Interview with B.Johnson.Jewelry

After a long break, Look See Saw has returned with a new interview with B.Johnson.Jewelry. Bettina Johnson's jewelry is classic and elegant with a contemporary eye for design. One look through her Etsy shop will have you marking favorites left and right, for yourself or for lovely, reasonably priced gifts. Enjoy!

Tell us about a little about yourself (where you live, your interests, job/s, etc)
My name is Bettina Johnson and I design unique, vintage, modern and contemporary custom and handmade jewelry. I started my business in September 2008 and love what I do. My husband and I moved from Stuttgart Germany to the states in 2007, and we're living currently in Nebraska. Last month I decided to quit my day job, I got so overwhelmed with orders that the only way to keep this business was to leave my job as an Retirement Account Specialist. P.S. I am so happy I did!

What creative interests did you have as a child?
I drew a lot as a child, mostly nature and animals. Then at 12 years of age, I started to play the flute and enjoyed all the places we went for concerts. I also collected buttons and gum paper.


What led you to opening an Etsy shop?
I started to create jewelry back in 2004 for my beauty shop in Germany, but never got deeply into it because I was so busy making my clients pretty. After I came to the states I started creating jewelry but only for me and for friends, special occasions, that type of thing! I realized that people started complimenting me on my jewelry, and there it started. I googled the web and found Etsy and Silkfair, which I am currently using to sell my designs. But most of my business happens outside the web, I have local clients and shops that carry my jewelry.

How do you get inspired for new ideas? How do you keep track of these ideas?
I basically look through magazines in order to stay up to date, I also have a collection of the current season called "Summer Collection". My clients are always looking for new items, that's why I am constantly working on new jewelry. I wear my own jewelry and I wouldn't create something that I wouldn't want to wear, so being unique and special means a lot to me. I redo my items 2-3 times or until I am satisfied with it.


What do you love most about what you do?

Being creative means so much to me, to create something that someone else likes so much that they would buy it, that feeling is not to be topped. Something that is very important to me is to have time again, when I worked two jobs I never had time to just relax and get my mind clear. I worked from 7am to 4:30pm. As soon as I got home I started to get my orders ready to be shipped, then I blogged on my blog and also concentrated on creating new items. Most of the time my husband had to pull me away from my desk, and tell me to go to bed because I had to get up at 5:40am every morning. But now I get up in the morning -NOT at 5:40am, and make myself some breakfast, sit on my Macbook and check my e-mails, orders and blog. By noon I have cooked something and await my hubby to come home. Another very pleasant feature to my own business is that I get to see my dogs all day and can actually let them run around in the yard and enjoy how they play with each other.


What's your favorite creation so far and why?

I would say its my Swallow LOVE Bracelet, I wear it whenever I can. The colorful Czech beads with the Swarovski Pearls combined look so romantic, and it is very comfortable to wear. I also like my Library Glasses holder Ruby Necklace since I have to wear glasses, and every time I put them down I don't remember where I placed them. Very handy this necklace and I just love love love dark red Swarovski crystals, and like I said earlier I wouldn't create something that I wouldn't want to wear myself.

Swallow Love Bracelet - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16588175
Library Glasses Holder - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21080939

Who inspires you as a creator?
People that have made it up there, are successful and have had their business for a long time, that shows me "it is possible". We all start small and have to show patience.
Sometimes it takes longer or is harder to reach your success, but if you work on it and invest your passion in it, I believe it will work.


Where would you like to be in 5 years?
I'd like to see myself in a beach house (Florida or California) with a bigger workspace (studio), 2 kids and creating jewelry just as I do today. I put lots of work, time and energy into my business and really wish to be able to do this for a long time.


What does your workspace look like?
Honestly, its a mess right now because I am working on a big order of 90 items, but I actually try to keep my workspace clean and tidy so I can find my things fast and don't wast my time looking for stuff. I recently gave my hubby an opportunity to get his hands dirty!!! I need a new work desk where I can store all my beads and findings, paperwork and shipping supplies. It really takes over, from starting small with only a few supplies to this overloaded space.

What's your greatest advice for someone following in your footsteps?

Provide quality, customer service, open a blog, make friends on Etsy, Silkfair or any other craft market, visit forums for tips and tricks, join a team and always provide your clients with new items. It is very important to get up and go do wholesale with local stores, instead of just waiting for a sale. These days people want to feel, smell, touch and try on things. The internet is not the whole world, it's just one way to get in contact with each other!

Thank you for reading a bit about me and my passion. I hope you enjoyed it!
Bettina Johnson - http://www.bjohnsonjewelry.etsy.com/

Thank you Bettina! It's been a pleasure getting to know you and exploring your beautiful creations. -JT

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS - Handmade Quilts

A collection of beautiful quilts for your visual pleasure, to dress up your bed, and keep you cozy at night. Some of these are such gorgeous works of art they could also be displayed hanging in your home.


Snowball Quilt by CraftingPenguin
The soft colors and classic design of this piece remind me of some of the quilts of my childhood. They just make you feel good.



Birch Trees by bedscapedesigns

I love the natural inspiration and strong contemporary design in this artful quilt.



Cabin Fever Quilt by PacoandLupe
This quilt is a great example of blending traditional patterns with more modern colors and prints.

Avebury bed or floor quilt by spiralsun65
I absolutely love the bold colors and whimsical design in this quilt. Certainly a cheery sight to wake up to!


Quilt - boardwalk by btaylorquilts
This quilt has a stunning autumn palette and intricate spiral stippling that adds wonderful texture and richness. I must admit, this is my favorite. :)

Have an idea for a Five Fab theme? Leave a comment and let me know!

