Feature Shop: ScissorGoddess

If you've participated in our business card swaps (and you should!), then you've met Nicole of ScissorGoddess. The swaps were her idea, and she's been running and organizing them for about a year now. Meet this busy mom and three and learn more about her creations! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?

Nicole

Where are you located?

Lehighton, PA

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a SAHM of three little girls ages 8, 7, and 2. My time is consumed by my girls, being an active member of the school’s PTO, and helping my neighbors with babysitting. When I can manage to find some free time I love to read, draw, paint, sew, and of course -- craft! 

What do you sell in your Etsy shop?

Different types of accessories for all age ranges: Hair clips and bows, necklaces, and bracelets.

Upcycled Sunny Yellow Vinyl Record Cuff Bracelet

How long have you been crafting? 

I’ve always been inclined to make things for myself but really started crafting in early 2009 when my daughters got interested in hair clips but I felt that the retail stores overcharged for poor quality items. Then it just sort of spiraled from there into other types of accessories.

What or who got you started in your craft? 

YouTube is where I got started with simple clips and bows; once you get the basics down it’s really easy to expand with your own ideas.

Tell us the story behind this item: Upcycled Funky Fashion Necklace. What inspired you? How did you choose the materials/colors/etc.

This necklace is actually up-cycled from three or four other necklaces that I had purchased for myself and were either broken or unworn. I don’t like to waste anything so I disassembled them and played with the parts until I came up with something I thought was pretty and interesting. My middle daughter loves this necklace because it’s her favorite colors and she says it’s very “rockstar.”

OOAK Upcycled Funky Fashion Necklace

How did your shop get its name?

Everything I create starts by being cut; from ribbons and bows to metal for beading, my world revolves around a good pair of scissors. I played around with a bunch of different shop names and when I came up with ScissorGoddess, it just seemed to fit me best.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?

Some days are more difficult than others, any SAHM mom knows what I mean! It’s really about committing to make the time for your shop and all the steps that go into keeping it running. 

Disney Cinderella Shimmery Blue Boutique Bow

What is one piece of advice or a tip you'd give other stay-at-home moms?

A giant calendar and scheduling EVERYTHING! Each year I buy a desk-sized calendar and attach magnets to the back so it can be on the fridge. I have a magnetic locker bin that holds pens and highlighters right next to the calendar so I can jot things down as they come up. There is nothing that happens in this house that isn’t on the calendar! There are only two rules with the calendar: mark events/appointments/etc. as soon as you have the information, and don’t over schedule any day. The calendar is my guideline for maintaining my business just like a job, if a day is too busy then it’s a day off from crafting but I can also clearly see where there’s time to get my “work” in too. It’s a real lifesaver and we’ve been using it for over two years now.

Do you have a favorite quote or inspirational saying you'd like to share?

No pain, no gain

What do you like to browse for on Etsy?

I love to check out other shops to see what neat things are popular, maybe gain some inspiration for my own shop in the process. Most of my searches are random by keyword, for example if I’m not having a good day I may search “happy” and then just browse from there, it works really well to lift my spirits.

Sassy Schoolgirl Black And Pink Plaid Set Of Two Bows

What is your favorite Etsy shop currently?

My longtime favorite has been www.etsy.com/shop/schin. I get inspired to create every time I visit her page.

Where can we find you?

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ScissorGoddess

Facebook: www.facebook.com/scissorgoddess

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/Scissor_Goddess

Lost In Wonderland Long Chain And Charm Necklace OOAK

Feature Shop: Pink Paisley Boutique

I've spent a fair amount of time ooh-ing and aah-ing over the jewelry pieces in Pink Paisley Boutique. Meet Sarah, the creative mom behind it all! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Sarah Schmidt

Where are you located?
The lovely western 'burbs of Chicago.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a mother to three crazy kids and a wife to a wonderful German man, who I somehow convinced to move across the world for me. I love, love, love projects...it could be DIY projects around our old house, fixing up my daughter's room, gardening and, of course, making jewelry.

