What's In A Name - cooljewelrydesign

Hello and welcome back to our JET Team blog! In the first of a new occasional series, Pam of cooljewelrydesign tells us the story behind her Etsy shop name...

Every woman has a love of something ... mine was never shoes and bags, but always jewelry. Having worked in corporate America for what seemed like a million years, I was able to afford pretty much whatever caught my eye. Then in 1997 I was approached by a friend who sold a line of jewelry, manufactured in Texas and sold via home parties. I was torn ... did I *realllly* want to do THAT?

One night we'd had dinner together and when we drove back to where my car was parked, I'd somehow lost the key. So my friend drove me back to my home where I had a second key - in my jewelry box. We looked at each other. My fate had been sealed!

So Tammy became my jewelry "mom". And to my surprise at the first big meeting (really big), I won the drawing for a "free" full fall line of jewelry, and a chance to participate in a mega conference in Ft. Worth. When my name was called, well, I just took it in my stride. But I thought Tammy might need emergency medical attention as she became so very excited - her excitement is very contagious!

Later there were local meetings where everyone showed up wearing earrings, bracelets, necklaces from this line. OMG. And then I would show up wearing perhaps one piece from the line, but the other pieces I was wearing would be my own jewelry. Because my jewelry was cool. Like me!!! I cringed at these gatherings, because that jewelry simply was not me - honestly. So my Jersey girl self said "I can't do this anymore, it's just not me".

So then I began selling only sterling silver jewelry from handpicked vendors. When people asked what kind of jewelry I sold, I'd always reply without thinking "cool jewelry". I did this at home shows and a local gallery, and some consignment ... and then in 2006 I discovered Etsy. I became a power buyer and bought ALL kinds of jewelry. Why? I wanted to see if the photos represented the product. I came from a research and development background, so this seemed like a normal path to take.

One day the lightbulb flashed! Pam, you've done enough research, you can do this! A big discussion with myself brought about the conclusion that I should just jump in and make my own jewelry, so I did. And with more $$ than brains (back then), as I always say, I began buying components. I had NO IDEA, trust me, what I was buying, it's origin, zero. ZERO.

But the finished pieces looked cool and colorful, and there was a story going on - in my head of all places. And in January 2008 I followed my inner voice - I opened my etsy shop, and cooljewelrydesign was launched.

Here's the thing ... now I really do know what I'm buying. I purchase ingredients with intent and an eye for quality. I mix it up, and yes, I am still cool! And so is the JET Team. You will find what you're looking for among all the wonderful JET shops. We are all different, and that's the beauty - there WILL be jewelry that resonates with your inner voice.

We'd love to know how your Etsy shop got it's name too!
Pam