It's Time to Win a Beautiful Prize

Monday, February 1, 2010

Each week I will be featuring a different Etsy artist and their wonderful products. This week's spotlight is on Neelrad. Darleen owns this wonderful Etsy shop. She makes hand crafted original semi-precious jewelry. Darleen is a mother of two boys. Her oldest is autistic. She donates 10% of her yearly profits to his school -Summit Educational Resources.

In addition to being the featured Etsy seller this week, Darleen is giving away this beautiful heart pendant in honor of Valentine's day!  Just make a comment below about this interview and a winner will be selected on Friday. Good Luck to everyone!


Now for Darleen's interview:

How did you come up with your shop name? I like using crystals and faceted quartz in my pieces. So I was trying to think of a name that would be catchy and describe how these accents look in the jewelry.

How did you get started selling online? During the warm weather here in New York I do outdoor arts and craft shows. When the cool weather came I started looking for another venue to sell my wares. I also teach how to sell on Ebay in adult education. Then one day I was thinking “Hey, why don’t I combine these?” However, handcrafted wares get lost on ebay amongst all the commercial items so I needed another venue. I think I saw an ad for Etsy about then and decided to research them. The rest is history. I started listing items and really only sold 5 things out of my 11 sales. Everything else is through alchemy. I love doing custom orders. It gives me a challenge.

What motivates or inspires you to create? Nature! When I go for a walk sometimes I’ll see a bead of dew in the morning and then try to use pearls to for a nice piece. Sometimes I see new stones and feel the urge to come up with a piece to use them in. Also, I love custom requests because they present a challenge.

What do you want customers to know about your products? All my pieces are one of a kind. I never repeat the same necklace. Even if it’s a similar pattern the stones will be different. I’m always willing to make adjustments to satisfy a customer. For example, if the necklace is too short I’ll happily add an extension chain so customer can make the piece more versatile.

What other hobbies or passions do you have? I love photography. My over 12 years of shooting, selling and framing photography have given me an eye for colors that occur naturally and accent each other.

Do you have a blog? Twitter? Facebook? Website? I’m on Facebook (Darleen Stry) but my jewelry images are under (dazzlewear@verizon.net)

Anything else you want us to know about yourself? My beading is my respite. I saw a slogan one time and truly believe it “beading is cheaper than therapy”. Jewelry making is a great hobby because you can start and stop a project almost on a dime which is what you need to do when you have kids. You can do it late at night. Plus there’s no wrong way to do it.

Remember - Make a comment below to win! Good Luck!
Got It From My Mama said...

Thanks so much for sharing such an inspiring interview. The designer is so talented she obviously puts her heart and soul into desiging her stunning pieces.
By the way I am following your blog.

Unknown said...

I just loved the interview and the designer did a great job.

Blooming Crafts (Judit) said...

Cool I loved all the jewelry on her Etsy page. and the designs are great

Lori Allberry said...

That was a wonderful interview! You have such a talent with your beading Darleen - everything is beautiful!

♥Lori

Anonymous said...

Love this interview and the Etsy shop! The jewelry is really pretty. LOVE the heart necklace. Darleen seems really nice.

http://www.susanwilliamsdesigns.etsy.com

Pattie said...

I know what you mean about handmade things getting lost on ebay!

When I try to look for stuff there my intrest goes for 50 to 0 in less than a second

But I love your work :) and thank you for sharing with us!

lovedriven said...

Ive never tried making jewelry except for a few macaroni necklaces for my mom when i was little! Maybe ill give it another shot! Thanks for the inspiration!

Lafe's Hidden Treasures said...

really lovely shop!

playswithclay said...

Beading is cheaper than therapy-- I agree-- literally!!! Following my stroke I regained more of my fine motor control through beading than I did paying the $25 copay 3X a week to the physical and occupational therapists.

Great interview-I am always interested in what motivates other artists.

Ilea said...

I'm really not sure if my beading habit is cheaper than therapy :P

Beautiful work!

Nikkie said...

Love your work. The turquoise necklace is beautiful!

Ritzee Rebel said...

Gorgeous necklaces, especially the gorgeous heart!


Take a look at my blog, there's something for you there on my newest post! :)

Carapace said...

Woohoo, someone else grooves on the turquoise and brown! Just one of the best color combos, really.
And wow, I can't imagine trying to sell handmade on Ebay. Glad you found something better!

carapacenator(at)gmail.com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I love the Aqua Blooming Flower Glass Pendant at Neelrad, and also the lovely giveaway necklace! Very chic and would go with everything!

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