more rings in your shop!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! ^^ Your pieces are amazing! I admire the work and dedication you put into each and every piece. It's also nice to know that your craft has been sort of a bonding thing for your family because each one is involved. Good luck on your goals and wish you all the best! c:
ReplyDeleteI think the items are beautiful. I do think it would be nice if there were some perspective photos. You list the sizes of stones and lengths of chains in the description, but sometimes it would be nice to see them next to something I know the size of (a coin, for example). Also, some of the necklaces weren't shown on a person, so it's hard for me to judge how long it would be. However, all your stuff is really pretty!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see more rings like her favorite! I adore that one too :) Great interview!
ReplyDeleteI learned that you work by trial and error. I love this because this is how I work too - although my crafts never come out quite as beautiful as your pieces ;)
ReplyDeleteI saw the fire agates ring in your shop and really loved it too! Such pretty colors together! It's great that you are so passionate about what you are doing and I hope it can one day take you away from the accountant's office! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing us/ ME to Tracey and TBEADS - I just love her designs and creations. I immediately added her to my Etsy Favorites along with many of her designs. I love so many of them I've lost track of how many - but her sense of style and use of bold yet natural colors is just exactly what my wardrobe needs!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!