come meet Kim Bergeron

It is time to meet another Outstanding Etsy Owner!

 

 Her name is Kim Bergeron

 

 She owns Sid Kassidy

 

 

(click on the photos in this blog and they will take you right to her shop)

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

 

 

Let's find out all about her! Are you ready to be amazed at her talent? I surely was!!

 

Get your coffee and here we go!

 

 

What do you sell?

 

Silver Pewter Jewelry

 

Small Circle Necklace

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

I used to be an Etsy lover and avid treasurer for fun before I decided to open my shop. I was selling my work only off line when I started to see how it worked well for many sellers on Etsy. I decided to give it a try and I should have done it earlier!

 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

I started making jewelry when I was a child as a past time with my sweet grand mother. Then I sold beaded necklaces when I was a teen in a store near my home. It worked well so I found more places to show my work to the world.

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

My inspiration comes from all the magnificent shapes of our world, geometry, architecture, nature but mostly form abstract feelings, moods and emotions I personally have. If this makes sense :)

 

Hammered Silver Bracelet

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

In 2000 I took a private jewelry course with well known jeweler Josée Desjadins and learned how to work with metals. I then developed my own technique and work only with silver-pewter.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

I see it becoming one of the most successful shop or brand on Etsy and out of Etsy. Offering the most designs I can imagine of filling the need woman have for beauty, quality and awesome customer service, class, eye-catching Statements and also Delicate Edgy Casual Lovelies.

 

1 x 1 inch Spiral Sterling Silver Earrings

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

This is a hard question. I think all artists manage their time like they can and work almost all the time. Its part of my life, ideas running in my head constantly.. mixed with family, daily chores and a certain organization of business things to do.

 

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

 

The name comes mostly from a love for the feeling it gives. Also, Sid represents my lover who works with me and is an amazing artist. Sid also represents masculinity. Kassidy represents me and the beauty of femininity. They are also names that where heard individually before giving a certain familiarity to the sound of the name.

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

I mostly work on one piece at the time when it is purchased but yes I do have some inventory of new designs I make or some more popular pieces.

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

www.facebook.com/sidkassidy (monthly give aways)

www.pinterest.com/sidkassidy
www.twitter.com/sidkassidy

 

 

Statement Necklace

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

Oh yes!!! My family is filled with both visual artists and entrepreneurs. My parents had a huge equestrian business and my mother was a Canadian equestrian competition champion always fighting for her dreams to come true. I think its in my blood!

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

You can subscribe to my monthly give always on FB and stay tuned for upcoming collections.

 

Cuff Bracelet in Sterling Silver

 

 

Minimalist Earrings

 

I told you that you would be amazed at her talent! I love all her designs! Thank you so much Kim Bergeron for sharing your thoughts with us today!

 

Thank you readers for hanging out with me today!

 

Take care,

 

Kate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Angela Frazier of AV Custom Designs and More

 

 

Are you planning a wedding? Today, I have a fabulous shop to share with you!

 

 

AV Custom Designs and More

www.etsy.com/shop/AVCustomDesigns

 

Red Bridal Sash

 

The Owner of AV Custom Designs and More is Angela Frazier

 

Do you all remember falling in love? I do! I have been married 25 years and would do it all again! (Now, who knows if he would!) I remember trying to find the perfect veil, perfect garter and the perfect bouquet. I needed my wedding to be as perfect as the marriage was going to be. Plus, this was my second one and I was going to get this right!

 

I have also married off all my kids. And to be honest, being the Mother of the Bride and a Mother of the Groom is no picnic! This shop will help you in ways you haven't even dreamed of yet if you are marrying off a crazy bride! (... if my children happen to read this... I do love all of you. But, you all were crazy!)

 

Let's get this Party Started! I can't wait to show you many of Angela's Wedding Goodies!!!

 

What wedding goodies do you sell?

 

 I create custom wedding designs but I like to say that I create everything for the bride except the dress. Although I do create designs for all occasions like Quinceaneras, Prom's, Homecoming and any other parties or events.

 

Ring Bearers Pillow

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

My sister is an avid Etsy shopper so she told me about it.

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

 I have always worked in clothing stores so there was always fashion in my life but it was about 2 years ago when I started creating my designs to sell.

 

Bracelet

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

Knowing that something I create will make someone happy.

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

I don't have any type of training for what I create. I guess it just comes natural.

 

Bouquets

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

 I would like to create custom wedding dresses and possibly items for the groom.

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

 I am very fortunate, my office and shop are in my home so if I need to run errands or take care of other business then I can leave to do it at anytime.

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

 

The A is for my name Angela and the V is for Vickie which is my sisters name. We were going to do a partnership but after I filed papers for the name AV Custom Designs and More my sister decided that it wasn't the best time for her to commit to a partnership. I loved the name of my shop, it was PERFECT so I kept the V.

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

I really just create things as they pop into my head. I never know if it will fly off of the shelves or just sit there. I tell my husband that there is one person in the world that is looking for something that I have created - they just need to find me.

 

Wedding Veils

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

FB: www.facebook.com/pages/AV-Custom-Designs-and-More/392140854152667

Pintrest: www.pinterest.com/afrazier362/

LinkedIn: Search- Angela Frazier, Beaumont Texas

Twitter: twitter.com/AngelaFrazier11

WaNeLo: wanelo.com/avcustomdesignsandmore

SETXweddings.com: www.setxweddings.com/av-custom-designs/

SETXweddingdirectory:http://setxweddingdirectory.com/professionals/dress-apparel/av-custom-designs-and-more/

Etsyology.net: www.etsyology.net/shop-finder/?name=avcustomdesignsandmo

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

I used to dream of owning my own business I just never thought I would ever get to.

