Jentik Manis | Featured Shop of the Week

This week I would like to introduce you to Ika from Jentik Manis!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Ika. I'm originally from Indonesia. But, my shop and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I'm a software engineer by day and beader by night (also on weekends and public holidays... har..har..har...)

Meet the beautiful Ika - owver of Jentik Manis

What made you want to start Jentik Manis

I was feeling depressed in 2013 but I had no idea why. As time goes on, I realised that I had no life outside of work. So, I gave knitting and crocheting a try. Then, quickly I decided that they're definitely not for me. After that, I got a few strands of glass pearls to make a bracelet ...and oh boy, I became addicted to it and just couldn't stop making more. I got more beads, books and did online research for resources. Before I know it, beads were taking over my room and I made more jewellery than what I could keep. So, I started my Etsy shop in November 2014.

Where did the idea for the name Jentik Manis come from

Jentik Manis is an Indonesian sweet mostly popular in Java Island usually found in traditional market and road side food. It is pudding with sago scattered through it, like beads scattered in a little box. Jentik manis is my favourite sweet. Most importantly, the name reminds me of home.

Tell us about the products you sell and your processes

I love flowers and carnival. Most of my jewellery is floral inspired or has bright colours. I recently got engaged to the love of my life (yay!) so, I started to make wedding jewellery too.

I design my jewellery by deciding the focal part first. After, I know which focal beads/ parts I want, then I design around it by drawing a simple sketch. I suck at drawing so I opt for a simple sketch and work with lining up beads on my bead board. This allows me to get a feelings of what the finished piece will look like.

I got the woman sketch figure from "The Beader's Guide to Jewelry Design" by Margie Deeb. I highly recommend this book to all beaders and non beaders who love to mix and match their clothing and jewellery. This book discusses colour harmony, shapes, relationship between jewellery and the body, etc.

What is the most useful piece of advice you have been given in regards to Jentik Manis

I've received alot of useful advice. But, if I have to choose one, I'd have to choose "Don't wait until the perfect idea fall from the sky. If you have an idea, just do it!" This was the force that made me opened up my Etsy shop. My shop is nowhere near perfect. Frankly speaking, I'm embarrassed with some of the pictures and item descriptions. Though, it is not perfect, I got my first customer last December, which was amazing! I was greatly encouraged by it and boosted my self confidence. Someone somewhere liked my work enough to give money for it. If I hadn't opened up the shop, I would have never experienced this. So, don't wait up, you won't know until you try! :)  

What do you love most about Jentik Manis

I must say that I love the creative part of it. I love to design jewellery, how different colours combines into different feelings. For example, brown, honey, dark orange, green and red feels like autumn; whereas bright colours feels like summer/ cheerfulness. I also love designing custom made jewellery. I enjoy exploring people's personalities and translating them into a piece of jewellery.

Tell us where we can find out more about you and Jentik Manis

You can find me here:

Etsy: etsy.com/au/shop/jentikmanis

Instagram: @jentikmanis

Sign up to the Jentik Manis newsletter for a chance to win a surprise mother's day bracelet! http://eepurl.com/-uLpj

xx

Previous Featured Shops

Little Miss Lorraine

Pea Green Sea

Two Cheeky Monkeys

Made by Joni

If you would like your shop to be featured on A Little Bit of Jess, flick me an email me at alittlebitofjess04@gmail.com and I will be in contact with you!

 

Pea Green Sea | Featured Shop of the Week

Welcome to the first official Featured shop of the week. This week I would like to introduce you to Susan from Pea Green Sea. Susan has been a great help to me in settling into the Etsy Australia community so I was delighted to receive an email response from her about being featured on A Little Bit of Jess.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, I am Susan. I was raised in the small country town of Gunnedah, in North Western NSW, where crafting was a big part of our lives. Other than working overtime as a mum and wife, I also work as a part-time Podiatrist as well as the owner of a small handmade business called Pea Green Sea. So I fix up ingrown toenails by day, and turn beautiful vintage silk sarees into scarves by night. Quite the unusual combination.

The gorgeous Susan from Pea Green Sea

What made you want to start Pea Green Sea

I started my shop as a bit of a personal challenge. I have been crafty all my life, and I particularly love to sew. I take after my lovely Mum who is a chronic crafter and taught me to sew. I guess I wanted to see if I could earn some income from home, by doing something that I love to do.

