Featured Handmade Shop: Serejkin Dom

Anastasia Maltseva lives in Kyiv, Ukraine.  She is the designer and owner of the handmade shop Serejkin Dom.  I fell in love with her creations the first time I saw them.  I had featured one of her lovely necklaces here and asked if she wanted to be a featured shop on my blog.  Thankfully, she said yes :) If you are into pretty, whimsical things, you'll surely love this little shop too.  I hope that you will take a moment to read through the whole interview and get to know more about the talented artist behind this handmade shop.

Let's get to know the Entrepreneur:
 
Why the shop name? 
My shop's name, Serejkin Dom, in Russian means House of Earrings.

How old is your shop?
I've started it in 2008 and since then, my shop has been growing and developing.

What inspired you to start your own home business? 

I don't remember properly how it began. It was summer and I was bored and so I made my first super simple beaded earrings. But it wasn't something surprising: I have a very creative family, who taught me to sew, paint, etc. from childhood.

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far and how did you get over it?

The toughest challenge I faced was me and my fear. Fear to try, to start. When I was creating my etsy shop I didn't know, how it would be and if it will work or not. 

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you? 

Well, never give up! We have great opportunity to see everything around the world through Internet. Just look around, find your muse and create!

Where can we find you online? 
You can find my shop page on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, tumblr, Instagram and Etsy. Am I a geek? :)   We have a Russian language on-line shop and blog as well.

Let's get to know the Artist:

What are your inspirations?

I find my inspiration in things around me: flowers, music, birds songs, nature, buildings. I really like buildings and think all of them have soul. Especially old ones.

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft?

Recently I work in the morning, because of the day light. All process of making earrings or necklace can last for a 1-2 days. Everything starts from a sketch. And if I see in my mind something that I couldn't embody right now, then I start searching of supplies, gemstones etc.

What are your personal picks from your shop?

Oh, I'm in love with our new spring collection: it's so fresh and delicate like morning air and dew on grass.

Let's get a bit personal:)

What do you do when you're not busy in your shop? 

On my free time I like to travel and photograph. And I like to drink coffee with macaroons in a little cafe in an old town.

What are your favorite shops? 

I can't pass by shops with all that cute interior stuff! It's obsession! Speaking about etsy shops I can stand out Coriumi, KaroArt and For Strange Women.

What's inside your bag? 

I'm a girl, so in my bag you can find 5 or 6 red lipstick :) Than there are cardholder, documents, wallet, touch phone (I can't live without it) and my notebook for sketches and plans.

What makes you smile? 

I try to smile for everything, every little moment or pretty thing. I smile at morning, when the sun wakes me up. It gives me energy for the whole day. 

What is your message to customers and the people who support you? 
Just notice beauty of the world and give some love to each other.

~*~*~*~

BIG THANKS & HUGS:

 Serejkin Dom

My Etsy Picks: Mint Fashion

It seems that "mint is the new black" this season.  Mint is such a delicate, calming, charismatic hue that makes you want to reach out and hug someone :)  I don't have a lot of pastels in my closet but green is one  of my favorite colors and I would like to get myself one, two, or maybe a couple of pieces in this endearing shade.  I feasted my eyes on these minted lovelies and I'm wondering if you're also thinking about getting your hands on one of these:

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lace shorts with crochet scalloped trim : three bird nest

scented mint chocolate ice cream necklace : tiny hands

vintage baby doll dress : aiseirigh

leggings with mint berries print : ZIB textile

handmade hair bow : the bellie whistle
chiffon inifinity scarf : Hera Scarf
vegan fold over clutch : milk and honey handbags
bridesmaid chiffon dress : Onor
1970s pleated skirt : coco and orange
mint oxford brogue : goodbye folk
mint vintage sweater : get your vintage on
1990s cropped denim jacket : Julia Sugden

little birds studs : IrenkaR

tiny bird necklace : Beauty Spot

bow knitted headband : Kokosh Knitting

enamel butterfly hair pin : blithely vintage

mint pink lomography print : Basic Design

Chalcedony glass and gold dangle earrings : black and white jewels

mint heart ring : Dariami

Amazzonite stones necklace : AME jewels

mint lace and pearl : Cecilia Jewelry

pastel geometric color block necklace : Alina and T

suede and gold link bracelet : Love Style Happiness

chandelier earrings : exquisite artistry

 tiny mint square earrings : Apple Latte

mint fabric and vintage lace necklace : The Whirlwind

heirloom lace necklace : Hannah's Hope Chest

mint chain ring : amarilo

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Cameo glass bead and brass necklace : Jacaranda Designs

Victorian inspired roses bracelet : Ann Mich Treasure Box

flower sash : Mixed Media by Bridget

acrylic rose, vintage white glass beads necklace : Lovely Sparrow and Co.

ps,
Thanks to all the shops who commented on My Etsy Picks: Spring Fling last week. 