 

 

Were you over the age of 45 when you started your shop?

 

Yes, I was 47 yrs old

 

 

How do you think your age has helped you in your business?

 

 I was a store manager for some large retail stores for about 25 years so I brought that knowledge into running my own business.

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

I send out a monthly email- in the emails I give sneak peeks of new collections and any upcoming events that I have planned. Usually Bridal Shows or Charity events.

 

 

Thank you Angela for sharing your shop!

 

Thank you Readers!

 

Take care,

 

Kate

 

 

 

A little plug: If you are looking for wedding gifts come visit:

Featured Shop Donna Designed

Happy  Saturday!

 

The first day of March! I hope today is finding you well! Spring is just around the corner and for me it can't get here fast enough!

 

Today, I am featuring Etsy Shop Donna Designed!

www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaDesigned

  

American Girl Doll Clothes

 

Donna Gividen is from Columbus, IN, USA.

She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandma. And an amazing crafter!!

 

I am very excited to get to know her and her shop. When I looked inside her shop I couldn't help but smile! The first thing I noticed was her American Girl Doll Clothes. My mother would have flipped seeing all these doll outfits! My mom was a collector of dolls and had over 800 dolls in her collection. Oh, how I wish she could have taken a peek at what Donna has to offer!

 

Get comfy and let's get to know all about Donna!

 

 

Tell us about all the goodies in your shop

 

I have in my shop 18 inch doll clothes for girl and boy dolls, purses, wristlets, totes and lanyards, hand warmers, counted cross stitched items such as bookmarks and ornaments, hair accessories, patterns and pattern books and some vintage items such as children's books. 

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

Several years ago I made a purse for myself. I didn't use a pattern and thought it was my original idea but since then have seen some like it for sale. I started getting lots of compliments on it and family members asked me to make them one. Soon after that my granddaughter got an American Girl doll and I began making doll clothes for her doll. People began saying, "You should be selling those." when they would see my purses or doll clothes. My son mentioned Etsy first but I was and am quite computer challenged so I ignored that. I thought it would be too hard for me. Then more people began mentioning Etsy so I decided to give it a try. I did a craft show with my niece and knew that I would probably have things left to sell since I made a huge amount of things so that seemed a good time to get an online presence.

 

Boy Doll Clothes

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

I guess a need got me started in making most of my things: a purse for myself and doll clothes for my granddaughter. I always thought I could make things as good or better than what you find in most stores and make them to please my tastes.

 

Shoulder Bag

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

It's funny. My son is a hair stylist and any time I was with him, he would be looking at people's hair. I found when I began sewing items to sell, that I was looking at the purses that people were carrying not to copy them but just to see what is in style. And I find myself noticing what little girls and boys are wearing to get inspiration for doll clothes. 

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

My mom taught me to sew. The summer between 6th and 7th grade I made my first skirt and from then on made many of my clothes, including my wedding dress.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

  I don't see my shop as a hobby really. I want to make a profit and for it to be a worthwhile endeavor for me. But I also don't really want a full time job at this point in my life. So while I hope that my shop will have an increase in sales in the next 5 years, I also want it to remain something I enjoy, something manageable. I can control that on Etsy but only offering what I am able to make.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

 Family comes first. So when my daughter, (who is married, has 4 kids, is in college, and has a part time job) needs my help, I will drop everything and help her. (I tell them that they are going to take care of me when I am old.) When my son is in town, the shop is also on a back burner and when the grandkids are here, I do not sew. I also do volunteer work one day a week which comes before my shop. But I try to devote at least one day a week wholly to my shop and also to work on it a little every day. Actually the computer part is an every day thing and I try to ship orders when they come in so part of every day is devoted to my shop.

 

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

 

I asked advice when choosing a name. I asked my husband and my daughter. My daughter suggested something that rhymes or alliteration, using words that begin with a D since my name begins with D. She thought this would make my name more memorable. Very little rhymes with Donna so I went with alliteration. Even that was hard because so many names are already taken.

 

Yellow Korker Bow Hair Clip

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

I love to create new designs and make things I love so I do some of that. However I've found it is best for my shop to make what sells and make the same item over and over. It's not my favorite thing to do but it does make sense. Also I take into consideration what customers ask me to do. I had a customer ask me to make boy doll clothes. She specified what she wanted and I did what she asked. They became really good sellers so I have begun adding a line of boy doll clothes to my shop.

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

 Facebook 

www.facebook.com/DonnaDesigned

  Pinterest 

www.pinterest.com/donnagiv/

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

 I think I always thought it would be cool to be selling my items somewhere but I always thought of a consignment shop or something like that and never pursued it. I never thought about opening a shop on my own. 

 

Rice Hand Warmer

 

 

Cross Stitched Bookmark

 

 

Were you over the age of 45 when you started your shop?

 

I was 61 when I opened my shop.

 

 

How do you think your age has helped you in your business?

 

 I think my age has helped me because I am very open to advice and suggestions from others. I know that even though someone may be younger than I, they very well may know more than I do about selling and selling on Etsy. Also I have funds available to me to use to purchase supplies that I would not have had when I was younger and I don't see this as becoming a 'living' for me so I am not stressed about it. It's something I enjoy that earns me some money.

 

Cross Stitch Ornament

 

Sports Towel

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

 The only thing I might add is that while an Etsy shop is fun and a great opportunity, it is work. You can't just put items in a shop and expect that they will sell. Usually that doesn't work. And if you are a seller, my best advice would be to accept the advice of sellers who have been on Etsy longer than you have. I have gotten so much valuable help from other Etsy sellers. I was actually surprised at how willing to help the other sellers are.

 

Thank you Donna for sharing with us!

 

&

 

Thank you all for stopping in and reading!

 

Take Care,

 

Kate