In The Studio

The EtsyBloggers Carnival Theme for the end of September is "Show Your Face" and if you don't want to show your face, "Show Your Studio."

How lucky am I to currently be the featured artist "In the Studio" at Cafe Handmade?

I'll repost the entire interview here, but please be sure to stop by Cafe Handmade and browse their wonderful site. They've done any absolutely amazing job creating a community for handmade.


ORIGINALLY POSTED AT CAFE HANDMADE 9/23/09::

Hi there! My name is Sandy Simpson and I’m Punky Jane, the nickname my mom gave me when I was little. It was always reserved just for her until I started this little business last year. After working as a graphic designer for way too many years to mention, I needed a change. Having two beautiful girls, now 7 and 4, I really wanted to be home for them, and be there for all those little moments that really matter. I tried freelance graphic design from home, but was unable to concentrate with all the chitter chatter and pitter patter going on around the house. A friend of mine had a necklace with the names of her boys stamped on it. I knew I had to have one. As I searched for my perfect necklace, I realized that I might be able to make one myself. I thought, “I love typography. I love silver jewelry. I need a way to keep my creativity sparkling that doesn’t tie me to the computer.” I did some research, ordered supplies, and got going. I made a few pieces and discovered I really enjoyed it. My wonderfully supportive husband thought it was a good idea to actually start a business and go for it.

So here I am. Working at my kitchen table in the beginning was fine, but getting all the tools and supplies out and then having to clean them all up when I was done, was not. As I dropped my daughter off at preschool one morning, the perfect answer stood before me: an old green metal desk from the 1950s with a hand printed sign saying “Free to a Good Home.” Great storage, solid, vintage, perfect. I put it in our garage in the one corner that actually had some space left, added a folding chair, and organized my tools and supplies. This would become my studio space. While I have to wear fingerless gloves in the coldest part of winter, and I can’t be out there after 2pm in the heat of the Summer, my ‘open-air’ studio, I mean garage, has it’s benefits. When the garage door is open, I feel like I’m working outside…good for the soul!

I started out with just a few sizes of sterling silver discs and one or two typefaces, but now I am really enjoying learning new techniques and trying new things. I’m working with precious metal clay and just began etching. Both of these processes will allow me to do more personalized work and create unique designs. I love that I am still able to use my graphic design skills, whether designing my website or working with the letter spacing while stamping (I’m still looking for the undo button with my hammer, though). And I really have fun coming up with designs made from letters. I currently offer pet tags with hand stamped cat and dog faces, as well as a little bird design for Twitter fans, all created using individual letter stamps.

I have found that I have better success if I stamp while I’m alone and play music in the background. Fewer typos that way! The first few months, I listened to instrumental harp music to keep me calm, and it didn’t allow me to sing along. Last week I realized that I am now stamping (and singing!) to something like Martina McBride (the album with ‘In My Daughter’s Eyes’) the soundtrack from a show I saw in Nashville, “Always, Patsy Cline,” Norah Jones, or Gypsy Soul. I’ve also been able to learn so many new things, not only the actual design and production of my jewelry, but also the technology side. I’ve always worked on computers, but this has taken me to a new level. It’s a little ironic that I now spend so much time in front of the computer maintaining blogs, websites, etsy listings, twitter, facebook, you name it, when I just a few months ago was trying to get away from that.

I’m lucky. This business lets me combine so many of the things I really do enjoy, with the added benefit of creating pieces for my customers that make them feel good. I love working with people to create THEIR vision. Some of the best designs have come from someone simply asking, “Could you make a…” and then me trying something new.

I live in a relatively small town where word-of-mouth travels very quickly. My girls’ teachers have been some of my best advertising! While I do have some pieces in a local shop here in town, my best experiences come from the one-on-one discussions with my customers, whether in person, on the phone, via email or etsy convo, to find the perfect solution for them. I feel so good when someone gets back to me after they’ve given one of my necklaces as a gift so I can hear the reaction.

Being part of the Etsy Twitter Team is amazing. Team promotions, support, ideas from fellow team members, and learning to promote in 140 characters or less…priceless. I’ve gained SO much from this team I can’t believe it. Tweet a request or question and someone from the team responds in seconds! I’ve also become a member of the EtsyBloggers Team and the new Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST). I am having a blast meeting fellow Etsians and seeing their craft, not to mention working together to promote handmade.

I really hope to continue to grow my business and find those little things that set me apart…various typefaces, new techniques, new materials, and I hope to have fun while I do it! Best of all, I get to be home when my girls get home from school and even go on a special field trip now and then.