Continuing our feature of the winner for each month’s Team Treasury Challenge, here is our second interview: held with Jennifer from ClayBouquetShop! (Jennifer’s winning treasury for October can be seen here. To vote on November’s treasury challenge see this post!)
How did you start your shop?
I didn’t know it at the time, but preparing for our DIY wedding laid the groundwork for my Etsy shop. I didn’t seriously consider continuing the creative work I was doing until after being strongly encouraged by every one of our wedding vendors to create bouquets and accessories for other brides! I started creating items for my shop the day after we arrived home from our honeymoon. : )
How did you come up with your shop name?
Since I made the wedding bouquets and boutonnieres out of clay flowers, and I thought that the shop would be comprised mainly of those creations, I named it “Clay Bouquet Shop.” Little did I know that it would grow to include brooch, beaded and feather bouquets, sashes, hair accessories, and jewelry. : )
Tell us about some of your favourite items in the shop.
I love to make clay bouquets, but have to limit the number of contracts I take on due to the time it takes to make the flowers by hand after my full time job. My husband brags about them to others whenever given the chance, which I find quite funny as he protested quite vehemently (for months) when I told him I didn’t want to carry fresh flowers. He finally changed his mind when he saw them arranged, the weekend before our wedding. And he’s even commented that the fresh bridal bouquets he has seen at recent weddings don’t look as good as the ones I make, as they tend to be a bit wilted by the time wedding party pictures are taken.
I also love the brooch bouquets that I have designed for brides…and if we ever renew our vows (which he brings up all the time…and we just celebrated our 3rd anniversary : ) I’m making one for myself!
And I have a few favorite sets…
The Amanda, bridal sash, headband, and earrings:
The Colette, bridal sash, headband, bracelet, and earrings:
What inspires you?
The brides I work with, one on one…their themes and details provide a framework for their bouquets. : )
What is your favorite wedding trend (now or past)?
I really enjoy seeing weddings that incorporate the bride and groom’s passions and favorite things. It becomes less of a traditional cookie-cutter wedding and more of a unique celebration of the couple’s lives coming together.
Given the opportunity, which celebrity would you like to see wearing your designs?
I am tickled pink whenever I see photos of brides wearing or carrying my creations, so I would love if any public figure wore or carried anything I made for them!
The Vivian, crystal headpiece and earrings:
What is your unicorn – that is, what is an object or skill that has eluded you so far?
If time is an object…I wish I had enough time to fill my current orders, maintain my life/home/business and to accept last minute orders. I’ve had to turn away a number of brides this year due to my busy production schedule, and wish that I could help every bride that contacts me. (I’m currently booked through March of 2013 for bouquets.)
What do you think the future holds for you / your shop?
We’re moving early next year, and my plan is to have a devoted room for my shop…and I look forward to be able to display my creations and have a bright, spacious room to work in!
