Featured seller - KIMMSMITH

A few weeks ago while browsing in the forums (as usual) I cam across KIMMSMITH. What caught me was the beautiful avatar she had and I just HAD to click on it to see what was in her shop. And all I can say is "WOW". She has such a beeutiful array of bead packed jewelry items (Im still trying to figure out how she manages to put so many beads in such a small space) at fantastic prices. I'm looking forward to my next formal dance just so that I can buy something from her.

After spending lots of time in her shop I decided to check in with her to see what is behind the shop and meet the maker.

1) You're designs are so colorful and packed with beads. Where does your inspirations for your designs come from?
My inspiration for colours can come from the most bizzarre things such as a colour combinations on a shower gel bottle, wallpaper, fabric, a pattern on a dress or a gift box. My main inspiration though is my garden and childhood memories of the hours I spent in my grandparents award winning garden full of flowers and orchards.

2) Tell us about how you started to get into making jewelry and how you got on etsy.
My sister used to make jewelry and I always admired her, she tried to show me how it was done one day and it just wasn't for me even though I had always loved beads since childhood! I was made redundant a few months later and had lots of spare time on my hands and was very bored so I decided to have a play but kind of doing it my way, from that day on I became addicted! I had already bought from etsy on a few occassions but a fellow etsian (janetlily) introduced me to the site as a seller, from that day I haven't looked back!

3) What do you like to do in your free time when you're not creating?
I have 2 boys aged 8 and 17 and a gorgeous hubby who runs my youngest son's football team so I watch them play at weekends, I read, love cooking, go for an inspiring walk and love to lunch with my best friend. I also keep Ian's roofing business up to date. Oh and searching for even more beads too!

4) What do you find are successful ways to promote (or unsuccessful ways) your business?
I find my facebook fanpage a great way
to promote my designs, I also Twitter and have found being in the etsy forums is a good way to get noticed and make some wonderful friends too! I couldn't keep up with my blog but many people find this a very successful way to promote.

5) Do you have any advice for those who are new to etsy or are thinking about opening a shop?
My advice for anyone thinking of opening a shop would be to take it slowly. Join the forums and ask for advice, until I went into the forums I didn't realise that I could renew my items! Practice your photography skills until you are happy with your pictures. Use all 14 of your tags and describe your item well. Don't give up, it takes time to build up your shop and get noticed but Etsy is a fabby place to be, everyone is friendly and helpful. Go for it!

6)Anything else about yourself that you would like to share with us?
I dream beads, I'm a total chocoholic, If i'm not singing I talk to myself whilst beading and lastly I have the most supportive family and friends who I am most grateful to!