Handmade Shop of the Week: Wellspring Creations

Judy/Wellspring  of  Wellspring Creations, has been selling jewelry on etsy since September of 2008, and other places for more then a year before that. She combines beautiful wire wrapping with oversized jemstones.

Why did you decide to open your handmade shop?

I did way too much "eBay Therapy" when I couldn't find a cancer support group for a family member's rare cancer (now two years cancer-free!). About the time I discovered what a huge stockpile of natural gemstone cabochons and beads I'd collected, a friend introduced me to wirework. It was a natural match!

Has your inventory changed much since you first opened?

I'm still working through my stockpile of gemstones (though I'm still always looking for unusual stones), but my skill and techniques have really developed. Now I am much more creative and inventive, especially with geometric and asymmetric shapes.

Who are the majority of your customers? How did they find you?

I do many markets and fairs. Most of my transactions are in person, simply because my work sells itself. Online, my clients vary. Most find me through web searches, though some of my best clients are Twitter friends.

What inspires you to create?

In my life, I've done just about every kind of needlework imagineable, but I was only able to follow patterns, never able to create...until I found wire. Now any quiet moment, sometimes even in my sleep, I will be designing. I have literally gotten up at 2am with several ideas to sketch that came to me in my sleep!

What is your favorite item in your shop currently? Your most popular item?
I am particularly fond of this sterling silver wrapped teardrop amethyst pendant. I hand picked it at a gem show for its clarity and fascinating internal structure. The wrapping holds it securely, but doesn't cover up the amazing stone. Most of my items are very limited edition or one of a kind, but one popular item is the sterling silver wire wrapped Swarovski crystal ring.

What has been your greatest resource to make your shop successful?
Twitter, because I've cultivated a lot of friends, and from my blog, WellspringCreations.blogspot.com. My greatest strength is that I use the finest materials: sterling silver, solid copper, or 14K gold filled wire and rare, high-quality stones. I combine them with great attention to detail such as careful placement and finishing of wire ends. I even make my own earwires to make sure they meet my high standards for comfort and stability (so they stay in your ears rather than 'work' their way out!)

Any changes coming to your shop in the future?
I seem to be very creative this time of year, so I will be adding new designs as the season progresses. I will know what they are when I hold the stone in my hand and it suggests a wrapping. :-)

How else can we find you online? Any team affiliations?
I have three eCrater shops in addition to my Etsy shop. All can be accessed through http://www.wellspringcreations.us/. In addition, I am a member of the EtsyTwitter Team. You can follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/WSCreations.

A GREAT DEAL!
From now to the end of the month of February, Wellspring Creations is including a gift with each purchase with the code: HEARTS (type it in the checkout process or email immediately afterwards with the code... ship fast :-)