Feature Friday: These Precious Things - Jama Watts

Many thanks to Devin who got this interview together on our Facebook page. I copied and pasted from there. Thanks so much to our superstar Jama Watts for participating

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1)How did you first hear about etsy :

I'd heard about etsy a while back from a friend who was purchasing items and thinking about opening her own store. Last year, when I made the conscious decision to promote myself better, I opened my store in July. It took me a while, but I really enjoy it!

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:

I'm a single mother of one fantastic little girl, own a small gallery/coffee shop in Lebanon, Ky, work part-time at the local public library and am very involved in the community with our Arts & Humanities Council, Main Street Committee, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and other organizations. I like to be busy!

I'm a jewelry designer, focusing primarily on beading, but I also do wire work, silver clay, resin, bead crochet and anything else that strikes my fancy. I'm too ADD to really focus on one medium and I LOVE to learn, so I'm always buying books and magazines to learn new techniques.

3)How did you get started as a designer?:

I started out as a painter and sculpter, getting my art degree from Campbellsville University. Like many artists, I ended up with jobs that had nothing to do with my degree for a while. I kept painting in my spare time, but wasn't doing anything career wise or promoting myself.

In 2002, I was pregnant with my daughter and working as a web designer/office manager for my mom's computer programming & repair business. My OB kicked me out of my art studio and I needed to find some sort of creative release. I bought some beads, beading wire and inexpensive tools, figuring that I could create jewelry and have something to wear or give as gifts. I found I really enjoyed it and started snatching up every beading book and magazine I could find!

4)What inspires you to create?:

I have to create. I can actually feel when I haven't been able to produce something. I think that's just something inside me that has to be released. As for a muse or something to that effect, I have music going 99.9% if the time that I'm working. I find inspiration in music, artwork and nature. Sometimes, it might be the thrill of learning a new technique of a challenge, but the inspiration comes from those three key items.

5)How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?

I joined the BEST team right after joining etsy, probably in August or September of 2008. I searched through the etsy team listings, hoping to find a group of Kentucky artists. I couldn't be happier that I found you guys!
6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:

Always push yourself beyond your comfort zone. There's nothing wrong with perfecting a technique and working on your favorite items, but you don't want your art to become stagnant.


Check out here awesome shop here:
http://thesepreciousthings.etsy.com

Slideshow Tutorial: Matchbook Notebook Promo Cards

This tutorial was lovingly put together by our own amazing Kellibeans Enjoy this tutorial and thanks Kelli for the hard work! This is a GREAT tutorial! I wanna go make one!

Feature Friday: GloryBeHerbals

This weeks feature Friday shop is GloryBeHerbals Jackie Alberti Who makes some really awesome natural products. Keep an eye out from an article by Jackie on herbs and herbs and plants native to Kentucky. I know this will be a fascinating article as soon as we can get it together. But for now here is her interview so you can get to know Jackie a little better:


Tell us about yourself! What part of Ky your from, your family,if you have a day job? if so what do ya do?

I have been living in Lexington since I graduated from college in 1990. We moved to Kentucky when I was in 3rd grade-My Dad was stationed in Fort Knox. So I have lived in Radcliff, Dry Ridge, Richmond and Lexington. My parents and my brother live in Georgetown and my sister lives in Eastern Kentucky. None of us are originally from here but we love this state so we've stayed. In fact my Mother's brother has just moved back here from South Carolina. I have a teenage daughter and a husband (also a transplant from out-of-state). I do have a full time day job as a clerk at the Post Office, so I can help with shipping questions too!

What got you started in Crafting?

I originally started on my herbal path when I was in high school after I read Jeanne Rose's Herbal Body Book. I fell out of it for over a decade and rediscovered it about 7 years ago. I began to study herbs and essential oils pretty intensly on my own and finally decided to get a little formal education. So now I have certification as an herbalist and aromatherapist. It's not an easy education, either! You have to understand chemical compounds to be responsible in this business! All I can tell you is that I was on about a half dozen prescription meds in my early thirties. After incorporating herbs and aromatherapy into my life I don't take any prescription medications. It has had an enormous impact on my life so I want to help make a difference to other people.

Whats a normal day like for you?

I get up at 5 AM and have some coffee and alone time. I work from 7:30 until 4:30 and I run like crazy all day!!! When I have my lunch break I spend about 10 minutes eating and the rest of the time brainstorming-I always have something cooking in my brain and I always have a notebook handy to write down inspirations. When I get home I have dinner, clean up and then I have time to work on orders, my blog, new formulas, answer email, etc. I try to have a little time with my husband just to relax before bed. Actually, right now I'm working on this interview, and article, two orders, two loads of laundry and five months worth of samples to go in the spotted box........

Is there anything special you would like your potential customers to know about your work??

The most important thing I would like my customers to know is that I care about them like I care about my family. I will never use anything in my work that I wouldn't use on my own daughter. That's why I use the most natural ingredients I can and I only use pure essential oils, never fragrance oils. I believe in customer service so no one is ever going to be bothering with a question. I have met so many nice people doing this and I really love it!


Whats your favorite thing about Kentucky?

No matter where you go in this state it's beautiful! I think the fall colors in eastern Kentucky are every bit as beautiful as the New England colors they rave about on TV. Since I have family in New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, Kentucky has been a perfect place to live for my family.

What is your favorite product you make?

That's a really hard question. I think I enjoy custom orders the most and the perfumery. It's fun to make a scent that smells good and is healing to the person wearing it. Right now my favorite is my Introduction to Aromatherapy-it has all the stuff I wish my program came with. You can start making stuff the day you get it.

You can see all of Jackie's Natural bath and body products in her Etsy shop
For now here is a sampling:

Etsy Buy Handmade Glorybeherbals