BlossomTextiles on Etsy! Interview :)

Name: My name is Maia Wade. 

Location: I am currently located in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. I grew up here, and have never actually lived anywhere else. 

Age: 19 

Name of shop: Blossom Textiles

 How'd you come up with the name of your shop: Blossom, or Cherry Blossom is my spirit name. I took part in some wilderness guide programs growing up, and part of it was to choose a spirit name. Blossom, represents to me, the infinite opening of something new. fertility, growth, and unconditional love.

 How long has your shop been open: 1 whole month!

 What gave you the idea about opening an Etsy shop: I had been thinking about it for a while, and a year ago I almost opened my shop. When I was 7 I won a prize for a bonnet that I crocheted for my cat, and it all started there. Since I was about 13 I have been selling my art to friends, and at some stores in my town. The last two years I got more serious about it, selling at fairs, and creating more quality pieces. Also in the last two years, my health has been failing, which is the big reason for my Etsy shop. I want to support myself with the things I make and sell, so that I can have more energy to work on my health.

 Is this a hobby of yours or do you do this full time?: This has been a hobby most of my life, and I am in a sort of transition period right now, in employing myself full time. I am very entrepreneurial, and self motivated, so I have high hopes. 

What kind of items do you sell in your shop: I sell handmade pendants, mostly unisex gemstone necklaces. What I make, grows and changes with time though, so stay tuned! I post everything new on Facebook and Instagram first usually. 

Your favorite item that you sell: My favorite item that I am selling right now would have to be my unisex Texada Flower Rock pendant, because Texada Island is very close to where I live, and that is where the stone is found! It is beautiful like no other. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/243047970/texada-flower-rock-stone-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=texada

Retails:($27.20)

 Something you want to happen to your shop in the future: I hope that my shop can become more popular! I love to travel, and this winter I will be going to Asia again. I hope that I can support myself while abroad, with my Etsy store and selling in person too. 

Do you have any plans for your shop products in the future: If so what: Very soon, I will be having a photo shoot with my beautiful friend Taylor Pollard!  www.facebook.com/pages/Taylor-Clare-Photography That is her Facebook page! She takes amazing pictures, and I cant wait for her to photograph my pendants. She will take my shop to the next level with her professionalism 

 What is something you want your future customers to know about your shop: I would love for my customers to know that I am very easy going! I would love to work with them personally, and make sure that every purchase is a personal experience. If anyone has questions, comments, or criticisms, feel free to send me a message! Shop link: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BlossomTextiles

My personal favorite item that she has for sale in her shop has got to be this beautiful crystal wrapped necklace. This piece is absolutely beautiful. The material used to make this necklace is German silver wire, which is wrapped around the crystal. The cord of the actual necklace is waxed cotton.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/242944503/prehnite-crystal-wrapped-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_21

Retails:($31.08)

Make sure you check her shop out here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlossomTextiles?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Seadbeady on Etsy! Interview :)

Name: Renata Feyen
 

Location: Belgium
 

Age: 52
 

Name of shop: Seadbeady
 

How'd you come up with the name of your shop: I work a lot with seed beads and I accidently spelled it wrong first and kinda liked it so I kept it like that :)
 

How long has your shop been open: It has been open since 2013 - but I realized then that my work wasn't good enough so I closed it again until march 2014 - took me 3 months to make my first sale
 

What gave you the idea about opening an etsy shop: My niece told me about Etsy and I really liked the thought that I would be selling worldwide
 

Is this a hobby of your or do you do this full time?: It is a hobby but it has turned into a passion. Hardly a day goes by without me making my beadworks. I do spend from 2 to 5 or 6 hours on it in a day.
 

What kind of items do you sell in your shop: I sell necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches. Most of it made with small seed beads.
 

Your favorite item that you sell: That would have to be the Bargello. They are the most sold item in my shop and also on local markets. They take about 10 hours or more to make and most of them are with Swarovski crystal and some with gemstones.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/231109760/pink-crystal-necklace-with-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_9&ga_search_query=Bargello
Retails:($39.63)

Something you want to happen to your shop in the future: So many things I could still want for - I would love to be on a magazine or featured on the Etsy blogs.
 

Do you have any plans for your shop products in the future: My main plan is to get even more creative and get more out of my comfort zone. I already have made a few items like that - like my butterfly necklace. I am also always trying to improve the materials I work with. The more special items I can sell the better materials I can get. I have upgraded a lot already - I am now working with Miyuki and Toho - those are the best beads you can get for beadwork, and I started working with glass crystals and now am working with Swarovski crystals. I have bought more gemstones and am hoping to get even more expensive ones in the future.

 

What is something you want your future customers to know about your shop: Everything in my shop is made by myself with special sewing thread for jewelry. I work with quality materials. I also love getting special requests.

My favorite item in this shop has got to be this bracelet, it's absolutely beautiful. I'm in love with the colors in this bracelet it reminds me a lot of Elsa from frozen.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/231929254/sodalite-bracelet-in-blue-with-sodalite?ref=shop_home_active_8
Retails:($32.84)

Check out her shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Seadbeady?ref=shop_sugg