by Joy Maloney of JoyfulHandKnits

Introducing Connie O'Dell Collinsworth

(aka NewHopeBeads and AtHisFeet ) AND a Giveaway!


Please take a moment to visit Connie's two shops and give her some love!

Connie is hosting a Giveaway: A glass tile pendant with scripture verse with a 22 inch silver plated chain. To be entered to win, please comment on this blog posting with your favorite item in one of her shops. The winner will be announced on next Wednesday's Featured Artist post.











Introduction: I am a full time accountant and part time jewelry artisan. I am Mom to one son and Grandma to my five year old granddaughter, who loves to craft.


My original shop on Etsy is New Hope Beads, where you will find my jewelry designs from chunky funky to sweet petite. Mostly I use gem stones, pearls, glass beads, sterling silver and other metals. My favorite pieces are those made from found objects such as beach glass or recycled leather from old belts. I love to use old jewelry like cuff links or huge earrings and turn them into pendants.


Helping to feed the hungry is my passion and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my jewelry goes to God’s Outreach Food Pantry, where I also do volunteer work.


I've made jewelry off and on for many years, but just for myself because what I made was rather "crude". About five years ago my desire to design got kicked into full gear when I bought a handmade bracelet overseas. As I studied that bracelet, I thought, "I can do that".



The internet provided so much information with tutorials and supplies that I just wanted to learn more. I made jewelry for about two years and gave a lot away and had my neighbors over like an open house. They actually bought some!!


How did you get your start on Etsy? I learned from the local TV station that I could put listings on their online classifieds, so I tried that. When I was looking at other listings there, I saw some that said "also listed on Etsy".


I had never heard of Etsy before. So, I checked into it and found a whole new world. Etsy really made me grow because I wasn't satisfied with my dark photos or my earlier designs. Then I was using a flat bed scanner to upload my images. I had to learn how to photograph jewelry and edit the pictures. I would see beautiful jewelry in other Etsy shops and wonder how they accomplished what they did. I still do that. I've learned so much about the different gemstones, as my son calls them, "the ite family".


Now, I am making my own ear wires from sterling silver wire. When I first started out, I was afraid to use sterling, but I've graduated. Some little items I love to make are the glass tile pendants with scripture on them. I offer a free chain when two or more are purchased.

Etsy has been such a blessing for me, not that I'm making a killing in sales, but I have more confidence in my craft. Etsy provides a showcase for my jewelry. My jewelry is now being sold in a gift shop in Monticello, KY and I do shows.

My other Etsy shop is At His Feet. I wanted to do something that reflected more of God in my work. I made greeting cards from photos I took in Israel and sold some photos, but out sourcing was not cost effective. I just got a new printer so I can print my own cards and photos and hope to get back into putting those items in that shop. Right now, I just have some destash in that shop just to keep it floating.


What does a typical day look like for you? A typical day for me is working full time, volunteering at a food bank one evening a week, church one week night plus twice on Sunday. The other evenings and Saturday I get to play in my craft room.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be? If I could be anywhere in the world for a day, it would be spending the day with my granddaughter and son on the Sea of Galilee.

What is your favorite Bible verse? My favorite Bible verse is I John 1:9 IF we confess our sins, then HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, AND (my favorite "and" in the Bible) HE will cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness. It's such a simple formula, so many people think that they have to get cleaned up first!!

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature? This bracelet reflects the eclectic style I love to design:



URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own dot.com, your blog, etc):

Please join me on facebook, where you can become a fan and enjoy a 10% discount on your purchases. http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/#!/pages/New-Hope-Beads/217302220569?ref=ts

Also on twitter http://twitter.com/newhopebeads






And the winner of Casey's giveaway by way of random.org is....... Drum Roll please....... Jessica and Jeremiah! Congratulations! Please work with Casey to redeem your prize!