I’m Adding Handmade Jewelry To My Etsy Shop

So most of you reading this probably had no idea that I have an Etsy shop; I’ve actually never mentioned it on the blog.

About three or four years ago I started an Etsy shop, Simply Rustic Looks, https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyRusticLooks because I was making too many projects and needed somewhere to go with them. I began selling on Etsy and never got terribly involved with it, but did end up selling quite a bit nevertheless. Some of the items ranged from rustic pallet signs, crocheted scarves and hats—to chalk-painted mason jars, including customized gifts as well. Nathan helped whenever I needed more pallets for the projects, but otherwise he’d rather steer clear of a paint brush of any type!!!

In the last few years I’ve become quite a minimalist and have thinned out a lot of the materials I used to make some of those original Etsy projects I was selling, though some are still listed on the shop’s page…and in 2018 I began little by little purchasing jewelry pieces—charms, bracelets, chains, stamp blanks, leather, etc…which take up a lot less space than the projects I made in the past.

Real leather earrings!!

I also bought a metal stamp set so I could try my hand at metal stamping. It’s a lot harder than it looks!!! Thankfully I’ve come a long way with it.

After researching different metals, I decided to go with combinations of stainless steel and aluminum. These are two metals which are hypoallergenic, making them less likely to cause a skin reaction. They also won’t tarnish, discolor, or rust and aren’t known to leave green markings on skin. Both of these metals polish up nicely with a soft polishing cloth or even a light buffing of steel wool over them.

The aluminum has been great for metal stamping as it’s a softer (more pliable) metal, and the stainless steel has been a great source for the necklace chains.

Lately I’ve been putting pieces together, setting product props and snapping photos—preparing to list them on Etsy.

I’m super excited to let you know when the shop will be filled with jewelry, for now you can check out the pallet signs and other odds and ends we have at Simply Rustic Looks:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyRusticLooks

Blessings,

Alicia…and Nathan too😉

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

16 thoughts on “I’m Adding Handmade Jewelry To My Etsy Shop”

      1. I hear ya. I’m crafty like you are. I considered a shop on Etsy, but the business side of things stresses me out. I don’t like that side of things. I have a creative mind, not a business mind. I don’t know how to promote myself, let alone promote what I have to offer.

        You’ve gotten much further than I have because you’ve at least gone for it! Pray about it. I need to take my own advice. Maybe I could get past some of my own hurdles if I did. 🙂

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      2. Tina I hear you!!! It’s soooo incredibly challenging!!! I (no joke) spent about five hours on Saturday taking more product photos for Etsy..it’s overwhelming…and sad. I wish I had someone to do that part and the listing part for me. Like I love making the jewelry but the rest gets me stressed out!!

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      3. 😦 Yeah, I bet.! Over the years people have said to me I should sell what I make, but I have always felt that I just couldn’t do it. First, a lot of work goes into each piece (I don’t do anything simple! Everything I’ve ever made has been quite detailed!) So that’s time consuming, and then I’m definitely not an entrepreneur.

        Plus, health stuff kind of put a monkey wrench into everything. But I’m realizing that God has us right where He wants us. I have no idea what he wants to do with me, but he’s working on me. It’s a weird place to be, but He’s definitely teaching me to trust and depend on Him.

        I haven’t crafted for quite a while. Looking at the stuff you make is very inspiring. Now it makes me wish we lived near each other. I’m sure that I’d be right there with you crafting away!

        I’m enjoying your friendship from a far, anyways. 🙂

        I have an Etsy account. I haven’t been on it in forever, but I should add your shop to my favorites.

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      4. Yes that’d be neat!! I can Imagine us, we could do craft shows and have a good ol time!!:):)
        You’re making me curious what kind of crafts you’ve made!? You’ll have to let me know.
        I always look forward to and enjoy reading your posts and comments! Praying for healing for you and Andrew. I just hate for you two to feel miserable. Those auto immune disorders are the pits …but maybe the fact that you have to slow down because of it is actually beneficial because it allows you time to reflect on God and write to glorify Him.

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      5. In regards to your crafting quiry: I’ve done a little of this and that over the years, but my favorite crafts were crocheting, working with fimo and felt, quilting, sewing, and the houses that I made from madarin orange boxes…lol.

        I know, that last one sounds ridiculous, but I love those houses! You’d have to see pictures of them to get why I love them. If I could make them out of wood that “wood” be amazing.

        Making things out of clay (when I wasn’t working on ceramics) was also fun too. I did make some luminary houses out of clay. I thought if I were to have an Etsy shop I might do something with clay.

        We tried to sell some of our ceramics (besides the urns) in a florist shop. (African violet pots, vases…) but we didn’t sell much, so we stuck with the urns because we had gauranteed customers for those.

        Thank you so much for the prayers. Since we shut down our business I’ve really been struggling. Some of that will come out in my writing soon.

        I really don’t know what God is going to do with us. I’m not freaked out by this, but I’ve definitely been struggling with our abnormal life. Andrew says this IS normal. I say, maybe for us… Yeah. God’s been speaking to me though. I’m adjusting my sails. If He wants me focused on Him then I will learn and grow.

        I know, it sounds as if I’m saying that a bit begrudgingly, but I’m not. I’m ready for “The Very Next Thing” (It’s a Casting Crowns song that I’m using as my motivation.) I’m rising to the challenge, even when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed.

        Mornings right now are definitely a challenge. My emotions are all over the place, but I’m noy going to back down to this challenge.

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      6. That’s awesome, great attitude and perspective!!

        I wish there was a way to put a picture with our comments at times lol…and your mandarin orange boxes definitely have my curiosity now haha…I love crocheting but I get confused, it’s challenging!! Then there’s my mom, she’s great at crocheting but With her epilepsy sometimes she’ll have a seizure and then forget how to crochet so then she has to reteach herself which she picks up pretty quick but then me I can’t even pick it up at all after trying repeatedly..my girls and I just make hats out of looms. It’s a bit easier!

        Praying God works quick in pointing you in a direction where you feel comfortable and equipped. He’ll get you there!!!!!

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  4. Pingback: For Alicia – God's Kid Speaks

    1. Thank you!!! I enjoy the creative side more than the listing on Etsy! It’s pretty time consuming once you figure pictures and the listing details for that part..it’ll be a while before it’s all listed in the shop lol…helps me work on patience😉

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