Featured Handmade Shop: KadhiBo & A Giveaway

I've always been attracted to tribal-inspired accessories so when I discovered KadhiBo on Etsy, I asked Kadhi if she would like to do this interview and she agreed right away.  I have so many favorites from her shop and most of them you see on this post.  And the great news is that one of you would win this Native American inspired beaded fringe earrings!  It's a best seller in her shop and it's also one of my best picks. I'm excited for the winner!  But first, let's get to know more about Kadhi, a dancer, poet, artist, traveler, mother and how she's able to bring her inspirations to life. . .

What's the inspiration behind your shop's name?  

I tried for many many months to think of that perfect, magical and catchy shop name, but nothing clicked. When I asked other shop owners and friends for advice on a shop name, many of them suggested I just use my first name - Kadhi - since it is unique.  My husband would use Kadhi-bo as a nickname for me, and I really liked how playful and balanced it felt, so I started using it on my business cards and in social media, and it just stuck. So I stayed with what worked, and I am happy I did!

How old is your shop?

I started selling on Etsy in 2010, but I really kicked it into high gear in this past year after giving birth to my son, Raphael.

What inspired you to start your own home business?

Being a full time mama to a little one can be quite depleting if I don't take breaks to do something for myself everyday.  I started making jewelry during my baby's naps as a way to take a little vacation from being a wife and mother.  Having this creative outlet has been so nourishing for me. It keeps me inspired and excited on the days that I am totally exhausted from being up all night with a teething baby!

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft? 

Most of my pieces are inspired by my dream space.  Often times new ideas of color combinations will show up in my dreams, and if they were memorable enough, I'll sketch them in the morning and make something of it. Colors are the real inspiration for me.  I love playing with different color combinations and creating unique one of a kind pieces.  I also draw much inspiration from the vibrant hues and patterns in tribal textiles and jewelry.

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

Finding the confidence to present my work to the public without feeling self-conscious that it is not "______" enough.  The jewelry market is so saturated and there are plenty of other designers that work with some of the same materials as I do.  So the temptation to fall into a negative feedback loop of comparing myself to others is definitely there.



How did you get over it?

I stopped following trends, stopped comparing myself to other artists and just focused on enjoying my own creative process. I realize that if I make things that I love, that my creative passion will translate through the piece and make it stand out amongst the crowd.

Please Name:

the things you do when you're not busy in your shop:

I spend lots of quality time with my little guy at the park, I love to travel, tend to my garden, dance, get crafty, go on adventures with my friends, and eat gourmet food with my husband.

stuff inside your bag you can't leave home without:
lip cream, shades, tunes, scarf, a couple essential oils and perfume, skin cream, baby wipes!



 
your favorite shops:
I love wearing creations made by my younger sister, www.XangoShola.com

My friend Sadie always has nice vintage finds at Lost Boys and Lovers

And I absolutely adore this artist!


your top 3 favorite picks from your shop:

 gemstone necklace on gold-filled chain

turquoise statement necklace with geometric raw brass bar

   Native American long fringe earrings

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you? 

Do what you love! Be persistent! Work hard and commit yourself fully to getting your business off the ground.  It takes a lot of work to get a business up and running, so stick with it!

Any message to your customers and the people who support you? 

Since the early days of making jewelry, I have been supported by the loving encouragement from my family, friends, and especially my husband.  I am so grateful for their love and support!  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such kind and caring people.

  

To see more of Kadhi's wearable art, visit her Etsy shop.  If you're into readable art, check her out here. You can also find her on Tumblr and Facebook.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Must Do:

1. Follow Beautiful Rache on GFC. 

(If you're not yet a follower, simply click the follow button found on the sidebar)

2. Leave a Comment.

(Visit KadhiBo. Come back here and tell us your favorite item/s from the shop)

Additional entries:

LIKE KadhiBo on Facebook.

Blog or Tweet about this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to all Beautiful Rache followers. Entries will be accepted until Friday, February 22th, 12:00 AM HKT  Open for international readers.  Don't forget to check back on Friday for the announcement of the winner.  Or add me on Twitter to keep posted.

~*~*~*~

BIG THANKS & HUGS

KadhiBo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Window Shop: Stella & Dot Spring Line

I love fashion accessories that incorporate semi-precious stones and beads with subtle accents of yellow or white gold.  Here are some of my favorites from Stella & Dot's Spring Collection.  I think these pieces are very versatile as they can be worn with floral, plain or printed tops; and can be mixed 'n matched with various outfits: dresses, blouse & skirt, or tee-shirts. 

Which of my picks caught your eye?