MONDAY MADNESS: TurtleXIII on Etsy

MEET TURTLEXIII

We met TurtleXIII about a year ago on the Promotional Frenzy Team.  Turtle is wonderful!  It has been such a joy getting to now her and to work with her on the team.  Because I like her so much, I'd like to allow each of my readers to become acquainted with her.

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I am a 31-year-old female, and I’m a licensed physical therapist assistant. I absolutely love rehabbing patients and helping them reach their highest level of independence. As a second job, I design and sell jewelry. I began designing jewelry when my parents gave me a jewelry class for my 15^th birthday. Then about 5 years ago my wonderful mother in law taught me how to wire wrap, and I was absolutely hooked. I soon had more jewelry than I could wear and my friends and family became the happy victims of my excesses. I have since learned to solder and drill, and continue to expand my skills whenever I can.

What's the history of your store?

I opened my store just after Christmas of 2009. My husband has been encouraging me for years to find a way to sell my jewelry, and one day I came across etsy. I had to build up the confidence to actually open a store, but one day I just did it. My store name is TurtleXIII, and it confuses many people. Turtles, specifically sea turtles are my favorite animals, and I loved visiting the Karen Beasely Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island, NC. The XIII is Roman numeral 13, which is my favorite number. So my shop sells my favorite craft, and is named with my favorite animal and favorite number.

What makes your store UNIQUE from all the other stores that sell a product similar to yours?

In my shop you will find my jewelry made from sterling silver, swarovski crystals and pearls, natural pearls, gemstones, and more. What makes me unique from other stores is that I use only sterling silver components for all the major pieces. I occasionally use silver plated or non sterling silver, but only in components that will not come in contact with the skin. This is important to me because I am allergic to a lot of metals. The other important fact is that the sterling silver will not “rub off” as it is not a coating. The down side of this is that items may tarnish over time if exposed to air, and humidity, but that is easily fixed with a cleaner or polish cloth, whereas, if the coating comes off from plated silver, there is nothing you can do to fix it.

Another thing that makes me unique is my tendency towards perfection. I am extremely attentive to every last detail, including making sure my wire wraps will not scratch the skin or snag on clothing. I would never sell something I wasn’t proud to wear.

     

Tell our readers about your favorite items that you make and list in your store.

I have so many favorites in my shop. I love swarovski crystals, lampwork beads, turtles of course, and my new line of necklaces with the sea glass my friends and I collected in Topsail Beach NC

What is the item you are the most proud of in your store?

I am most proud of my 3 strand pearl necklace where I knotted the silk between each and every pearl to replicate the style used during my grandparents time when pearls were much more precious. I love the look it gives. It also makes for an extremely secure necklace. In the unlikely event that the thread breaks, you will only lose one pearl, instead of all of them. This technique was one I taught myself using very basic written directions. I redid this necklace many times before getting it just right, and the final version took me over 6 hours to complete. In the end, it came out even better than my vision.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46071631/three-strand-knotted-pearl-necklace

What kinds of services do you offer for custom orders, what are your policies regarding custom orders?

I love custom orders. The simplest ones I do involve changing the clasps, earwires, and lengths of bracelets and necklaces. I can also modify the colors on many of my swarovski items. I can often make multiples of items for parties or bridesmaids. For a true custom order I can work with the customers ideas and preferences and create something uniquely theirs.

For a modification request I require payment up front, and new pictures will be taken for final approval of the customer. For completely custom orders I request 50% up front to cover the expenses of supplies. The final amount is due upon approval of final photographs, before items are shipped.

Where You Can Find TurtleXii:

• Store: turtlexiii.etsy.com
• Blog: turtlexiii.blogspot.com
• Twitter: turtle13jewelry
• Email: turtlexiii@ymail.com

A special gift to all of our readers from Turtle:

Use coupon code KATERSBLOG for 15% off your purchase, through September 18, 2011. This coupon DOES NOT include items in the “destash” section of my shop.