I enjoy knowing that there are people all over the world wearing a bit of me – southern beauty. I love knowing that there is a bride having her dream wedding using my blossoms, that is such a wonderful feeling.
Jamie West
I am a wife of 13 years to my highschool sweetheart and a homeschooling mother to 4 munchkins.
I love the color pink and I am proud of the fact I am a SouthernBell (atleast I am to my hubby).
I love chocolate and anything with chocolate in it; however, I am an insulin dependent diabetic, which makes enjoying chocolate to the sinful level unachievable.
I am a veteran of the Army Reserve and I am extremely patriotic for the Red, White, and Blue.
What got you started crafting?
I started crafting when I was around the age of 7 when my grandma started teaching me to crochet. She was called away to be an angel only a little later and I just continued on. I was a great artist and my daddy supported and pushed me in everything artistic. Over the years I have become a self-taught Jane of all Crafts. I have dipped my hands into quilting, machine sewing, embroidery, scrapbooking, jewelry making, the list goes on and on. I now love making blossoms. They are so girly and southern. I almost always have one in my hair; my daughters too.
What is your source of inspiration?
I would have to say my source of Inspiration is nature and all her beauty. And of course my girls, they are a couple of my biggest critiques.
What have you made recently?
My water lilies are actually a recent make, but they are a true example of nature inspiring creation. To make them I first handcut each layer of satin by hand from a pattern I hand-drawn. There are 8 layers to the original water lily. Once I handcut them then I heat set them by using a heat source. Once all layers are heat set I then layer them just right and then handsew on some beautiful glass faux pearls to the center.
They are so beautiful. I have recently made them in a smaller form, about half the size. I had a request by a bride in Hong Kong for a smaller one to be worn by her flowergirl. Loved them so much I had to make a listing in my shop for them.
My personal touch is the fact I make every part of it myself and I take pride in my work. Once my items are ready for shipment, I then package them in a Cherry Blossom baggie, wrap in tissue paper, then in kraft paper. I also tie the package up with pink/white twine, then I tuck in my shop card with coupon code and a gorgeous custom made 3D cherry blossom tag.
As to what stands out in my blossoms - my love for them! It shows.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I currently only sell my blossoms online in my shop on Etsy. I also hope to start listing in my new shop. I hope to begin selling in craft shows soon. I sell some children's jewelry and hair clips in a boutique out of Los Angeles, CA - LillianaLinWonderland - such an adorable boutique for artisans.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I would rather buy handmade because I understand the love that goes into making the items. Love goes into them. Time and patience goes into them. And I also know that someone like me is behind the item. That is the beauty in handmade.
Find Me
LocationNorth Dakota
Email Address
Jamie West
Personal Website
http://www.southerngraycedesign.etsy.com
Store Website
http://www.southerngraycedesign.etsy.com
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