Feature - Kottage Kreations

Do you love jewelry? Then this is the shop for you! Kottage Kreations has so many beautiful earrings and necklaces it was actually quite hard to pick my favorite in her shop. But I finally decided that the A Mother Awaits Handcrafted Birds Nest Pendant is my favorite! How does she wrap all that wire? Really amazing! Please read the feature and check out the lovely pieces in her shop!

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I moved to Turlock in 1999, purchasing my first home. After my son finished school, I opened up my first online shop to sell my jewelry. I wanted to share with other women alike my creations, thus, Kottage Kreations was born.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?

I live in a cottage and that is my inspiration behind the name of my business. I enjoy creating jewelry, wood crafts, and crochet. My passion is jewelry though. Nature inspires me, whether it be gemstones from our precious earth, birds in the air and trees, or anything else you can imagine nature brings us.

*What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product?

Nature,
Earth, 
Beauty,
Love,
Womanhood

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?

Beads of course! I only use semi-precious gemstones, and gemstones. I also use sterling silver, and swaravski crystal beads. I only use the best, and sales from Etsy are my passion when it comes to shopping for goodies and gemmies. I use all colors of the rainbow, and every color and combination are my favorites. I have no particular style. It is what ever comes to my mind. I often wake up in the middle of the night with my inspirations exploding in my head. I always keep a notebook within reach to jot down my newest idea for my creations.

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

When I'm away from my workshop, I enjoy online communication with my friends and family, my artisan community; sharing ideas and networking, as well as sharing posts with my twitter followers, and facebook followers. I give myself some bragging rights as well. This is how I generate new customers as well as return customers.

When I'm not networking, I enjoy gardening, shopping; what woman doesn't love to shop, and I listen to music while cleaning beautiful messes. I also travel a bit locally in California. There is so much to do here.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?

My favorite creation has to be what I call "A Gardens Paradise": www.etsy.com/listing/63562301/ This amazingly beautiful necklace has a new twist for me, which is wire-wrapping. I am a self taught artist, so this was quite the challenge. Now that this is perfected, I am hooked on this technique. It is time consuming, but I enjoy the challenge!

*What keeps you motivated?

My motivation comes from my customers, my online social networks, and the compliments I get with every heart I get for each piece I share in my shop. Nature motivates me as well. There is so much beauty mother nature shares with us, I can't help but be inspired by Her!

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?

You can find me on Etsy at kottagekreations.etsy.com
Blog: kottagecreations.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/kottagekreation
Facebook: facebook.com/kottagekreations
Flickr: flickr.com/kottagekreations
and... kottagekreations.jimdo.com