Monday, March 2, 2015

Box of Pearls Review & Giveaway

I just love browsing Etsy, and by chance the other day I stumbled upon this beautiful little shop called Box of Pearls. Amanda Thompson, owner and operator, was kind enough to send me a little something to review. 

She's also giving a $25 gift certificate to Box of Pearls
to one of my lucky blog readers!

This delicate chevron stripe necklace was the first thing that caught my eye in Amanda's shop. 


The funniest thing happened to me while writing this blog post. My sister stopped by with a birthday present, this necklace! She found it using my Etsy favorites! I wore it all day Sunday and I couldn't love it more. It is the perfect color combination (silver chevron, gold chain), the perfect length (17 inches) to wear with everything, and simply stunning. I just can't believe the timing of this gift!

Box of Pearls has so many wonderful pieces. I believe these fun little personalized initial rings were what brought me there in the first place.


I love this dainty little bracelet. I sent Amanda a list of my favorites and asked her to surprise me and she sent this beauty. I wore it yesterday as well.


I have a very small wrist and it's very hard for me to find bracelets that work for me, which is probably why I have less than a handful. This bracelet fits just perfectly, and feels light as a feather! She didn't know it when she sent it, but the saying fits me perfectly. We've been talking to our 5 year old son a lot lately about the golden rule. The bracelet is a good reminder for me to follow by example.

The craftsmanship of Amanda's jewelry is impeccable. I will most definitely be visiting Box of Pearls again soon for gifts and staple pieces. I think the value is exceptional for such high quality, handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

I asked Amanda to answer a few questions, here's what she had to say:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself
A: I’m proof that life can steer you in an unexpected direction.  With a degree in Exercise Physiology, I somehow ended up working as a restaurant and catering manager for almost ten years and a personal trainer for about four years. Then, after marrying and becoming pregnant, my husband and I decided that me staying home with our little girl was the best decision. So, as most busy bodies do, I found a way to keep productive by developing my jewelry-making hobby into a legit business.  It's a juggle, but I wouldn't want it any other way!  
 Q: When did you start making jewelry?
A: I started making jewelry in 2004 as a hobby, for my friends, my family, and myself. It soon developed into monthly showings at local art galleries around town.  My style was completely different from what it is today. Lots of color and beads :)

Q: Do you have a favorite or special piece of jewelry you wear often?
A:  I find that I have a bit of jewelry A.D.D.  I generally wear more simple, everyday pieces, but because I'm constantly looking to try new designs, I often want to change out my pieces.  I generally commit to jewelry for a week or two, then want something new, ha! My general style is layered delicate necklaces, stacked bracelets, with beads, chain, and shaped wire. I love dangly earrings with colorful stones and movement to them.

Q: What inspires you?
A: I’m inspired by people who make a profession out of the craft or service that they enjoy.  It takes a lot of patience, vision, and determination to work toward a profession that highlights who you are.  I love that art and business can collide to allow people to create and be a legitimate source of income. In college, I remember feeling like I had to pick an available profession from the list provided. It’s not always easy to find that “thing” to base your entire education on, and from which to build a life long career. It’s a bit premature, as a teen or early twenty something to be that focused and clear.
Q: Any advice for new Etsy sellers?
A: It took me a couple of years to understand that selling on Etsy takes real commitment. Customers have to be lead to your shop; they don't just come because you have a presence. You have to love your shop as if it’s your own home.  Be artistic with your photos, be clear and descriptive with your listing details, and be available to your customers.  Etsy is a platform for real creators. As a buyer you aren't dealing with a huge company, but most often, a single person/shop owner.  Remind your customers of that in how you respond to their questions, suggestions, order requests, and packaging.  They will appreciate knowing you are creating for them. 


Q: Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?
A:  I hope much like where I am today; being available for our daughter as she moves through life, while juggling a jewelry career that fits the into the mold of our lives.  I love the growth I'm experiencing, but because jewelry is a job I do from home, I will always have to manage my work vs. home time carefully.

So glad Amanda was able to find the time to share her story, and a $25 gift certificate with us!

