First off, tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hey! I’m Tracy. I’m from Boston. I’m half Puerto Rican, half Sicilian. I’m a Scorpio and I have the worlds worst ADHD. I tell you this only to give you an explanation for the rest of my INSANE answers! I’m a wife to one and mom of two! I am the owner and designer of Sea Find Designs.
How and when did you start making jewelry and your other items?
I started designing jewelry out of necessity. We grew up pretty poor and my mother was a single mom and a bit of a McGuyver! If we couldn’t buy it, we made it! We were pretty unique! I started designing professionally around 199something. I made a few things… gave some to friends, did a few shows, and the rest is Etsy history!!! I still have the first piece of sea glass I ever designed….. HORRIFYING!!! You can hardly see the glass through all the wire wrap! It’s my favorite piece in the world though. If you check my profile on www.seafinddesigns.etsy.com you’ll understand why!
When and how did you originally find Etsy?
I was doing a show in either Boston or Providence, I can’t remember (please refer to the ADHD comment) And I met a girl named Danielle, my table was next to hers and she told me about www.etsy.com and how I could make a living and stay home with my kids. I checked it out and I quit my day job less than six months later! Now I work Per Diem for my local Emergency Room about twice a month. I keep that job so I’m able to talk to big people once and a while! Oh, by the way, Danielle ended up working for www.etsy.com and is now www.daniellexo.etsy.com and www.preciouspups.etsy.com!
What is unique about Etsy and what about the website do you like the most in regards to your shop?
Etsy is unique in the way that it still feels like a family and not yet a business!! I’ve “met” so many other sellers and made so many friends! ACTUAL friends… I met Paulie of www.venbead.etsy.com through one of my Etsy teams and she’s now one of my bestest pals EVAR!!!!! I chat and hang with Linny of www.alamodestuff.etsy.com on a regular basis too…. She’s wicked cool!! I hope Etsy stays “family” like, it would be a shame if it went all biz! Being able to contact someone in admin. and talk to them like you know them is a big deal for me!
The BEST part of my shop is just being able to be me! A lot of customers say they come to my shop because it’s more like my blog…. If I can’t be myself, someone pull the plug!
What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?
Many many things! First my ADHD drives me! Nature too, for obvious reasons. I’m not named Sea Find Designs for nothing!! But really, I think it’s nostalgia; take a peek at my work…. you’ll see most of my work is inspired by 70/80s music... sitcoms… books! I remember every detail from my youth and it shows in my whimsical designs! I’m a nut!
What is your favorite piece you’ve created and why?
My Eco Love cut heart designs, be they sea glass or beach stones. I am very proud to be the creator of something so cool!
What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?
I think I have accomplished it! I love what I do and everything else is just suga baby!
Do you have any new creations in the works? If so, what can shoppers expect to see from you soon?
A lot more metal work! I recently finished taking many different classes. My man made a new studio for me down in our finished basement…. I’m ready!! Stay tuned….. Mami never sleeps!!!
Where can readers find out about more information regarding your jewelry and other creations and possible special offers (including additional websites, blogs, facebook, etc)?
Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Find-Designs/167631861146) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/seafinddesigns )
