BlueBrooch

Blue Brooch is a wonderful shop on Etsy. There is everything from the cutest booties to amazing jewelry! Take a look:


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a South African by birth and a globetrotter by believe!! The last 7 years I have been living and working at game lodges in Africa together with my husband. We live in a pretty remote area in South Africa with the closest real civilization 40 minutes away by car. I love the bush, I love to travel and I love to surround myself with beautiful and unique things and I am always busy scribbling down ideas! I think my biggest challenge out here is to get my supplies but the moment I go out into the real world (the city) it’s just crazy exciting!

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
Having my own business has always been something in the back of my mind and last Christmas my husband surprised me by registering a company for me, Blue Brooch & Peony Rose. As I do not have all the knowledge to take the big leap yet and leave my day job I decided to open a shop on Etsy: Bluebrooch. I love making the little treasures and want to share it with others and hopefully sell a few! I am also looking at expanding my shop in 2010…

*Do you have a blog?
No, not that tech savvy just yet and unfortunately there is not enough hours in the day after work and some play to get stuck behind the computer again. I try to join Etsy’s forums whenever I can but due to the time difference between Africa and the USA the majority of the Etsy community is fast asleep when I chat!

*When did you start making jewelry?
I have never really liked wearing something that hundreds of others have or that was mass produced (be it clothes, jewelry etc.) and have always adored vintage, antique or unique pieces. I have made jewels for myself since my teens and always something that I knew would be “one of a kind”; I still do!! However, the first piece I made to give away was for my sister’s 30th Birthday this August. I wanted to give her something truly special!

*Where do you craft? what does it look like?
I usually work at a large wooden table in our lounge or outside on the patio overlooking our garden so I can keep an eye on any antelope or game that might come past. My “craft area” is pretty mobile and I move around quite a bit especially when taking photographs or if something just does not want to work. I also like to sit and work close to where my husband and our spaniel are lounging.

*What would you love to add to your crafting space?
I would love to have a dedicated “craft room” with huge French doors leading outside and a huge wall panel to scribble down all my ideas! A large distressed vintage table and some Moroccan ottomans would really add the cherry on top!

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Ribbons!!! Grosgrain (pretty hard to find in South Africa); satin, silk, velvet you name it. I love ribbons around prezzies, around my wrists, draped around our Christmas tree and dangling in front of windows. And I really like using them in my pieces.

*Where do you get your ideas from?
I am inspired by things that make the child in all of us come out to play. That could mean an African bangle one day, a dainty flower necklace the next. These are my charmed treasures, all things whimsical and fun, made of dust and dreams!