Featured Boutique: jaC Jewelry

Please welcome to MomDot Janna, the owner of jaC Jewelry.  Janna makes beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry that would make the perfect gift or addition to your own jewelry wardrobe.

1. Tell us about your boutique and how you got started selling online.

I make fun, customized and one-of-a-kind jewelry using gems and semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, and gold-plated and brass findings. I also create custom bridal jewelry! You can find my designs at jacjewelry.etsy.com.

After designing and making wedding favors, place cards and thank you cards for my own wedding, I thought it would be a great idea to offer customized bridal accessories to match a wedding theme. With encouragement and sage advice from my wonderful husband, I created a website and started selling both “regular” jewelry and my wedding creations! Last March, I opened my Etsy shop (jacjewelry.etsy.com), which has become one of the main venues for selling my work.

One of my objectives is to create versatile designs that people are able to wear with multiple outfits, styles and occasions. Specifically with bridal designs, my goal is to create versatile pieces that the bridal party will be able to wear long after the wedding, and this aspect appeals to the brides, as well as bridesmaids.

2. How do you advertise your business and what advertising methods have you found to be effective?

I advertise my business by placing ads on various blogs, offering samples of my work and participating in giveaways. The most effective advertising methods so far have been features and giveaways on high-traffic blogs.

3. We understand that in addition to maintaining you successful boutique you are also a grad student. What is your biggest challenge as a business owner?

My biggest challenge is balancing the time I spend on jewelry and school, especially during exams and busy times when multiple assignments are due. On the other hand, making jewelry is a creative outlet for me, and it is a wonderful stress reliever. When I feel overwhelmed, I make a few pieces of jewelry to relax!

4. What advice would you give our readers in juggling multiple responsibilities such as work, school, and home?

If you have a tendency to dedicate too much time to one responsibility while overlooking or setting aside the rest, you may find it helpful to make a schedule and set a daily time limit for that particular responsibility. I also find it useful to set realistic goals for myself, while keeping in mind the time constraints, and work to meet those goals one at a time.

5. How long have you been designing jewelry?

I have been designing jewelry for two years. In 2006, while on vacation visiting family, I went to a bead store with my aunt, and walked out of there with a big bag of beads… I came home and made my first piece from those beads immediately. I made a few more pieces after that, but did not get absolutely addicted to jewelry-making until two years ago. I don’t plan on stopping any time soon!

6. Where does your inspiration come from to design your jewelry pieces?

Nature is my biggest inspiration, although typically I buy beads and components that appeal to me, without any idea or design in mind. Combining several colors is as far as I will go when coming up with ideas for designs. Then, I put them together and discover that the most unexpected combinations look the best together!

7. What other jewelry designers do you admire?

Of course, I love everything handmade, especially jewelry. There are so many talented artists on Etsy.com – every day I find more and more designers whose work I love! My two absolute favorites are Stacy of Dreamin’ of Beadin’ and Alison of Alison Kelley Designs.

8. Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers about your business?

A big thank you to Christy and MomDot for this wonderful opportunity to be featured, and a thank you to the readers for checking out my Etsy shop! I look forward to making a jaC creation for you!

For giveaway opportunities, please visit my personal website at http://www.jacscreations.com/Giveaways.html.

If you order from jaC Jewelry, please tell Janna you heard about her shop on MomDot.  Receive free shipping on any order shipped in the U.S. if you tell Janna you read this interview.

-Interview by Christy aka The Write Gal