{Featured Artist :: Uniquely E Jewelry}

Here at Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful fabrics, beautiful colors, beautiful stories about finding joy and inner creativity.

Today marks week #21 of my series on Featured Artists, which is a bi-monthly event showcasing fun and sassy handmade shops! I love searching for new wares to show the Gussy community. You can read all back Featured Artist posts by clicking here.

Please join me in welcoming Erika at Uniquely E Jewelry.

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What inspires you?

There are so many things that I cannot even begin to list them out in a short answer. To sum it up I’ll say that everything from hardware to gemstones… I love it all.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?

I live in beautiful San Diego, CA and will never willingly live anywhere else! I was born here and have lived in Denver, CO twice — both times I came running back to this place I proudly call home!

Name something unique to where you live.

We are home to the one and only world famous San Diego Zoo!

How did you come up with your shop name?

My name is Erika and I wanted to incorporate that into a business name somehow… My designs are my own blood, sweat, and tears and I like to think of them as uniquely mine — hence the name Uniquely E!

Share a little bit about yourself.

I’m a Christian, wife, mother, student, jewelry designer with a million things running through my head at any given time. I adore my husband, cherish my son, love my dog, and lock my keys in the car more times then anyone I know.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?

Spirited

What made you decide to open up shop?

I love creating jewelry and started making ludicrous amounts of it. I realized that in order to fund my hobby I needed to sell some pieces… my friends and family reacted so positively that I decided to try and make a go of selling online… So far so good!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

I genuinely love the opportunity my shop gives me to be a stay-at-home mom. Above and beyond that anything is an added bonus but I’d have to say that I love the connection I get to make with each customer. People who buy handmade are searching for that “something special” that can only be found through handmade products. I enjoy all of the tiny details of packaging up my items; from the item itself, to the pillow boxes I spent hours designing and making, down to the tiny handmade thank you notes I write to each customer. I love knowing someone will open their package in the mail and smile.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?

I am a stay-at-home mom of a 3-year-old little boy, full-time student pursuing my BA in Psychology, and wife attempting to transition my jewelry designs from “way too much to be called a hobby” into a “genuine business”. If only I could figure out how to grow a few extra sets of hands…

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.

My day begins the night before when I try and psych myself up to get up earlier the next day. I set an alarm for a totally unrealistic time and give myself a little pep talk that it will be good for me to get an early start….

Zzzzzzzzzzz,

Then reality hits and the night has already passed too quickly. I usually enjoy my coffee with a toddler in my lap and my computer being smeared with whatever is for breakfast (shhhh, don’t tell my computer technician husband).

I try and get some admin work done while my little guy has some playtime. My Etsy shop usually gets some renewing, listing, convo answering attention and I stalk all of my favorite twitter tweeps for a little while.

Then it’s errands, housework, and other mommy/wifely duties for a few hours.

Naptime is my time and I thank God everyday for the blessing of a good napper! My son typically sleeps for 2 ½-3 hours in the afternoon so I try and cram as much as I can into that window of time. Usually this is the time I get some photography in as the light is good, then it’s on to creating and designing, and more twitter stalking and distractions.

Hubby gets home and then it is dinner and family time, bath and bedtime for the little guy and some one-on-one time with my incredible husband. Typically I have schoolwork and other Etsy related things to work on in the evening. I tend to create things in waves. I go a few days without making anything and then two days in a row I’m like a lunatic who can’t be pulled away from my desk. Usually massive amounts of coffee and Ben and Jerry’s peanut butter cup ice cream are consumed on those days…

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.

I cannot honestly say that there is one shop that is my favorite. I’ve made some really amazing connections through the Labrats Team on Etsy (woot woot) and have to say that there are some incredibly talented sellers out there. I love way, way, way too many to list… or even hope to choose just one.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

I truly just adore spending time with my husband and son. We spend so much time just being together, whether it’s a planned outing or designated “relaxation” days, it’s always a blessing to witness God’s work in our little family. We’re incredibly laid back and value spontaneity. Often times we are content with just “being” at home together. We can each be doing our own thing but there is comfort in the companionship under the same roof.

Read any good books lately?

I can’t remember if I know how to read… what does free time to read a book feel like?

What is your most prized possession?

I’m going to go with my hard drive… All of our family photos and memories are saved on that bad boy… If the house is burning, hubby grabs the little guy and I grab the dog and the hard drive.

What are three of your favorite foods?

Peanut butter, blueberry bagels with cream cheese, and deli-sliced ham (I know, totally appetizing all stated together aren’t they?)

What would you like to learn to do?

Precious metal clay. I love to work with polymer clay, so PMC seems like a great next step… who wants to buy me a kiln???

What are you listening to right now?

Absolute blissful silence… It only happens at this time of night (midnight).

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.

Europe, hands down. Because there is nothing more romantic to me then the idea of kissing my husband in front of the Eiffel Tower after traipsing across historic places in Italy, Spain, and France. I know that is painfully cliché and totally unoriginal — but I’ve always wanted to see all it, so there!

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The Giveaway Goods:

Erika is giving away this necklace:

To enter:

Leave a comment sharing where you’d wear it!

For extra entries {leave a comment for each}:

• Tweet about this: Enter to win some sassy jewelry from @uniquelyejwlry via @GussySews http://u.nu/2aiu8
• Blog about it

EXTRA INFO:

• The giveaway will close Sunday, May 2 at 10 pm CST, and the winner will be announced the following day
• An email address must be listed on your blog profile or in the comment you leave

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Please check back Friday, May 14 for another Featured Artist post!

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Additional links for Uniquely E Jewerly:
Shop
Blog
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