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS - Vintage Leather Boots

As we welcome in the new season, our wardrobe shifts from shorts to pants, tank tops to sweaters, and flip flops to socks and shoes. Summer is all about letting yourself go, having fun, being in the moment while it lasts. When autumn comes around, there is a renewed sense of determination and a settling back down to business.

My essential "I mean business" footwear for this time of year is a pair of tall leather boots. They are all you need to make your whole wardrobe all of a sudden transform. Banged up jeans? BANG! Transformed into chic jeans when paired with boots. Paint splattered tshirt you've spent the last 48 hours in? Not gross but gorgeous, and may I say even cutting edge, that is, when paired with some fab boots. Now, onto the good stuff...


Vintage Rich Mahogany Leather Campus Boots 7 by yellowjackal
Classic. These speak for themselves.

Vintage High 70s Leather Burgundy Boots Sz 9.5 by marionkc
Tall slinky AND a deeper shade of plum. Need I say more?

Vintage Cowgirl Boots by MissPixleyVintage
The scruffed up toes just add to the badassness of these boots. Yes, that is a word. These boots defined it.

Vintage Leather AQUA BLUE ROPER Cowboy Flat Mid Calf Boots UNISEX Womens Sz 8.5-9 by vintageair
I think I've painted or dreamed these boots before seeing them. In my favorite color, no less. It was deja vu love at first sight all over again...

vintage 70s tan high heel thigh high leather slouch indie boots 6, 6 1/2 by persephonevintage
The absolute ultimate hot tall boots.




Have an idea for a theme? Post a comment and let me know!

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS - Handmade Pincushions

Mum Tomato Pincushion by sushipie
I love the reference to the classic tomato pincushion form with an updated twist and embellishments.

Large Square Emery Pincushion by dottyral
This fabulous black and white pincushion not only looks great in your workspace, it sharpens your needles, too!

p i n c u s h i o n d u d e - grey by loleys
I don't know about you, but I'd have a hard time stabbing this dude, he's just too cute. Still, I'd want him around for good company.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo Pincushion by TheDailyPincushion
I love this little piece because it reminds me of the multi media folk art that my Hungarian grandmother made. The beaded accents make it truly beautiful.

Lt aqua and dk aqua bird pincushion by loosestring
Last but certainly not least, is this sweet little bluebird. I don't even sew and I want this around just to enjoy visually.

Have an idea for a theme or a shop suggestion? Tell me all about it by leaving a comment - thanks!

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS - Revamped Suitcases

"They don't make 'em like they used to."

Isn't that the case with everything these days? In fact, it's been said that manufacturers purposefully create products that are destined to break, bust or straight up fall apart in no time, keeping the capitalist machine rolling and contributing to our snowballing patterns of buying and purging. When it comes to luggage, I purchased a name brand piece of luggage under ten years ago that now holds on by a string (ok, actually it's duct tape). These days we think "ten years of use? good deal!" but think about those indestructible suitcases from yesteryear. The hard cased kind that could fall out of a plane at several hundred feet and still keep your unmentionables unmentioned. (Ok, I'm exaggerating now, but you get the point). I've seen these old gems pop up in garage sales and goodwill and I've ignored them because of a scratch here or a stained lining there - silly me. Other folks with an eye for good design and the vision for future improvements have snagged these treasures up and revamped them for the modern traveler.

Benefits from buying an upcycled suitcase on Etsy:
* Supporting the handmade/green/cottage industry movement
* Standing out in a crowd
* Having a conversation piece waiting in line at the airport
* Knowing what made this luggage last 20+ years will make it last another 20+ years

My first revamped luggage pick by Preserve is straight from Detroit with a hand cut skyline stencil that means business.



C is for Carter, that's good enough for me.
Our peanut farming president takes center stage on this recycled suitcase that mixes pop art with politics by finalapproach.



This bold orange vintage suitcase had all the making of fine luggage to begin with. Add the hand painted and stitched embellishments of GetReadySetGO, and you've got a masterpiece ready for the runway.



I'm a people watcher, I confess. Especially when I'm waiting for a flight. If I saw someone with this fabulous revamped suitcase by jerseymaids I'd have a hard time looking away.





Last but not least is this white, upcycled traincase by SamariaProject. The beauty of this design is the pleasure you'll get when you reach your destination. Open this baby up and let your tired eyes feast on the mod new lining that makes this piece extra beautiful and user friendly (the lining is attached with velcro and easy to clean!).

Have something in mind that you'd like to see featured in the FIVE FAB series? Leave a comment and let me know!

FIVE FAB ETSY FINDS - Amber Rings

This beautiful amber ring by sisicata holds all the magic and mystery of amber's treasures in a sleek, contemporary design.

I love the elegant and feminine approach of this amber ring by ArtisticDetour with its subtle, heart motif.

Simple and classic, this stackable amber ring by BirkaScandinavian is not only eye catching, it's quite reasonably priced as well.

This chunky amber ring doubles as a work of art by marcomagro.

This gorgeous amber and gold ring by mikandesigns is sophisticated enough for work and funky enough for play - the best of both worlds!

Would you like to see a certain theme for the FIVE FAB series? Leave a comment and let me know!

Etsy Sellers Wave Your Hands!

I'm going to start doing a series called the "Five Fabulous Finds on Etsy" - 5 available items for purchase on Etsy in a certain theme that I find quite fabulous and/or must have. If you are an Etsy seller and you'd like to suggest an item of yours or anothers, or a theme, please do so by leaving a comment.