I am an independent jewelry artist. My love of creating jewelry began in 1992 when I was a freshman in college. It all started with a small pair of earrings. Before I tell you the story of how I got started with making jewelry, I want to tell you alittle more about me and my business ~ PinkIce Jewels.
Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).
My name is Serena Trent. I reside in a small suburban community in Michigan. I absolutely love crafts and creating things; from jewelry to poetry. I even design clothing!
What is your etsy shop address and name?
My etsy shop is www.pinkicejewels.etsy.com ~ PinkIce Jewels
Do you have a blog (and what is its address)?
Well, I have several spots on the net (all listed at the bottom). But there are two blogs and a Yahoo group that I use for business other than myspace. istyle-slyvoan.blogspot.com, http://360.yahoo.com/pinkicejewelz, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pinkicejewels/
What is your favorite color combination?
I have so many but currently I love yellow and red together.
What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
Aside for the craft things you make in school, my most re-memorable was my first outfit that I made at the age of 11. It was a cotton shorts jumper, pastel yellow with green, pink, blue and purple pastel flowers. I remember my Big Mama showing me how to make button holes by hand. Why I made it? Because my mother made me. She enrolled me in a class for sewing taught by my Godmother. I did not want to learn how to sew but I had no choice in the matter. My mother finds it very funny now because she nor anyone else can get me to stop making clothes nor anything else!
What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?
I know this is going to sound a little corny but the WORLD inspires me, meaning there is no one given thing that inspires me. I could walking and a leaf imprinted on the sidewalk will give me an idea or while watching TV color combos will start forming in my hand. In all honestly God supplies me with everything I do, I am what he mind me!
Does the atmosphere affect your creativity?
Well, no not really because I get into a zone when I'm in the creative mood. I began thinking about my business. What I'm making is just keeping my hands busy...
Where do you create, in a workroom/ studio or in a park?
All of the above but mostly in my studio/ workroom ~ living room! Depends on my mood and if the game is on ...
What are your favorite materials?
Swarovski crystals, wire and gemstones
What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity?Creative and finish my projects
Why should people buy handmade?
Handmade items represent the true essence of that person. More than likely more effort and time is put into the finish product and you get all of that for a one of a kind item (OOAK). Handmade products are of higher quality, most artist are perfectionist and check themselves when it comes to quality control, not a huge conglomerate making them.
Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade stuff?
Be persist in promoting yourself.....tell...tell...tell everyone about you and your products. Use the outside world to drive traffic to your Internet world. If you have to giveaway something once a week or a month, get your product in people's hands.
Apart from creating things, what do you do? I have two other networking businesses that I own and operate as an independent associate, Aflac and Pre-Paid Legal Services, for more information email me; [email protected].
What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
Stay on my toes and keep my game up! Take better pictures, write more detail descriptions of the items, offer sales more frequently and post...post...post in the forums!
Read any good books lately?
YES, absolutely! The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, Ph.D. and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Any other links or information you want to share? Yes...plenty! aflac.com, prepaidlegal.com/serenaltrent, http://360.yahoo.com/lyvoan_michaels (the blog that's about ME!)
Do you have any current projects that you want to describe, techniques to share, give picture of?
In the mist of developing a huge marketing plan and other current projects are constructing garments to wear in Vegas when attending the National Conference for Pre-Paid Legal Services.
In ten years I'd like to be ...
a mini version of Donald Trump, owning multiple businesses in diverse industries, as well as, have a book or two published.
And now the beginning...
One day, upon returning to the dorms from class, a friend and I stopped at this small cozy store on campus. We wanted to check the store out and see what is was all about and to our surprise it was a bead store, equipped with all the tools needed to create jewelry. Later that day I made my first pair of earrings and I̢۪ve been addicted ever since. I began making earrings, which are the most enjoyable for me to create. I continued to make jewelry for family, friends and myself. As a result, Pinkice Jewels was born nine years later after receiving repeated requests to create beautiful jewelry for bridal parties and proms. This is my fifth year, selling jewelry from my home, through home parties, as well as, craft shows and now to Etsy, www.pinkicejewels.etsy.com.
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