Here's how you can enter to win:

1. Favorite Box of Pearls on Etsy

2. Follow Box of Pearls on Pinterest

3. Follow Amanda on Twitter

4. Follow Box of Pearls on Facebook

5. Share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook

1 entry will be received for each task completed, please leave separate comments below for each entry.

A winner will be chosen Thursday, March 12, 2015 at noon PST using random.org.
Open to residents of US and Canada, 18 years of age and older.
Winner will be announced here and contacted through email and have 3 days to reply before another winner is chosen.

In the mean time, please enjoy this free shipping code from Box of Pearls:

Best of luck! Be sure to click on the tab at the top of the page for more giveaways
& sign up for email for future promotions.

73 comments:

  1. Love the site and happy to find a new blog
    Kristin aka/mini2z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Be sure to follow Box of Pearls on Pinterest, Etsy, Twitter or Facebook so you have a chance to win! (Leave a comment here)

      Delete
  2. I added the store to my Etsy favorites! This is going to be dangerous...all of her jewelry is so cute!

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  3. Followed her on twitter! (_rachel1214)

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  4. And for good measure (and enabling) favorited her Etsy shop! Great interview, she has some really effing cute stuff.

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  5. And favorited on etsy. So much cute stuff!

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  6. I favorited the etsy shop as UpperLakeJewelry

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. following on pinterest as Marija (pinterest.com/bokononist)

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. following on twitter @mrsclutterbuck

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  9. Love that necklace! Favorited her shop. :)

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  10. I favorited her shop @ jedicuddler I really like that necklace and the Bar Earrings.

    erinpitts at rocketmail dot com

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  11. Following on twitter @tuchtuch

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  12. Following on Pinterest too! @hellorigby

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  13. Following on twitter: @meltoremember

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  14. Following on pinterest: @melbewell

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  15. I faved the shop on Etsy as houseofplush.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  16. I follow on Pinterest as Suzanne Gregg.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  17. I follow Amanda on Twitter @kiddomsg.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  18. I like her FB page as Suzanne Gregg.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  19. Thanks so much for introducing us to this wonderful shop and artisan. I favorited Amanda's shop on etsy. (I'm "wordygirl" there.)

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  20. I am following her on Pinterest.

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  21. I'm following Amanda on Twitter, where I am @wordygirl11.

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  22. I tweeted: https://twitter.com/wordygirl11/status/572927587401351169

    ReplyDelete
  23. shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/rachabake/status/572978047080636416

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  24. followed on pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/r2923/

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  25. following on twitter (rachabake)

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  26. I favorited her on Etsy as Foto Macro ( https://www.etsy.com/people/FotoMacro ).

    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow her via Pinterest as Tofu Fairy.
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow her via Twitter as MsTofuFairy.
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like her via FB as Angela A. Lilly.
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/573137759734538241
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Favorited on etsy as angheikens

    ReplyDelete
  32. Replies
    1. You won! Send an email with your address to moderntypography@aol.com

      Delete
  33. AND favorited on etsy! Love the jewelry in the shop!

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  34. favorited box of pearls on etsy as debbiek296

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  35. tweeted https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/573587102295683072

    ReplyDelete
  36. follow box of pearls on pinterest as suburbsanity

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  37. twitter follower as suburbsanity

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  38. liked on facebook as debbiekaye

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  39. Follow Box of Pearls on Pinterest
    \
    id: chevybelair1

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  40. Follow Box of Pearls on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  41. I added Box of Pearls to my etsy faves
    https://www.etsy.com/ca/people/jessing/favorites?type=shops&ref=pr_faveshops_more

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow Box of Pearls on Pinterest (knittinging)

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  43. Following Box of Pearls on FB: Rebecca Orr

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  44. I followed Box of Pearls on Facebook

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  45. I followed Box of Pearls on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  46. Followed Box of Pearls on Twitter (@collettebice)

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  47. following on pinterest (simonsays80)

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  48. Liked and following on facebook!

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  49. I favorite Box of Pearls on Etsy!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow Box of Pearls on Pinterest

    ReplyDelete