How long have you been making jewelry?
What kinds of materials do you use? Where do you get them?
Do you do this full time?
Why does it take so long for you to process my order?
I want to learn to make jewelry - where can I do that?
Can you custom-make something for me?
Where can I see your jewelry in person?
What other things do you make?
Who built your website?
Where is [specific piece]? I can't find it on the website.
What is a "sunshower"? Why did you choose that name for your jewelry?
Why are all your pieces in limited quantities?
What does this mean: Due to availability of materials, certain aspects of the piece may be slightly different than pictured. You will be notified prior to shipping if your piece will be different.?

How long have you been making jewelry?
I started in the spring of 2008, but I've been pretty creative and crafty for most of my life which is why I think it came pretty easily to me. I also love to shop and browse boutiqes for artisan products so this is probably something that was bound to happen.

What kinds of materials do you use? Where do you get them?
I use base metal, sterling silver and 14k gold-filled chains and findings. The stones I use are semi-precious stones, though I do also have glass stones and crystals. If I find a really cool shell, bone, or wood piece I'll use that too. I shop at independent bead stores in Portland like Dava Bead and Trade and Let It Bead. I also order online from Metalliferous which is based in New York City.

Do you do this full time?
I really wish I could, but as this is a new business I can only start this up as a side to my full-time gig as a poor graduate student. Though if this were to take off, I might not be opposed to running with it!

Why does it take so long for you to process my order?
I make each piece to order. My schedule is sometimes hectic and unpredictable, other times very flexible (such is the life of a graduate student), so it really depends on what I have going on each week. You can expect to receive your jewelry within about 7 days of your order, though. :)

I want to learn to make jewelry - where can I do that?
There are several ways you can do this. I taught myself, so if you're ambitious and good with your fingers (and want to take out your favorite earrings and study them to see how they were made), I'd say go out and get some findings and experiment away. Many craft and bead stores do offer classes as well, at a reasonable fee plus cost of materials. Do some Googling in your area - you're sure to find something!

Can you custom-make something for me?
This will depend on my schedule and demand, as well as feasibility for me to get the supplies needed. If you see a specific piece and wonder if you could get it in a different color, like gold vs. silver, or a pink stone vs. a blue stone, it's likely that I'd be able to do it. If you're wanting something completely unique that is styled toward your taste and personality, it might take a bit longer to churn out. It wouldn't hurt to send me an email though.

Where can I see your jewelry in person?
As business gets off the ground I will be doing craft fairs and trunk shows, which you can find out about on the events page. If you know me personally or through a friend, just let me know you're interested and I'll try to schedule a date with you.

What other things do you make?
I have a line of handmade greeting cards called Pink Pomelo Designs that is currently on hiatus. A girl can only have so many crafty businesses at a time! Aside from that, as a hobby I also recently taught myself to knit, and I've done my own web design for almost 10 years. Which leads to the next question...

Who built your website?
I did. I've been writing html and doing graphic design since the summer of 1999 and although I have made websites for a few other people, I mostly keep it on a personal level.

Where is [specific piece]? I can't find it on the website.
Due to the season, as well as availability of materials, I can't always make pieces that I've made in the past. So, buy it while it's hot! :p Or, email me, try to describe it, and I'll see if I can make it for you.

What is a "sunshower"? Why did you choose that name for your jewelry?
A sunshower is a light rain shower while the sun is out. (Though in my past I have observed heavy rain showers while the sun is out as well.) I chose this name because sunshowers are unique and delicate, and the lines of my jewelry recall the lines created by rain. Interestingly, since I've moved to Portland I have observed far more sunshowers than ever before.

Why are all your pieces in limited quantities?
Because each piece is handmade with materials that are available in the local market, I've got a limited supply of components to work with. Besides, if I kept creating multiples of the same piece, how and when would I ever make new pieces? :)

What does this mean: Due to availability of materials, certain aspects of the piece may be slightly different than pictured. You will be notified prior to shipping if your piece will be different.?
Well, the unfortunate reality in the semi-precious stone market is that one day there might be a whole binful of a particular piece, or a whole reel of a particular chain, and then a week or two later, they are gone and never restocked. Because I'm not at the point of buying supplies wholesale, there is always a chance that I will run out of a certain piece at home, and when I go back to the store, it's nowhere to be found! If I can find a suitable alternative, I will use it. If not, I retire the piece. You will always have a choice about whether or not you still want the jewelry if I need to replace a pictured component. If you decide that you don't want it, I will gladly refund your money. :)

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