Stay gold

In short order, 23-year-old LSU graduate student Emily Garrett has seen her modest Etsy-based jewelry business go global, shipping her handmade designs to buyers in Europe, Australia and Canada. Here she tells 225 about her creative small business.

It just came about because I really liked to create things, like gifts and art. I started making pieces for myself, and my friends liked them and said I should sell them. I found out about Etsy from word of mouth, and I really loved the site and its features.

When I can, most of my stuff comes from the U.S. I prefer domestic suppliers. All my gold wire comes from New Orleans.

Well, I was not expecting it to be as lucrative as it has become. International sales were a surprise. I was amazed the people from other countries were interested in my items.

The Geaux necklace is my favorite, because I think a lot of people can have a common idea around this one word, and it can have different meanings to different people. The tassel necklace is another one of my favorites.

I have had a request for a necklace in the shape of Africa. I prepared it and posted it on Etsy and before the original buyer could purchase it, another person ordered it. I have also had an order for Japan. My most popular states are Texas, Louisiana, California, Alabama and Georgia.

So far I have sold 315 items on Etsy and around 30 at parties. I’ve had orders from the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia, and Canada.

Etsy shows my shop stats, such as items that are most popular, how people find to my shop and what items they look at. Etsy is very user friendly and allows people to find items that are handmade. This feature allows customers who are really interested in handmade items to find things quickly. etsy.com/shop/loveandgold