April is offering a promo code to my readers, so make sure to check it out after her interview. I love the source of her inspiration, plus she has the sassiest shop owner photo yet!
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Tell me a little bit about yourself!
My name is April. I currently live in Long Beach, but am originally from around Washington. I grew up in the forest and much of my inspiration comes from nature. Growing up out in the boondocks without many other kids around also allowed and forced me to be creative and use my imagination. From that I have grown up as a person who loves to create and make new and different things.
Where did the name of your store come from?
My store name has several different roots. Probably the easiest source to cite is my name is April Dawn, and I come from a state that is fairly known for being rainy. I was also born on a rainy dawn morning in the month of April. It also happens to be one of my favorite times when the rain feeds the new growth of seedlings popping up through the forest floor each spring and the fog has yet to lift in the mornings. I was lucky enough to grow up in a place where I was used to seeing deer with their fawns in our yard and garden on a regular basis especially during the early morning hours of spring.
Why did you start making goods for Rainy Dawn in April?
I have been making jewelry for about 7 years. My style has kept on evolving as I have taught myself new techniques and tried out new designs.
What is your favorite item?
I think my resin and photo pieces are my favorite. These items are totally unique. Many featuring my own photography from different natural places and adventures I can tell a story for each one. I have pieces that have photos that I have taken during hikes in places like Yosemite and Zion. Others I took closer to home like a popular photo of a bird on a wire that I saw from my bed outside my window.
What is your most popular item?
My flower and feather hair clips are probably my most popular item. They are an item that created by just playing with feathers and resin pieces one day and seeing what I could create. I wore the first hair clip I made out shopping and had several people stop and compliment and ask where I bought it so I just started making a bunch and coming up with a lot of different feather and color combinations.
Where do you get the inspiration for your work?
As you can probably tell nature is an ongoing theme of inspiration in my life. Living in Southern CA, can sometimes overwhelm a girl from the Evergreen state. I find peace when I surround myself and immerse myself in the natural world, and even in the city, I notice that I pay quite a bit more attention than others to the trees, birds and squirrels that inhabit this urban landscape. My favorite activities all take place in nature, if that is hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, photography, they all bring me back
What makes your store unique?
Since I make my jewelry as a side project, I don't use it to make a living off of just as supplemental income. Instead I just make what inspires and interests me, and I keep my prices fairly low so that my jewelry is affordable to most everyone.
What is the hardest thing about making your goods?
Sometimes it is just about finding the time to finish the many already started projects. I work for a local non-profit as their Director of Education and Outreach so many times I am working on my community projects for hours on end and not really left with much time to work on my jewelry.
Do you take custom orders?
I do, I have made on several occasions specialized pieces for weddings and other special occasions. I usually require one month for these pieces. This allows me to find the perfect stones, pearls, and other supplies to fulfill the customers wishes at a reasonable cost. If it can be made out of stock on hand or is just a modification of a piece that I have already made, this time allotment can be cut down quite a bit.
When is the last day I can order in time for Christmas Day?
December 21.
Where can I see more of your work and buy a gift?
Etsy: www.etsy.com/rainydawninapril
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rainydawninapril
Also, I will be at Long Beach Art Walk 5 - 10pm on the 2nd Saturday of the month
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Did you spy the earrings I bought above? Yes, I'm a total sucker for industrial, steam-punk, vintage-inspired stuff. Anyways, she has sooo many different styles that you are sure to find the perfect one for you!
As promised, use the promo code HOLIDAY2013 to receive free shipping! Also, as a bonus, everyone who makes a purchase will get a coupon for 20% off their next purchase. What's not to love about that?
Happy shopping!
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