Silver Jumble Necklace

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
Shoppers will find trendy, handmade jewelry at very affordable prices. There are a few tried and true styles that I keep around and will remake but, most of the time, I am trying to come up with new, original pieces.

How/why did you get started?
Like a lot of people on Etsy, I started making jewelry for fun. A good friend of mine taught me some of the basics and from there I was hooked, mostly because I loved being able to make something exactly the way I would want to wear it. I started selling to friends, then friends of friends, at parties, local craft shows, and then Etsy.

Multi-colored Bauble Bracelet

How long have you been crafting?
I've always loved creating; I can remember trying to sew myself a skirt when I was around 8.... needless to say, it didn't turn out that great! I've also dabbled in photography. But I have been making jewelry for the past 3 years.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Necklaces! There is something so feminine about draping something pretty around your neck. I never tire of trying to make necklaces that really grab attention.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I really enjoy recreating old jewelry into something new. Many times, clients will bring me sentimental pieces of jewelry that have been inherited, and I will create a brand new piece of jewelry, incorporating those special items. It makes me feel good to know that I've made a wearable memory for someone.

What inspires you to create?
Oh anything and everything! Color, fashion, the right music.

Handsewn Linen and Pearl Cuff

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
A nice cup of hot tea.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
It is an ever-evolving process, isn't it? I set aside a few hours every day for work, usually when at least two out of three kids are in school. Sometimes that means laundry will go unfolded for a little longer but, I figure, the more I treat my jewelry making like a job, the more successful I will become.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?

I love checking out vintage shops, not only for interesting pieces of jewelry but also for architectural finds, like old corbels somebody has pulled out of a house. I am a sucker for striking photography, if the item has been photographed well, I may just favorite the item for the sake of the photo alone.

Pastel Pearl Bauble Necklace

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
Probably driving my kids to or from whatever activity they're involved in at the moment!

Where can we find you?
www.shoppinkpaisley.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/PinkPaisleyChicago

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanFarmgirlAndCo: This shop always has something new to look at and her pictures are gorgeous.

Feature Shop: Exhausted Creativity Jewelry and EC Rosaries

Happy Wednesday! This week, I'd like you to meet Rachel of Exhausted Creativity Jewelry and EC Rosaries. A creative mom of two, she runs two Etsy shops in her quiet time. She's also an active member of our team -- thanks for your participation, Rachel! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Rachel Rode

Where are you located?
I live outside Chicago in the suburb of New Lenox.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm the SAHM of two kids -- Justin (almost 7) and Jenna (3) -- and married 11 years to Paul, the most awesome husband in the world! I've been creative since I was very young, dabblng in pencil and pastel drawing; painting with oils, watercolors, and acrylics; ceramics; clay/pottery; fiber arts; sewing ... I really should have majored in art in college, but I graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in music. I love to sing, and I play the piano. A few years ago, I took my first jewelry class, and I was hooked!

Autumn Color Pendant

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
I have two shops on Etsy: Exhausted Creativity Jewelry and EC Rosaries.

ECJ features classic and fashion jewelry primarily for women, and I also have accessories for men and teens. I like to try my hand at trendy pieces, such as dictionary illustration pendants, robin egg nest pendants and earrings, and wire-wrapped pendants and rings with crystals. But I also enjoy making more classically styled pieces: multistrand beaded necklaces, hand-knotted pearl and gemstone necklaces and bracelets, classic tie tacks, and elegant gemstone drop earrings just to name a few. I guess you could say I make everything from boho to bridal! If it isn't listed on my shop, just ask...I can probably make it!

My other shop, ECR, has Catholic and Anglican rosaries, rosary bracelets, chaplets, tenners and religious jewelry. There I primarily use gemstones, pewter, sterling, and bronze. I make beaded, hand-knotted, and both traditional and modern wire-wrapped pieces.

