{Featured Artist} Modern Buttercup

Welcome to Featured Fridays on Snuggly Monkey! Each Friday we chat with a different Etsy artist and take a peek inside their Etsy world. This week we are checking out Modern Buttercup.

How did you come up with your shop name? 
I was inspired by a modern looking vase with a bouquet of buttercups in it. That's where the name Modern Buttercup came from.

How would you describe your work to someone who asked you “What do you sell/make/do?”
I make jewelry that you can wear casually or dress up with. My work is inspired by whimsical items, and modern quirks in life.

How did you get started making jewelry?
I've always liked making things, and opened my shop in March. I learned by experimenting with beads and wirework.


What is your favorite item to create? 
My favorite item to create are the ones that involve wirework and lots of beads.

What do you like about being a part of the Etsy community?
I love that its full of amazing crafters with great advice and willing to help you any time.

What aspects of your Etsy business do you find challenging? 
For me, the hardest things is getting my shop known. There is so many jewelry shops on Etsy, it's a challenge to be different and stand out. I'll probably work on SEO and good photos for my shop.

How do you advertise or promote your shop? 
I use Twitter,Pinterest, and my blog to promote my shop. I use Twitter and find it useful for sharing shop info to people who don't subscribe to my blog.


What do you do to encourage repeat/return customers?  
I send them coupon codes/ freebies.

What do you use for packaging materials and where do you get them? 
I use ribbon, tags and small jewelry boxes. I usually get my shop supplies locally, or I make my own. As for buying them locally or online, it depends. For cheaper stuff like ribbon, I shop locally. But for stuff I buy in bulk, like boxes, I buy online because in bulk things are cheaper.

Any photography tips to share? 
I photograph my items myself. It always helps to have steady, natural lighting and a good background. 

What else do you do to keep your shop looking great?
I make sure to have good photos and keep my profile and shop policies up to date. 

Are you a member of any teams? 
I'm a proud member of 21 Etsy teams. (yes, it's a lot) I like STATTEAM, Etsy Blog Team, and Etsy success team.the benefit of teams is that you can get good advice and give good advice. Make sure to be involved in the Etsy community! :)

As a fan of Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton, I've always enjoyed his final 10 questions that he asks all his guests. So, inspired by the questionaries of Mr. Lipton, Bernard Pivo (Lipton's inspiration) and Marcel Proust here are a few final questions for Modern Buttercup..


What is your favorite word? Quirky
What is your least favorite word? Fabulous
What sound or noise do you love? I love the sound of The Beach
What sound or noise do you hate? Water running from a faucet (when it's not being used- I hate wasting water)
If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be? Probably a water lily. I love the way they look, it's so pretty.
What natural gift would you most like to possess? The ability to read minds- that would be awesome!
What would you like to be when you grow up? A successful business owner.
What makes you smile? Cookies, cute comics, and beautiful Summer nights.

Thank you so much Modern Buttercup for giving us a peek into your shop world today! Be sure to keep in touch with Modern Buttercup!

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ModernButtercup
Blog: http://modernbuttercup.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/modernbuttercup
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/modernbuttercup