Every week we are happy and proud to introduce a member of our outstanding team! They come from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and artistic horizons, but they all have one thing in common : they are driven, creative, dynamic, and dedicated to their Etsy business and to their team, SPST!
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Today we are so excited to introduce Michelle, a very enthusiastic and dynamic jeweler and Etsy shop owner! Michelle opened her Etsy shop, called "Donkey and the Unicorn", in October 2013.
In Michelle's shop you can find what she likes to call "Kooky, Kitschy & Casual Jewelry": necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, for ladies, women and gorgeous little girls.
Let's meet Michelle, creative Donkey and mother of a lovely Unicorn !
I sell on Etsy so that I can feed my love of beading. I LOVE going to the store and picking out new things, browsing Etsy for Destash and generally any new jewelry making stuff. In order to keep creating I need to shop, in order to purchase, I need to sell. In order to sell, I need to keep making. It's really just an endless cycle and I LOVE it.
What inspires you for your designs?
A lot of my designs are really just free hand. I look through my collection, something catches my eye and I start creating around it.
Occasionally I will have an inspiration and wake up with an idea in my head, however most days I wake up and if I see the sun shining I want to bead. I love to work in the bright natural light.
On the rare day that I can get my daughter, The Unicorn, to create with me, she will give me some new ideas. In fact the necklace I am working on currently, was her concept.
How did you choose the name of your Etsy shop?
This is really quite simple. I can write but I can rarely title. I asked my husband for advice and I said "how about The Donkey and the Unicorn?" See one day my daughter, who loves Unicorns, was teasing me about not taking a break from beading and said "work Donkey". And as a mother I often inform my family I feel like "the family pack mule". So I decided to embrace my lot in life! I deemed myself the Donkey, and figured the name would work perfectly! Since both my daughter and I create the jewelry in our shop, the name seemed fitting.
What is your personal favorite item from your shop?
That is SO hard for me to decide! From day to day my tastes will change. The items that I wear most often myself though are my Alien Necklaces and one bracelet I never listed for sale. Its my "All the Stars in Space" Bracelet. I told my husband that I was going to make that bracelet one day and NO ONE was going to get it but me. Since I created it I have coveted it and will never give it up. I should make more like it!
Are you a buyer on Etsy as well? What do you usually look to buy?
I am a shopper as well. I love to buy Jewelry supplies and Destash the most. I also look for anything my family would love. I bought my husband's Christmas gift off Etsy. I am ALWAYS on the prowl for unique gifts for everyone in my life, myself included.
Where do you usually work? Describe your workshop or work environment.
I work where ever the sun is shining in my house. Until two weeks ago I had taken over the kitchen table, excellent natural lighting. After so many days of packing everything up and putting it away, I decided to take over our home office. I have a table set up in there with excellent sunshine all day long. Once the snow is gone I will probably take my stuff out onto my deck and work under the sun with the birds singing away. I have been out there beading until its too dark and the mosquitoes are too viscous to fend off any longer. I am anxious for those days again.
What are the top 3 tips you would like to share with new sellers?
Top three things to share with new sellers. Lets see, I guess I would say:
1) Don't give up. I am still very new, have only had two sales to date. It took a few months to get a sale and it was discouraging. But I hung in there, once those sales did come their will thrilling.
2) Join an active team and stay involved. I have learned so much from the Strategic Promotion for Success team. They have given me links to a vast amount of knowledge. I have learned the importance of great pictures, an eye catching banner, use of tag words, and other excellent Shop improvement ideas. Not to mention all the great new items I must have! Without Teams I would be completely stuck, one in a billion jewelry makers online.
3) Third and most importantly if all else fails "Sweep the Leg". Ha ha, a Karate Kid reference; really just a reminder to not take life to seriously. I live by the believe that everything happens the way it was meant to be. So you didn't sell anything today, there is always tomorrow. That person who was meant to find your creation, will just wait. Or as Dory says "Just keep swimming."
Visit Michelle's shop today : www.etsy.com/shop/DonkeyAndTheUnicorn
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If you are a member of the SPS Team and wish to be featured on our Team Blog in the series of articles 'Meet our Team Members' do not hesitate to contact our Leader, Natalie!
PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER:
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My name is Natalie. I am a French-Canadian gal, but I live in South Korea. My passion is called "Hanji" : sumptuous Korean paper made of mulberry pulp. Hanji has been used for a thousand years in Korea to create decorative or ceremonial objects. For me, it is essential to offer useful and practical objects, that can enjoyed on a daily basis. Tissue cases, pen holders, jewelry, fridge magnets, hair accessories: let the beauty and unique character of Hanji paper make our everyday life objects irresistible!
 
www.etsy.com/shop/HanjiNaty
Follow Natalie's Blog For The Latest Updates To Her Shop www.hanjinaty.com |
Thank you for the fabulous feature.
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