My name is Tammy and I am the designer of the business. Joyfully Crafted offers meaningful jewelry as well as everyday designs. Special messages and family photos can be used to create a special jewelry keepsake.
What I like most about my job is creating for others. Don't you just love giving gifts with all the excitement you feel getting something so perfect for them and when you see their joy of receiving it? Well I get to enjoy this through all my wonderful customers. On the creation side of making jewelry I am always trying to learn new skills. Working with metal has been so much fun and the most rewarding.
I got started several years ago. My oldest wanted to wear these big earrings and I said no way. It was over summer break so we headed off to the craft store to buy materials to make some earrings. I can picture them now and they were so not professional, but I thought they were the best. I was so excited I started making a few things for gifts.
My passion grew from there and I am continually learning new skills. I read and study magazines, books, and information on the internet. Last year I took a 5 workshop during the summer. I enjoyed working with other artists. I learned a few things, but what I really gained was confidence. I have purchased an ebook on wire weaving. I loved learning skills from a How to ebook tutorial. I have written ebooks for others to learn. The ebooks are detailed, step by step written directions with photographs on How to create soldered glass art pendants and How to make hand stamped pendant jewelry. I am currently working on another ebook.
My company is currently just me and some helpers. No paid employees. My oldest helps me out a lot. I have given my youngest jobs to do and my husband has even helped for a big craft show. As I learn more they are not able to help as much, but just attaching shipping labels to bubble mailers can be a huge help.
My most popular items that I offer are always custom. I offer a lot of personalized jewelry hand stamped with names and custom photo pendants so they are always popular for a unique custom gift.
You can find me on my website, blog, and Etsy store
http://www.joyfullycrafted.com
http://www.joyfullycrafted.blogspot.comhttp://www.tfakler.etsy.com
I am often asked what are my favorite pieces are. It is funny I have a new favorite every month. I save my photos by the month and year they are created. It is great to look at the photos of creations just over the last year. It changes, evolves, and new skills are shown.
Besides making jewelry I have a wonderful family. We are known to be the "day trippers" If we can drive there and back in one day we will. We just love to go to the shore for the day. We are not very scheduled so we might leave for the beach by noon and that is just fine. We will pack a lunch and than maybe stop for dinner and/or ice cream. Oh we love ice cream also. We have been known to drive almost two hours for a new or special ice cream shop. We always do everything as a family. Thankfully our kids love to drive in the car while we take the long scenic route. We go for drives year around, but the summer is the best time. We live in Southern New Jersey. People make fun of N.J. but it really is a great place to live. We are just a short drive to the Jersey shore, Pocono Mountains, historic Philadelphia, New York city and many more wonderful places to visit. The whole business truly is a blessing from God. Thank you for letting me share with you.
