My next Mothers Day Giveaway is for this beautiful Bracelet made by Carol with Carol’s Jewelry Orchard!
Where are you from? And a little bit about you
My name is Carol. I am originally from Upstate New York. However, I have lived in the Midwest for over ten years now! I live with my husband and three boys, two cats, and a hamster in the country looking into a valley behind our house. We have some awesome sunrise’s right in our own backyard!
How did you decide on your shop name?
My shop name was inspired while I was in my garden, weeding, near a home fruit orchard that we have! I had been thinking hard about a unique name, stood up, looked at the apple trees and said, “how about Carol’s Jewelry Orchard“? Just like fruit, you can pick from my orchard (of jewelry) and I ship it! I know it’s kind of corny but I like that it is the merging of two passions of mine….jewelry making and gardening!
How did you learn to make Jewelry?
I started making jewelry 7 years ago! I am completely self-taught!
It is fun to see how my skill and taste has evolved over that time! I am in the process of learning some new techniques that will add more diversity to the selection in my shop.
Do you have anything new you plan on adding to your store?
Yes! I am always planning on something new. I truly encourage people to stop back to my shop because I am always adding something new! I have a couple of new lines that will be added; resin pendant necklaces that are made with my own photography and paua shell pendant necklaces. I am also working on some more rustic or casual pieces like sports jewelry and polymer clay pendant jewelry featuring animals. I also want to add more of my photography.
What is your favorite thing about being a seller?
My favorite thing about being on etsy is that I can control my own shop. I also like chatting with fellow artists and customers. It is a supportive community with some really nice, creative people! I love it when I get (or give) positive feedback from a sale or fellow artist!
Do you have a blog, twitter, or facebook page?
I have a blog at, http://carolsjewelryorchard.blogspot.com/
It is mostly about my jewelry making. I try and update it once a week on Sundays. It is still relatively new (January ’10) and I would love some more followers. I also tend to write a lot about life observations. It has been fun to make slide shows for the blog, but these don’t seem to get viewed…..at least I can’t tell they’ve been viewed!!!
What inspires you to make the items in your shop?
I am mostly inspired by nature. I love plants and landscapes and the colors found in those daily small things that many take for granted (a sunset, a rainbow, a butterfly). I love to do a monochromatic theme with tone variations on one color. I often have a “vision” of how a piece should come together.
I rarely look at the work of others or printed material for inspiration. Most of my ideas form all by themselves and just “flow”.
What items in your shop do you most enjoy making and why?
I mostly enjoy making necklaces because they can be as complicated or as simple as I want them to be. Since the pieces are somewhat longer than a bracelet, it gives me a chance to combine more color/materials/and textures. A close second is the hand twisted bracelets that I am now making as a new line. Each one is entirely handmade (no stringing), handpicked (I select artisan made lampwork or murano beads), and unique. These will be fun to do seasonally, too!
Anything else you would like us to know?
I was formally educated as a master’s prepared nurse and practiced in a variety of pediatric settings. I love children and founded a school-based garden club for elementary aged children where I teach them about plant life and butterfly life-cycles. I love to take photographs….you can view a few of my favorites for sale in my shop. And I someday hope to have a book published ! Thanks for your interest in me and my jewelry! I encourage you to stop by my shop often, as I am always adding new pieces! Good luck in the giveaway!
The bracelet is made with Peridot Green Swarovski Crystals and Sterling silver Cubes that spell MOM. The spacer beads are silver plate and the clasp is a magnetic clasp.
** From Carol: Disclaimer/warning; no one with a pacemaker or who is pregnant should wear magnets. Likewise, none of my jewelry is meant for small children. All of my pieces are for age 14 years and older. I will change out the magnetic clasp for the winner of the giveaway, if so desired. It will be replaced with a silver plated lobster clasp
Mandatory Entry….Go to CarolsJewelryOrchard and tell me another item you would love to own!
