Featured Seller: Kendra Renee

Today's featured seller is Kendra of Kendra Renee Jewelry Design on Etsy.

 My name is Kendra Lawrence and my business is called Kendra Renee Jewelry Design. I think of myself as an artist, jeweler, and businesswoman. You could say I am completely obsessed with jewelry. I have always loved jewelry, and have made my own as long as I can remember. About two years ago I was introduced to metalsmithing and knew that I had found my passion. I can play with metal all day, every day and never become bored. I delight in creation and the physical realization of an idea. I just can’t seem to get enough.

I started selling on etsy about a year ago, although I joined long before. Etsy is an amazing tool, and I am so grateful to its creators and administrators. They make it possible for so many artists, myself included, to do what they love. I am learning new things from the online craft community every day, and this helps to fuel my excitement and inspiration.
When I am designing, I think about how my work will interact with the body. I try to incorporate motion into all my pieces, so that they move with the wearer. I develop contrast between textures, colors, and shapes within each piece to maximize their dramatic impact. I am not afraid of asymmetry! I find myself taking inspiration from mechanical objects as well as natural phenomenon.
Each piece is completely handcrafted. I begin the process with flat sheets of metal and wire, and carefully shape, forge, and solder each component of the design. I strive to make works of the highest quality that enhance the personality of the wearer. I am kind of a shy person, and so for me, wearing my own bold creations is the way I express my inner strength and creativity to the world. My hope is that others can see this in my work and feel it when they wear my pieces.
Links:
Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kendra-Renee-Jewelry-Design/89092182689?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kendrareneejd
Etsy: www.KendraRenee.etsy.com
Personal Website: www.KendraReneeJewelry.com

Featured Seller: Electric Penguin

My featured seller this week is Electric Penguin, who has a very fun jewelry shop up on Etsy at http://www.electricpenguin.etsy.com/. Last year, Electric Penguin was searching for a style necklace she couldn't find anywhere, and decided, "I might be able to make that!" She grew up crafting and sewing, so she made the trip to her local craft store, gathered supplies, and made exactly what she wanted.

The necklace was so successful, she moved on to stretchy bracelets and earrings. So many stretchy bracelets and earrings she decided to start selling to friends, which led to her discovery of Etsy.

When she found Etsy, it was love at first sight. Last month she opened up shop after much inventory and shop information preparation. So far, it has been much more work than she expected, but she loves every minute of it.

Electric Penguin - It has been well worth your hard work!

JustineJustine - my first featured seller

My featured seller this week is Justine of JustineJustine's etsy shop. She makes funky jewelry and fun bags. She has been selling jewelry since she was 14 years old.  One day she decided she had to do something with all of the jewelry she was making, so she just stepped into a local store and asked them if they were interested. Because of her age, she didn’t expect them to take her seriously, they did, and they sold her jewelry there for four years.

Justine was born in Belgium but fell in love with Mexico when she visited on an exchange program when she was 18. She stayed for a year, and went back to Belgium to study Jewelry Design in Antwerp and later went to Spain to study in La Escola Massana in Barcelona.

After her studies she moved back to Mexico and began selling her jewelry in local shops. Last year she decided running around to all the shops to check inventory too time consuming so she began to search for a place to sell online. She found Etsy, and loved that she could control the whole selling process and the customer experience.

Justine is a part-time Etsy seller. When she is not making jewelry and handbags, she is coordinating an exchange program for American Students who want to learn Spanish.

Justine lives in Oaxaca wither boyfriend and her cat Maru.

On the web, she can be found at http://www.justinejustine.etsy.com/, www.twitter.com/JustineJewelry,and on Facebook

Justine's 1 year Etsy anniversary is next week, in celebration, she is having a great giveaway. to enter visit http://www.justine-justine-justine.blogspot.com/ for a chance at winning a pair of great bottlecap earrings.