Featured Shop: Designs Are Unique

Thank you very much, Debbie for taking the time to answer a few questions about your etsy business: DesignsAreUnique.etsy.com I am very happy and honored to feature your shop! Please visit Debbie's shop to see more BEAUTIFUL One-Of-A-Kind Jewelry.

Q. How did you hear about Etsy?
A. I have a friend/co-worker who buys a lot of her gifts from Etsy. She knows I love to make jewelry, so she told me what a great place Etsy is for handmade items. Once I did some browsing through many different stores, I was HOOKED! I had tried my luck on eBay, and not to knock it, but it wasn't for me. I think a lot of the handmade items get overlooked there.

Q. What made you decide to sell on Etsy?
A. I decided to go with Etsy because I loved the fact that everything was handmade! It makes the item special to me, knowing that a person's heart and soul are in that item!

Q. How did you originally get into handmade one of a kind jewelry and which materials do you use to create your pieces?
A. I have been crafting since I was young. I started out with wood, moved to fabric, then on to brass tubing. I got caught up in beading but also explored stained and painted glass, only to come back to beading. I enjoy being able to put my ideas into jewelry, and hopefully making someone happy!

Q. What motivates and inspires you to create?
A. Everything from different colors to nature to a certain bead triggers ideas. I spend hours in bead shops because there is so much to look at and I‘m just fascinated by beads. I make a lot of trips to the bead shop in Frankenmuth, and my family and boyfriend have to drag me out! I'm always the last one still looking at the many, many wonderful, unique beads there are. My idea of heaven would be to own my own bead shop and be constantly surrounded by beads, although I would hate to part with any of them!

Q. What are your interests outside Etsy?
A. I am a graphic artist during the day, and I really enjoy it. It’s another creative outlet that allows me to put my ideas down on paper. I enjoy traveling all over Michigan on the back of my boyfriend "Bear's" bike! I love spending time with him, my daughter Amanda, and close friends. Family and friends are very important to me!

Q. What is your best advice for new Etsy sellers?
A. Don't give up if your sales are slow! Keep on blogging. Stay in touch with other Etsy members because we all care about each other and there‘s great support available out there. I’m always open to advice or suggestions to help me not only make more sales but keep my customers happy. I would say to keep an open mind when others offer advice or suggestions but also don‘t forget that this is your shop so always listen to your heart!!!

Thank you very much, Debbie.