This week’s vintage feature is a slightly different take on the field; Theresa of Harold & Jane uses vintage findings to create bright funky and totally unique new jewelry. Her shop is just darling because she names each item with a song lyric that fits its personality. As she says, “All of the jewelry … is hand made with care in my perch looking out on a lovely neighborhood street in Seattle WA.” Her shop has a definite super-sweet vibe, and her jewelry perfectly matches it!
Q. What’s the story behind Harold & Jane?A. Harold and Jane are my parents middle names. I wanted my shop to represent them in an indirect way as I believe my artistic talent has been a product of theirs.
Q. What first drew you to vintage?
A. My mom has always collected vintage furniture, lamps, dishes, purses, the list goes on! Having been surrounded by vintage my whole life, I have tended towards a vintage style. I love the idea that something has been loved by someone before me.
Q. Describe yourself in exactly ten words.
A. Fun loving and creative with a little bit of goof.
Q. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve come across as a new-ish Etsy seller? Do you have any advice for others new to the site?
A. Summer! Having a full time job, I have to do my Etsy work in the evenings. Since the warm weather rolled around it has been so tough to find any time to bead because I just want to spend all of my time outside enjoying the sun before the rain comes back to Seattle.
Q. What first drew you to vintage?
A. My mom has always collected vintage furniture, lamps, dishes, purses, the list goes on! Having been surrounded by vintage my whole life, I have tended towards a vintage style. I love the idea that something has been loved by someone before me.
Q. Describe yourself in exactly ten words.
A. Fun loving and creative with a little bit of goof.
Q. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve come across as a new-ish Etsy seller? Do you have any advice for others new to the site?
A. Summer! Having a full time job, I have to do my Etsy work in the evenings. Since the warm weather rolled around it has been so tough to find any time to bead because I just want to spend all of my time outside enjoying the sun before the rain comes back to Seattle.
I suppose my advice would be to wait it out. It may take a while to make a sale but don’t lose hope! Just keep adding more to your shop and someone will come along and find something they just can’t live without :). It isn’t all easy though, it has been a lot of work to get Harold & Jane out there. Fortunately for me, my husband has been a huge support and has done whatever he can to help out, giving me more time to focus on the jewelry.
Q. What’s your favorite vintage piece that you own?
A. My mom has given me a set of small vintage glass lamps that she re-wired into working condition. They add a gorgeous, unique touch to any corner of the house.
Q. Who is your style icon?
A. I don’t really have a style icon that I could directly name. When it comes to style, I am drawn to people who wear what they love, not what is “in style” or what they think they should wear. Personality in style shows so much about a person.
Q. What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
A. I love the community of Etsy. its not just a place to buy and sell, there is a camaraderie between the sellers that I have found both in forums and dealing one-on-one with other sellers.
Q. What’s your favorite vintage piece that you own?
A. My mom has given me a set of small vintage glass lamps that she re-wired into working condition. They add a gorgeous, unique touch to any corner of the house.
Q. Who is your style icon?
A. I don’t really have a style icon that I could directly name. When it comes to style, I am drawn to people who wear what they love, not what is “in style” or what they think they should wear. Personality in style shows so much about a person.
Q. What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
A. I love the community of Etsy. its not just a place to buy and sell, there is a camaraderie between the sellers that I have found both in forums and dealing one-on-one with other sellers.
Q. What does your typical day look like?
A. I wake up at around 5:30 and get ready for my day. I start my “9 to 5” at 7am working in human resources at a company in Seattle. Done at 3:30, I head to the gym and make dinner to eat with my husband when he gets home. Often in the evening I spend time beading and my husband does the technical duties of Etsy such as photographing my creations and uploading them onto the site.
A. I wake up at around 5:30 and get ready for my day. I start my “9 to 5” at 7am working in human resources at a company in Seattle. Done at 3:30, I head to the gym and make dinner to eat with my husband when he gets home. Often in the evening I spend time beading and my husband does the technical duties of Etsy such as photographing my creations and uploading them onto the site.
Q. What is your least favorite aspect of your work?
A. That I cant work on Harold & Jane all day! I would love my day to be centered around creating jewelry, maybe some day…..
Q. You have a free ten-day trip anywhere in the world. Where are you going?
A. The Australian coast to swim in the ocean and see some wild wallabies.
Q. What is your favorite Etsy shop, blog, tv show, movie, and band?
A.
- Etsy shop: Rubypearl – these dresses are incredible!
- Blog: A delightful food blog called Orangette, I have yet to come across a recipe I don’t like.
- TV Show: I am sort of ashamed to say that I do have a fondness for The Gilmore Girls….
- Movie: Amilie – so quirky and fun!
- Band: Right now some favorites are Bon Iver, Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, and MGMT. But my ultimate will always be the Dave Matthews band, I can’t help myself.
Be sure to enter the Elizabeth Sorrey giveaway to win a handmade feather hairband – time is running out!
Great blog. Just followed you. Updated my blog.
My blog:
http://tranquility-base-designs.blogspot.com/
My Twitter:
http://twitter.com/jammatun
Great feature! What a gifted jeweler! I love the shot of her at work. It’s so infrequent that you get to see an artist at work.
Fabulous interview! Her jewelry really stands out from the crowd!
I love the Hands still Holding necklace.