Featured Friday - Shop Pretties

I would like you to meet Deb Lonergan and her Etsy shop:  ShopPretties.

If you love one of a kind necklaces, bracelets and earrings, feminine designs individually crafted using gemstones, pearls, hand crafted glass, crystals, vermeil, gold-filled and silver-filled metal., Then you will love the items at ShopPretties.

Let's get to know ShopPretties and Deb:

What would you like us to know about you?

I have recently retired and now have the time to indulge myself with the jewelry making. I got hooked on beads several years ago, and pretty much can't pass up anything shiny that crosses my line of vision! It is an addiction, as I think most beaders will admit to.
 

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?

I've been wanting to sell my items for quite a while, and had been urged to do so by friends and family. But, you never know if people are just being kind when they gush! So, it was a terrifying step to take. 

 How did you come up with your shop name?

Well, that was sort of a shot in the dark. I wanted it to be a bit generic because in future I might expand to things other than jewelry. But I also wanted it to reflect what I think is the main attribute of my designs....they are pretty. At least I think so. Plus easy to remember. Ergo "ShopPretties".

How would you describe your shop?

When I was in career mode, I always found it difficult to find accessories that were really exactly what I wanted. Many of my coworkers over the years felt the same way. So, I always have the career woman in mind when I design. Of course, I hope my designs appeal to many women, not just those with a career outside the home. I want the items in my shop to be unique enough that a woman feels special when she wears them. Special and beautiful.

What inspires you?

I say nature inspires me. I look at the fantastic colors all around and the color combinations and take cues from those things. But the women that I design for inspire me as well. The woman who wants something special, either for her everyday life or a special occasion, something to make her feel pretty, to let her express her personality through her jewelry. She is my primary inspiration.

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?

I love all my children! My favorite materials are pearls, crystals, gemstones and gold vermeil in any and all combinations. I've just recently begun simple wire wrapping and hope to learn that to provide another dimension to my designs.

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?

Hmmm. That is hard. There are more than three things needed to create a piece of jewelry. Perhaps I would hope to be on an island that has a built in supply of things I could use as stringing material and beads.....then I would only need a couple tools, probably snippers, chain nose pliers and a drill to make beads out of found objects.

Where else can we find you?

I've just started selling on-line and have just barely begun to enter the world of social networking. You can find me @ShopPretties on Twitter. I have a personal FB page (Deb Lonergan) and am working on a store page. www.shoppretties.com will also get you to my Etsy shop. I have posted on lifesjewelsonstring.blogspot.com where there is a section for Etsy sellers. And on TheCraftStar FB page. I'm looking for more venues and am in desperate need of expanding my contacts on Twitter and Facebook.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
Just for everyone to spread the word about my shop! And help me expand on FB and Twitter.
 

Thanks so much Deb.  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Deb some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great weekend!

knitting yarns