Where did the idea for the name Pea Green Sea come from

The name" Pea Green Sea" was inspired by the poem "The Owl and the Pussy cat". This is one of my favourites and I love the whimsical atmosphere and the imagery it creates. I also wanted a business name to stand out and be recognised which can be a problem on such a large platform such as Etsy. If I ever open a homeware shop, it will be called "The Runcible Spoon".

Tell us about the products you sell and your processes

I primarily make and sell infinity scarves using the fabric from vintage silk recycled sarees which I source from a variety of suppliers in India. I like the design of the infinity scarf...no loose ends!  The silk is very light weight, so the scarves are easy and comfortable to wear in any season, and they look amazing anyone. They can also be worn equally with a casual day outfit, or as a unique addition to elegant after 5 evening wear. They also make great gifts to send to family and friends as they are light and easy to post.

What is the most useful piece of advice you have been given in regards to Pea Green Sea

The most useful tip I have been given about my shop is provide exemplary customer service. I ensure that all inquiries are personally attended to promptly, and I go to lengths to make sure my customers know I greatly appreciated their business. I have found that providing excellent service has resulted in many return customers.

What do you love most about Pea Green Sea

I love my shop because it allows me to have a  creative outlet, and provides some much needed balance in my life. I get enormous joy when someone chooses to purchase one of my scarves. You can be sure I am doing a little happy dance whenever I see an new order pop up.

Tell us where we can find out more about you and Pea Green Sea

You can find me here:

Etsy: etsy.com/au/shop/PeaGreenSea

Facebook: facebook.com/PeaGreenSea 

Instagram: @pea_green_sea

Previous Featured Shops
Little Miss Lorraine

If you would like your shop to be featured on A Little Bit of Jess, flick me an email me at alittlebitofjess04@gmail.com and I will be in contact with you!

xx

 

Little Miss Lorraine | Featured Shop of the Week

As of next week I will be starting an exciting new series on the blog showcasing the amazing local Australian talent of handmade and vintage shop owners. These small businesses can often be looked over for cheaper, more commercial goods. From experience, the quality of the goods and the customer service you receive from these small businesses far exceeds that of the larger department stores.

Each Wednesday I will be showcasing a new shop for you on the blog. I encourage you to read their stories and have a look at what they are offering. Support your local!

To start off the series, I thought I would let you in behind the scenes of my own Etsy store, Little Miss Lorraine.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hi there my name is Jess! I am a 20 something lover of beauty, craft, interior design & DIY. I am also a keen but by no means experienced Yogi. I have a wonderfully supportive boyfriend and together we live with our beautiful (and noisy!!) rainbow lorikeet Opal.

What made you want to start your shop
I love the satisfaction that comes from making your own things. I also love making things for other people which is why I started Little Miss Lorraine! A little hobby of mine to share some of my makes with other people.

Where did the idea for the name of your shop come from
My shop name "Little Miss Lorraine" is based on...me! I am only 5"1 and often get referred to (not by choice!) as "little Jess".  I am a Miss (for now!) and Lorraine is my middle name which I share with one of my Grandmothers.

Tell us about the products you sell and your processes
Little Miss Lorraine is a combination of vintage wares, handmade home decor and paper goods. Our vintage wares are in very good condition and have been sourced from loving homes. All of our sewn goods are sewn on my Grandmothers sewing machine, something she handed down to me before moving into a retirement village. Every single card and gift tag is handmade and a lot of thought goes into the final product.

A look behind the scenes!

What is the most useful piece of advice you have been given in regards to your shop
Don't let your shop get too much for you! If you become too stressed out over the amount of sales you have, filling your shop with stock and dealing with customer enquiries, you will end up resenting the very thing you love doing! 

What do you love most about your shop
I love the connections and opportunities my shop has opened for me. Connecting with other Australian Etsy & small business shop owners has been such a great learning experience, and I will definitely be continuing these relationships as time goes on. 

Tell us where we can find out more about you & your shop
You can find Little Miss Lorraine here:

Etsy: etsy.com/au/shop/littlemisslorraine
Facebook: facebook.com/littlemisslorraine
Instagram: @littlemisslorraine

xx