Interview with Allurynn {Professional Women Series}

This post in a series of interviews with women who are working for themselves, running their own business, following their passions. I often feel that women who step out to start up their own business or who have been in business for a long time (but aren’t those tough ladies found in boardrooms) do not receive enough praise and acknowledgement. I have to say, I am really surprised, touched and in awe of what these women are sharing. And it shows to me that every journey is so different, yet so much in common. 

Can you tell me a little bit about your journey into self-employment, what did you do before and how did you get started with designing jewellery and then opening your shop?

      My journey started a long time ago, I always made my own jewelry when I was young and entertained the idea of starting my own business but as a single Mom, job security and a steady paycheck was more important.  So, I became a Registered Medial Assistant which supported my family well.  Years later I found myself working very long hours and having very little time to spend with my kids.  My friend at the time was looking for a jeweler for her shop.  Not only did I make a career change that allowed me to spend more time with my family it also gave me the opportunity to take a hobby and turn it into my new career.  I was introduced to the magic of Gold and Sterling Silver, as well as Precious and Semi Precious stones.  As a result of this magical experience I chose to pursue my own path by setting in motion Creations by Moonlight.   My friend and Mentor; who was impressed by my creations and contributions to her shop, encouraged me as well and with her blessing and my Husband’s support I ventured out and followed my heart and gave birth to Creations by Moonlight.  My husband created my website but it was a very slow start, with few sales.  Then on February 2010, I opened my online store front on Etsy.  It has been a good year, my name and shop are beginning to be noticed by customers who are inspired and moved by my work.  I still have a ways to go for it to be my sole income but it is moving in the right direction.

 You are an etsy seller and I know many people who are so overwhelmed by etsy and afraid to get started? How did you find the experience and do you have any tips to share?

        As I mentioned I had a website prior to my Etsy shop, where sales were slow.  So in December of 2009 my Husband came across Esty and thought it would be a good place for us to open a shop for our Ranch Business, Moonsong Ranch Alpacas, where we sell Alpaca fashions, we had such success in sales that he encouraged me to open a shop for Creations by Moonlight.  Like most we were overwhelmed with the online shop experience and what it entailed, but we found lots of information from both Etsy Success Newsletter articles and Etsy groups.

       I joined the Metaphysical Etsy Team shortly after opening my shop and have been blessed with a wonderful support group of experienced sellers who have shared and helped me out along the way, especially our team leader Ande.

      As far as tips to share, here’s what I’ve found helpful in the past year:

 ~Read the Etsy Success Newsletters, successful sellers share lots of great tips.

 ~Join an Esty Team.  I can’t say enough about how great my Metaphysical team has been.

 ~Pictures, pictures, pictures….this is the only thing your customers have to go on since, they can’t touch, feel or wear your products; so it’s very important that your pictures are clear and the best they can be.  In the beginning my pictures left much to be desired but after educating myself and reading other successful sellers approach to photographing their work, I learned about lighting and macro shots which improved my pictures significantly.  By no means am I a photographer nor do I have any photography experience but I have worked hard at getting the most professional looking pictures I can create, and it’s opened the doors for me to make it onto a lot of Treasuries and start to get noticed. 

 ~ Product Description is important.  Use it as a way to connect to your customers and share about your art.

 ~ Use ALL your tags.  This is very important because this is how your products are found on internet searches. 

 ~Renew your products.  From my experience it’s good to set a budget and renew daily.  Don’t renew several products at a time; spread it out during the day.  Remember there are buyers from around the world with different time zones.

 ~Familiarize yourself with Social Media and online Marketing.  It is still a challenge for me to reach out to my target market, customers who can connect with my work.  I have a Facebook business page, a twitter account and I’m looking into creating a new website in the near future.  

 ~Have a consistent theme that has a thread you can follow throughout your shop.  Like having you header match your business cards carrying those colors into you packaging material and such.  It makes it all look more professional and customers remember who you are.

 Every single one of your pieces looks like it comes straight out of your heart, where do you find the inspiration?

     My inspiration comes from many places, mostly I’m inspired by nature and the stones or beads I create with, but they are also a reflection of my spirituality and vision, so yes, they are from my heart.   Sometimes I wake up with designs in my head and I have to sketch them and make them as soon as I can, it’s as if I am driven to complete them as they come up.  Each piece is handcrafted and designed by the flow of energy at the moment of creation.  Through my jewelry I have allowed the Goddess within to honor the Goddess in every woman and as a result of this unique blend and the nature of wire jewelry, no two designs are exactly alike.  Especially my new line of “Dancing Goddesses”, they are free formed and just have a life of their own.

Does your business also have an offline side to it? If yes, tell us more about it, if no, what are the upsides of running an entirely online business?

      I live in a rural area, there are some local fairs but my price points don’t do well in country fairs.  So, having an online business gives me the opportunity to reach more potential customers than I would here locally.  Of course, I get to work from home and there are no overhead charges that would come from having a brick and mortar store front.

5.      Where there any qualities and strengths that you found out about yourself when you set up your business that you didn’t think you had and that maybe surprised you?

      I’m an artist at heart so the whole business managing and marketing side of it was a little scary.  Not to mention I’m not very computer savvy.  It’s still a learning process and I’m so looking forward to taking Goddess Leonie’s “Business Goddess eCourse” coming up next month.  But in the past year I have surprised myself in becoming more social on the internet by venturing out into Social Media groups, learned lots about managing taxes, as well as how to photograph jewelry.  All of which were things I didn’t consider in the beginning.   I also found that I had courage, the courage to put myself out there and sell my art, which is such a big part of me, it’s hard to part with my pieces they each have a voice of their own, but I know once they are purchased they are going where they belong and are needed.   

 
6.      If I had a magic wand, what kind of wish for yourself and your business would you like me to grant?

      For myself, I would be so grateful to be granted the wish of being successful enough in my own business to contribute to our family budget, so I could quit my day job, where I’m still a contract employee for my Mentor.  For my business I wish for it to truly live up to its statement of being a place to inspire, adorn and honor the Goddess in every woman!

About Alurynn:

Allurynn lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband and soul mate, their wonderful children, and their beloved fur children on their Alpaca Ranch. She’s been surrounded for 22 years by all the beauty that Colorado has to offer. Crafting with her hands has been a passion of hers for many years. She loves working with a variety of mediums, all inspired by nature’s beauty. As a result she has chosen to pursue her own path by setting in motion Creations by Moonlight. A place where she can share her passion and love of handcrafted items to inspire, honor and adorn the Goddess in every woman be it through her jewelry or unique treasures. Each item is handcrafted and designed by her with the flow of energy at the moment of creation, inspired by nature’s beauty and enhanced by the colorful mountains and landscapes of Colorado. It gives her great joy to offer these magickal creations of art, which she believes have a voice of their own, each humming their own beautiful tune. Just listen and enjoy! 

Etsy Shop:  CreationsbyMoonlight.Etsy.com

Facebook:   Facebook.com/CreationsbyMoonlight

Twitter:        Twitter.com/MoonlightMagick

Allyrynn my joint Etsy Shop with her Husband for our Ranch…  MoonSongRanch.Etsy.com