Interview with our August Challenge Winner!

Tweet Meet Janis of Myprettywon :

Who are you?
My name is Janis Sreenan. I grew up in southern Wisconsin and I traded in my snow boots for flip flops as soon as I graduated high school.

I studied art and visual communications at Florida State University and worked in advertising as a graphic designer for the past 20 years. After dealing with the corporate world for so long, I was looking for something new, yet creatively challenging.

I have been married for 22 years and have a son, and two 4-legged daughters.

How and when did you start making jewelry?
I actually made my first piece of jewelry 8 years ago while visiting a girlfriend in NC. She gave me the basic instructions on crimping and that was all it took. I was hooked!

I have always done arts, crafts, painting, anything that expresses color and design since I was old enough to hold a crayon. Jewelry making seemed like a natural transition into another venue for my ideas.

What was the main inspiration for your shop?
I am inspired by all the different ways of combining colors, shapes, and techniques. Nature’s colors are just amazing! And there are so many techniques to jewelry making that I sometimes feel "so much to learn, so little time!"

How did you come about your store name?
My shop name evolved from two memorable occurrences in my life … Molly, my Cairn Terrier, is my girly girl and the inspiration for “My Pretty”.

The “Won” has come from being an 8 year breast cancer survivor.

What is the crafting utensil you cannot live without?
I cannot live without my round nose pliers. Also,do magnifying glasses count as a utensil? I need those too. lol

What do you enjoy most about making the things you make?
I love playing with bits and pieces and listening to that little voice inside my head tell me what to do with them. It's a definitely a form of therapy!

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I love the community of artisans that comprise Etsy. It feels like belonging to a big family! I also like the world-wide exposure that is available through Etsy.

Do you have a tip for other Etsy sellers?
I would have to say be patient with sales and increase exposure to your shop through Showcases.

Where in Florida do you live?
I have lived in Lighthouse Point since graduating college. It is small community between Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach. And the best part is the Atlantic Ocean is only minutes away!

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
I have my Etsy shop, an Etsy tab on my Facebook and I am always touting about the great gifts that can be found on Etsy to my friends. Word of mouth is amazing! And there is also my website www.MyPrettyWon.com. I also hope to learn and understand twittering and blogging in the near future.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I guess that would have to be sky diving my freshman year at college. Looking back I can still remember the feeling of free falling and having birds fly by you! Maybe it wasn't so crazy after all?

If you were a dessert what would it be?
If I were a dessert, it would be a Chocolate Soufflé with vanilla crème sauce! (Sweet and yummy yet not that common :-)