Christian Prayer Beads (Anglican Rosary)

How/why did you get started?
After I took a couple of jewelry classes at a local shop, I started making jewelry for every occasion I could think of. I gave it as gifts and made pieces for myself. People had such nice things to say about it, and some even encouraged me to sell it. So back in December 2010, I decided to take the plunge and open an Etsy shop. It's a desperately needed creative outlet, and my goal is to be successful enough to support the household with the income.

How long have you been crafting?
I've been making jewelry for the past 4 or 5 years since taking my first class. I spend a lot of time learning new techniques, and the quality of my jewelry has improved immensely, even since opening my shop.

What is your favorite thing to make?
It's hard to say what is my favorite thing to make. Every piece is important to me, and I so thoroughly enjoy the process each time. I like to make rosaries because there is a "formula" to follow, like a recipe. But I also enjoy the dynamic process of taking some gorgeous beads and allowing the creative process to dictate what they become. I make and remake pieces until I am happy with them. I don't sell it if I wouldn't wear it myself.

Octopus Pendant - Vintage Dictionary Illustration

What are your favorite materials to work with?
My favorite things to work with are sterling silver, bronze, and all manner of natural gemstones. I prefer gemstones for their earthy, organic quality. Each gemstone possesses a natural energy that can enhance the finished jewelry piece. I also use a lot of Swarovski crystals in my work because they add shine and "bling" to my work.

What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by nature, personal history, and circumstances when creating my pieces. Nature is the perfect color and texture palette, and nature provides the best resources and materials. By history and circumstances, I mean that I am moved by personal experiences and events around me, especially when creating my rosaries and chaplets. For example, I purchased a beautiful rosary center of Mary nursing baby Jesus, and I was so moved by the image to make a rosary bracelet intended for breastfeeding mothers. It reminded me of the beautiful bond between my children and I that was shared when I was nursing them. There is a lot of emotion in my work!

Aqua Blue Chunky Two Strand Necklace

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
One thing I have to have when I work is relative quietness. I prefer to work while completely alone (hard to do with kiddos!) but the one thing I ask is that everyone keeps the noise down. I think and pray while I work, and it is a personal time of reflection for me.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
I am still figuring out the balance of mothering and work! Let me know if anyone perfects it because I don't think it's possible. Mothering IS work, and I feel like mothering is my ultimate call. Any time my attention is away from my children, I feel guilty. I know my children are learning self-sufficiency during times that "mommy can't right now." But I try to keep those times to a minimum, and I work mostly at night ... that's why I called my shop Exhausted Creativity.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
I browse Etsy for everything, but my favorite thing is to look for goodies for my kids! In fact, my daughter's birthday is this weekend, and I've been shopping for amigurimi dolls. I love it -- so much fun to browse and get ideas.

Genuine Amethyst, Sterling Silver and
Swarovski Crystal Dangle Earrings

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
When I am not crafting, I am usually doing household chores and doing things with the kids. When I'm not doing those things, I'm squeezing in time to list new items and shop for supplies.

Where can we find you?
I am found many places. My shops are:
www.exhaustedcreativity.etsy.com and www.ecrosaries.etsy.com
I have a facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Exhausted-Creativity-Jewelry/103651389718640
I have a twitter account: @JewelryEC
And I have a blog: www.exhaustedcreativityjewelry.com

My plan is to have pieces available at local businesses and craft shows as well, but that is still undetermined yet.

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
My favorite shop on Etsy? I can't pick just one! I love AmyPerrotti - she makes gorgeous prints of matryoshka dolls in all ethnicities. (I have six of them in my daughter's room!) StorybookStyles makes wonderful costumes and clothing for kids. And I just discovered EvesLittleEarthlings with her Waldorf-inspired creations. From a creative standpoint, I am very fond of Watchings, PureOXFaith, TaviaSanza, SunnySideUpStudio, TuckooandMooCow, PrayerBedes, KSickles, FlorLarios, and Skrynka.