Contest will close on Sunday May 2nd at 11:59 p.m. MST and the winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified via e-mail. Giveaway is open U.S. only! No P.O Boxes Please!
Winner will have 48 hours to reply to my e-mail. If I do not hear back from the winner than another winner will be chosen!
I'd love to own the New Jewelry Line Paua Shell Pendant and Bali Sterling Heart with Garnet Swarovski Crystals!! Beautiful!
I follow you via Google Connect!
I love the Classic Multi-stranded Bracelet in Swarovski Crystals and Glass Pearls-On Golden Sands. That is so classic!
frgualsciencegal [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow you via google friend connect.
frugalsciencegal [at] gmail [dot] com
I like the Sky Blue Czech glass Multi-stranded Beaded Necklace with Magnetic Clasp.
I like the dolpins and turtles in the coral ocean themed pewter bookmark.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I like the Black Onyx, Swarovski Crystals, and Amazonite Nugget Bracelet.
shar(dot)donoho(at)comcast(dot)net
I love her bookmarks!
Retweeted!
Oh, I love the Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals and Thai Sterling Silver
Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
button in my side bar
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
i would love the Art Glass Retro Style Bracelet in Black, Pink, and White Lampwork and Fiber Optic Beads!
jessandshelly@gmail.com
Love the Spring Peepers Green Enameled Frog Pendant Necklace with Pewter Clasp. jfsarma at gmail dot com
New Jewelry Line Paua Shell Pendant and Bali Sterling Heart with Garnet Swarovski Crystals
Laura_in_TX
123yes456@gmail.com
I love the Copper Man in the Moon Earrings with Crystal Copper Swarovski Accents. Beautiful.
clenna at aol dot com
I heart Carols Jewelry Orchard etsy shop
clenna at aol dot com
I like this necklace!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/36340320/lovely-lilac-necklace-made-from
kimhigueria at gmail dot com
I love "Pewter Flower Pendant on Leather Cord Necklace Signs of Spring"!
samyrocks92 at msn dot com
I hearted CarolsJewelryOrchard etsy shop!
I like the Platinum Gray Freshwater Pearl Multi-strand Necklace with Large Mother of Pearl Flower Clasp
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I like Tibetan Silver Snowflake Earrings.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I Heart CarolsJewelryOrchard etsy shop – Janetfaye
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I am in love with the “Spring Peepers Green Enameled Frog Pendant Necklace with Pewter Clasp.” Green is my favorite color and I think frogs are absolutely adorable!
i love the red jasper multi stranded bracelet
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
I like the Pewter Flower Pendant on Leather Cord Necklace Signs of Spring
.
The Tibetan Silver Snowflake Earrings are just stunning!
writeme at heidimail dot com
The Black Onyx, Swarovski Crystals, and Amazonite Nugget Bracelet is cute.
amanda.townsend2 at gmail dot com
I like: Classic Multi-stranded Bracelet in Swarovski Crystals and Glass Pearls-On Golden Sands
I loooove the Classic Multi-stranded Bracelet in Swarovski Crystals and Glass Pearls-On Golden Sands!
kkondek at gmail.com
Tweet 4/25 http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/12834134872
kkondek at gmail.com
I would love to win Spring Flowers Green Drop Sterling Silver Earrings!
brianne121279 at yahoo dot com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/12924304323
Tweeted!!
http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/12943553408
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/12965862628
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Tweet 4/27 http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/12967594174
kkondek at gmail.com
LOVE Bali Sterling Heart with Garnet Swarovski Crystals!
daunfamily@yahoo.com
I like the Aquamarine Swarovski Crystal and Millefiori Glass Bead Earrings on Copper Earwires.
Thanks for the chance to win!
–Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/34277429/swarovski-crystal-and-czech-glass-beaded
this is so pretty!
ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/13021070924
I would love to own the Dolphins and Turtles in the Coral Ocean Themed Pewter Bookmark. It is so pretty and I love to read.
felecia@twinoaksfl.org
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/13083365419