Featured Shop - KT Designs Jewelry
Sunday, March 9th, 2008
What is your name? Katie Long
What are your shop/site links? www.ktdesignsjewelry.etsy.com
What types of crafts do you make?
My main craft is making jewelry (but I dabble in almost anything!)
How did you get into making jewelry?
I started when I was 16 or 17 (I am 22 now). It all started one summer when I was on summer vacation with my family (we go to Rhode Island every summer!) I have family there and we rent a house right on the water! I remember starting off with small seed beads that I would string and make dozens and dozens of stretchy bracelets and rings with in the mornings before we would head off to the beach. Soon I learned how to do more things, like make earrings and finish necklaces and then I was on a roll from there. I have always been a very hands-on person, touching just about everything when I go into stores, so working with beads was perfect! I learned more advanced techniques and more quality pieces and later I sold at flea markets back home on the weekends. That was a lot of hard work because it was mostly in the summer and it would get very hot out there! Many years have passed since then and I have picked up even more skills. I have bundles of things that I have made (and fell in love with – sometimes it’s hard to part with the things I make.) I have really found my nook at Etsy. It’s been a really great experience for me so far. I think it’s just a really positive community filled with amazing and talented artists.
What is your favorite thing about making jewelry?
I love to just sit and come up with new designs and create pieces. I find it very relaxing. One interesting thing is that recently I learned that my grandfather was a jeweler as well (and my mom had some of the earrings he used to make.) They were all with real stones and very well made. I never got to meet my grandfather because he died before I was born, but it is really great to think that maybe his love of making jewelry was passed down to me. My grandma said she would even give me him old jewelers tools and pliers! How amazing would it be to be able to work with the same tools as my grandfather did!
What is your least favorite thing about it?
Sometimes I go through dry spells where I can’t think of any new design ideas
What makes your products special?
I love to incorporate vintage items (like charms, beads, or other trinkets) into my work. I have always been fascinated with vintage items (I am not sure why). I like to break away from the cluttered market of mass produced stuff that saturates our lives everywhere we go. To have an item that someone handmade (with love) is truly special, no matter what it is.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, in your business?
I would love to be able to be making jewelry full time (right now I am a senior at Penn State). I want to be able to travel a bit and get materials from different places.
What inspires you?
Colors, texture, and details usually inspire me a lot. The details in vintage pieces really inspire me to take my time with each piece and look into what would compliment it. I also get really inspired by looking at what other artists have made and their talents. No matter what the craft. I find it amazing the things that people make, and it inspires me to make more of my own items too!
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into making jewelry? Find your own niche. Discover what inspires you and go with it. The jewelry business is very saturated, so you really have to stand out. Take a lot of pictures!! I can’t express this enough. If you sell online it’s important to take many different pictures of your work so that people can get a feel for it – almost as if they were looking at it in person. Finally, it’s important to never give up. Don’t get discouraged. If you love what you do you will become successful. I believe that the passion and dedication you put in really shows through an individuals work and the results they produce.
What would you do if you won 10 million dollars?
Of course I would donate some of it and try and do good things… but on a light and fun note I would go on a supply binge and buy everything! I love buying beads and supplies almost as much as I love making jewelry.
Would you rather be rich or famous?
famous (but happy). To know that others appreciate what you do and admire your work is better than money (in most cases haha.)
What’s your favorite:
food? Ice cream
number? I have a few favorite numbers – 8, 26
color? blue
scent? My boyfriend!
Stumble it!
