Featured Artist - Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry

Who are you? Marjorie Cunningham

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? http://marjoriescracked.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? jewelry, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, anklets, broken china, wire wrap, wire crochet, sea glass, shell

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Mostly women

What do you like about Etsy? I just joined it so am not too familiar with it. It seems like a friendly and reasonable place to sell products.


Where do you find inspiration for your products? I mostly find inspiration from the china itself. China has such a history to it and such beauty. Some china is hand painted by artist and is like a miniature piece of art. I usually do a bit of research on each piece of china that I use to find out when and where it was manufactured, whether it's hand painted and anything special about it. Plus I'm inspired by other jewelry designers that I've met.

What do you love about your business? I love being able to give new life to a broken piece of china. China holds such a special place in our lives. We attach memories and sentimental value to it. When a piece of china that we value has broken, we're heartbroken. I love being able to restore that china into a piece of jewelry that can be treasured for years to come. It's a very "green" business. I also create sea glass and shell jewelry, which, being from the Jersey Shore all my life, is right up my alley!


What is your favorite product right now? My wire crochet necklaces. I think the lacy look of the wire crochet beautifully complements the broken china pieces.

What makes you unique at Etsy? Most broken china jewelry designers use solder on the broken edges. Instead of solder, I file the edges completely smooth, varnish the edges and then wire wrap the piece. I think that technique lets me be much more creative in my designs. Plus I also wire crochet necklaces and bracelets, which isn't often done with broken china work.


What other street teams are you a member of? I'm in the process of joining EtsyVeg and EtsyForAnimals.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create? http://www.marjoriescracked.com & http://marjoriescracked.blogspot.com