Weekly Featured Artist -Tracey of Ginger Kitty Designs

Thank you to Tracey of the gorgeous etsy shop Ginger Kitty Designs for being this weeks Featured Artist. I 'met' Tracey through my etsy street team Fabulous Artistic Moms and have fallen in love with many of the items in her shop.... in particular her great wine charm sets that I have got my eye on..... Tracey also hand-makes and sells earrings, bookmarks, necklaces and bracelets - head to her shop and have a look around!!

Tell us all about yourself and your craft?
My name is Tracey Barker, I am 40 years old and a proud mother of 2 beautiful boys. I work in finance during the day and I design my jewelry at night.
I design necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bookmarks and wine charms. I handcraft all of the items in my store and I can customized most of the pieces to suit the buyer (different bead colors, charms or findings, etc.)

How long have you been creating your craft?
I am fairly new to designing and to Etsy! I started designing jewelry as a way to thank loved ones and little gifts for my boys teachers - in a handmade way. I was told that they loved my creations and that they would love to buy more - so I recently opened my Etsy store.


What is one of the biggest lesson you have learnt about your craft & selling it?
Well, two lessons actually.
~ What I like is not always what others like. I have tried hard to "step out of my comfort zone" and make pieces that others will really enjoy.
~ Patience - We live in a "fast food" society and we all tend to want instant gratification. Unfortunately, when starting a new business, it is not always instant. I have learned to pace myself and have faith that my store will do well.

Which of your items did you have the most fun creating & why?
For my store, I really enjoying creating the bookmarks with all different charms. I have always been an avid reader and love bookmarks!
On a personal level, I enjoyed making my mother a special bracelet. She was diagnosed with breast cancer around the holidays this year and it meant alot to me to be able to make her a special bracelet, just from me to her.


Is there a basic 'household' item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual 'tool'? Well, it is not really a household item but my children's hands! Sometimes I need an extra set of hands when finishing off a piece and I ask them to "hold this here, put that there" - they love being part of it.

What is your favourite candy bar & why?
My favorite candy bar is an 100 Grand Bar. Crunchy, chocolatey and gooey...yum - what's not to love?


If money, responsibilities, and time were no issues where in the great wide world would you go & why?
Anywhere tropical! My family loves the outdoors, swimming, beaches, shell collecting, etc. So I would love to go anywhere tropical and enjoy the warm weather! (As I am writing this it is snowing again here in Rhode Island!)