March 25, 2009

Sweeeeeeeet Freeeedom!!!!!

Today I'm featuring Sweet Freedom from Etsy! Sweet Freedom creates amazing jewelry- bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and earrings. She loves making jewelry and fusing glass.
Creative: "How did you get started in crafting?"
SF: I have been crafting since I was 5, when a serious illness kept me in the hospital for over 3 months, and my father, of all people, taught me how to do crewel embroidery, to pass the time- When I was 10, my grandmother taught me to crochet, and I made a lot (seriously, a LOT) of vests and afghans. I still like to crochet afghans.When I was in my mid-20s, I discovered cross-stitch- and was hooked by that.

I just have always enjoyed making beautiful things all by myself! And people seemed to really enjoy receiving handmade gifts.

Creative: What are some of the things that inspire you?

SF: Colors and nature, primarily.

Creative: What do you think would be the perfect project?

SF: The one that sells immediately! I love making complicated beadwoven designs for myself, but I also need to pay the bills!

Pink Moonstone Bracelet

Creative: How long have you been selling on Etsy, and how long have you done what you do?

SF: I started selling on Etsy in November '07. I have only been designing and making jewelry since 1/07, but I really threw myself into it. I have always been what I laughingly call a jewelry slut - I never met a piece I didn't love! And when I discovered I could actually make jewelry myself, there was no stopping me. I have taken hundreds of hours of classes, in many different jewelry media - beading, glass fusing, lampworking, chainmaille, bead-weaving, metal clay, and more. Some I am crazy about, some I'm so-so about, and I am fairly sure I will never make another lampwork bead in my life. Just not my thing!

Creative: Selling your work on Etsy, or online in general, can mean a lot of competition. Are you intiminated by this? Why or why not?
SF: Life is too short to be intimidated. In 5/07, I left a highly competitive career, which required intense competition and stress 24/7, and I never looked back. I want to be a relaxed, type B sort from now on.
I recently purchased a bead shop, and I sell a lot of my work there, and teach classes almost non-stop. I don't have as much time just to create for me anymore, but don't stress when I go 6 weeks without an online sale!
Thanks so much for the interview!
You can visit Sweet Freedom on Etsy at http://sweetfreedom.etsy.com, her blog at http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com, and her dog's blog at http://bailey-the-goldenretriever.blogspot.com!
Until tomorrow~
~ The Creative Crafters

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the support, Creative - lovely write-up!
    I appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just won the "Lovely Blog" award and I want to pass it on to you! Come check it out: http://southern05belle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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