July 21, 2010

Interview with a Wonderful Jewelry Designer!

Today I'm interviewing the lovely and talented Jenn of JennReese7.etsy.com, who was the grand prize winner of the EPE Mix & Match Game on my blog...


Hi Jenn! Please tell us about yourself.

I'm a 32 year old stay at home mom to Chase and due to have our second child in January. I have a wonderful husband, John, who couldn't possibly be any funnier. He makes me laugh over and over every day and my most favorite thing about him is that he completely lights up every time he sees our son. I have a degree in graphic design that currently is collecting dust but I am having the time of my life being a mom.


What do you do in addition to making beautiful jewelry?

Well, I nap, and I do laundry occasionally. I don't cook or grocery shop. I do iron a fair amount and I get in as much time as I possibly can to kiss, hug and play with my son.



How did you get started making jewelry?

My sister Laura (creativelytangled.etsy.com) has made jewelry for some time and it sparked my interest but it wasn't until a co-worker of mine introduced me to etsy. I loved the site so much that i told myself "You have to pick up a hobby so you can sell on Etsy!"

Please tell us about your creative process. Where you find your ideas, how you plan your designs, etc.

Well, my creative process starts with me sitting and staring at my scattered beads until an idea pops into my head, I get started immediately. But then, my attention deficit kicks into high gear and before you know it, it is the end of the day, beads have collected into 3 different rooms of my house and I have 5 jewelry pieces started and none of them completed. Then I start all over again the next day.



What do you enjoy most about this process?

Getting my supplies in the mail and completing a piece that I am happy with.

Where can we find your jewelry for sale?

jennreese7.etsy.com is the only place to find it or you can come to my house. My house is for sale too, so if you come over to buy jewelry, you can buy my house as well.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?

Guessing Game Necklace



What is your favorite possession, and why do you cherish it?

My mom's Bible. My mom passed away 6 yrs ago from ovarian cancer and I probably miss her more now than ever since I am now a mother and have another baby on the way. I would have loved to have known how her pregnancies treated her since she gave birth to four daughters and how I was as a baby, and if, by the time she got to delivering me as the fourth child, if I just fell out or if she had to push a little. Anyway, back to the Bible, she used to read her Bible every day and there are her little notations and underlines on almost every page. It is just nice to have something she spent time with every day and that meant a lot to her and it is also very comforting to see her handwriting.

What do you collect, and how did your collection begin?

I collect husbands.... my collection began in the winter of '04 and expanded in the spring of '08... umm, er.....


Please tell us your favorite books, music, movies, TV shows, and anything else you enjoy.

My favorite book would have to be Purpose Driven Life, I reread it every year or so and my favorite TV show is the Bachelorette.

What are your favorite websites and/or blogs?

Etsy, Etsy, Facebook, Etsy,
http://RoughMagicCreations.blogspot.com,
http://staytuned09.blogspot.com,
http://etsyprojectembrace.blogspot.com,
http://www.thenoisyplume.blogspot.com and then more Facebook and Etsy

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose … and why?

I would like my family to live somewhere where there is no gas drilling, no oil spills, a low cancer rate, where it is warm, but not humid and also has a bead store and antique shops at every corner. If you know of this place, please let me know, thank you!

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

To have a happy, healthy and successful family.

What advice would you give to other jewelry designers, especially those who hope to sell online?

My advice would be to make sure your shop link and shop name match, which mine do not and it bothers me on a daily basis.

Also, buyers are visual and since they can't actually pick up your listing in their hand, your photo better come as close to it as you can get. This is something I also struggle with, not knowing anything about cameras or photography, so I imagine this will be an ongoing process for me.

Jenn, thank you so very much for allowing me to interview you here!


And here are selections from Jenn's gorgeous Etsy shop:


10 comments:

  1. A wonderful interview, a fantastic shop and a beautiful lady!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved reading about Jenn, and she has a great wit! This interview shows that--I was laughing--what a joy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great interview Mollie- I love Jenn and her amazing work- so happy to hear she is expecting another little one!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh, i got choked up when you talked about mom's bible........ i keep a piece of paper in my wallet that she wrote a note on - she had beautiful handwriting. I didn't know you had her bible....you always were her favorite.

    Thank God you stopped that collection right in its tracks now!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My first try at a comment didn't "take" so i get to say all over again how delightful it is to see Jenn here; wonderful interview, Mollie; Jenn, if you turn up here to see these: you know I how much I appreciate you, your humor, your family (I missed the earlier collection), your jewelry. Love from "Guin"!

    ReplyDelete
  6. mollie~ this is a wonderful interview! it's so nice to know a bit more about jenn, see her sense of humor and admire even more of her beautiful jewelry! her photos are fabulous as well~ i can't believe she has no experience with photography! thanks for sharing~
    xo karon

    ps...i didn't know you could collect husbands...:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my gosh... Jenn's sense of humor is much like her sister's. What fun this interview was, such a treat to read it over my morning coffee. I love the answer to the favorite possession question... tenderness, love, sentiment, and humor all mixed together... just the way life should be! Thanks Mollie and Jenn!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fantastic shop and interview Mollie! Glad you shared this one-what a sense of humor she has! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. haha - what a great interview!! she's hilarious & fabulously talented ;)
    thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Absolutely LOVE you and hubster Joe to bits Mollie, and of course your wonderful designs :)
    Your blog is fabulous and your humor and fun shine through.
    Your support and encouragement for fellow artists is just amazing.
    Jenn is a true joy to read about...please keep doing these !
    Love across the pond from your very good Spanglish friend,
    Vicki xoxox

    ReplyDelete