Discover FriedaSophie

Hi. I'm Rebecca, the person behind the company Jay + Renae. I want to take a moment to introduce myself in case I haven't had the privilege of meeting you in person. It's been a whirlwind since Jay + Renae was launched just over a year ago. What began as an idle thought as I searched for ways to make my home based creative business more successful has evolved into the very company I had long fantasized about creating. I never thought it would really be possible, especially as a full time stay-at-home mom.  Of course these things never happen without the generous help of others. From the kind words of encouragement from family and friends, to the unexpected offer from a neighbor to host my very first trunk show, to the unsolicited sharing of trade secrets from a fellow designer...I have been privileged to have the assistance of those near and dear, and from those I have met along the way.

OOAK Vanilla Agate Geode Druzy Ring by Sandra Ducheneaux of Etsy Shop FriedaSophie  Today, I have the pleasure of introducing one of the very individuals who assisted me on my path. Meet our Featured Designer Sandra Ducheneaux, of Etsy Shop FriedaSophie. Not only is Sandra a talented jewelry designer and crafter, she is an incredible person and a dear friend. We met during a gem show where I had the privilege of watching Sandra work, diligently and systematically shifting through a mountain of gem trays in search of that perfect stone for her next One-Of-A-Kind creation. It was clear from a mere glance at our individual gem trays that I was a complete newbie, and she was a seasoned vet. She invited me to tea, took me under her wing, and without hesitation divulged every single one of her trade secrets.  Unique Peach Aragonite Mineral Gemstone Necklace by Sandra Ducheneaux of FriedaSophie There are encounters that can significantly shape the outcome of our lives, often in ways we don't expect. It's no exaggeration to say that my chance meeting with Sandra helped shape the very foundation of Jay + Renae and gave me the extra incentive to make my dream a reality. So meet Sandra, and discover her shop FriedaSophie, a perennial Etsy favorite since she opened it's virtual doors in 2009.  How did you get into jewelry designing? I was days away from completing my training as an acupuncturist when I fell severely ill with a heart condition. I was bedridden and physically unable to continue with my training. To entertain myself while I was on bed rest, I made myself a pair of earrings. Then while out for some fresh air, a store owner noticed them and asked me if I could make a dozen of them. They sold out within 1 month and a friend mentioned that I should open an Etsy store. The following week I signed up and named my shop FriedaSophie after my late grandmother. After just 3 months my shop became my full time business. Looking back, I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found jewelry crafting when I did. I have always done artwork since I was a child but never thought that I could support myself as an artist. It has been a joyful time since I opened FriedaSophie in 2009. FriedaSophie is a true Etsy success story and your work has been highlighted by Etsy many time. What do you think distinguishes your work from your peers?  My focus has always been on quality and uniqueness. I'm very detail oriented and I'm constantly creating new pieces so that I can offer new designs all year round. So I think my One-Of-A-Kind and Limited Edition collections are what really distinguishes my work from others. I also believe in offering my best work at reasonable prices...I set my pieces at a price that I would want to pay for them.   Your Collection has a wonderful raw beauty to it. How do you find your stones?  I make a trip to the desert for the yearly gem show to meet miners from all over the world. It can be an overwhelming experience but I like being there to discover new treasures and to handpick each of my stones...it's the best way to ensure quality and uniqueness. But I also like meeting the people who mine the stones and get to know their stories. Knowing that I'm helping to support their family businesses and ensuring eco friendly practices adds a deeper level of meaning to the stones I carry back home with me. I hope that comes through in each of the pieces I create.                                                                                Sanda Ducheneaux Moroccan Blue Turquoise Earrings Hand forged by Sandra Ducheneaux of FriedaSophie I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such incredible and talented women like Sandra. The open sharing and trust within our community has helped make Jay + Renae possible and gives special meaning to these collaborations. On a more personal level, being in such great company has helped me flourish as a jewelry designer and inspires me to do better and be more to ensure Jay + Renae's success. Thanks for taking this journey with me.                                                                                                               Rebecca

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It's true that nothing great is ever accomplished alone. I met Rebecca at her very first trunk show. It was hosted by a personal friend of mine who also happended to be Rebecca's neighbor. It's incredible how a series of small events and the desire to lend a helping hand can be so powerful. I joined Jay + Renae because there is something fantastic about being part of something that truly gets better and better as more women get involved.

We're really looking forward to receiving Sandra's collection in the next few days! The pieces are stunning in pictures which means that they will be even more beautiful in person. I personally love learning a bit about Sandra's history because it adds a whole new dimension to her work. They're not just rings or necklaces, but a beautiful token of a much larger story...now to be cherished as part of your own personal story! Let's view Sandra's collection together. Email us and book your own private party! Remember that you get up to 40% off all the collections at your private trunk show.  And as a reminder, we are extending Alana Little's feature into the month of April. So if you love her collection but haven't booked your trunk show yet, here's your chance! I will have her collection along with Sandra's until the end of April. So contact us today at info at JayAndRenae dot com. We're looking forward to sharing the latest from all the collections with you!

A Wonderful Collaboration

Jay + Renae is a brand new company. We know we have tons to learn and lots to improve upon to deserve your attention and loyalty. And we take that job seriously. We are constantly working to measure up to the standards we've set for ourselves and work to make sure we are on target with our mission to help women and mothers find success in their creative businesses. So we are very happy to announce a brand new aspect of Jay + Renae! Starting this month, we are collaborating with women designers on Etsy - the site that has taken the concept of handmade to a whole new level. Each month we are featuring the work of one to three designers whose philosphopy and work reflect our core values  - original, heartfelt, fun and of course, high quality handmade craftsmanship.

Alana Little (left) with her amazing assistant Risa of Etsy Shop MakePieNotWar Meet our featured designer of the month, Alana Little of Etsy Shop MakePieNotWar. Alana creates a fresh collection of hand forged and hand stamped jewelry that add a wonderful dose of sophisticated whimsy to your day. She specializes in custom work, personalizing anything from dainty rings to bold necklaces that bear your astrological sign. Alana is a busy mom like so many of us, balancing a creative self-made business and a family life with a three year old! We caught up with her for a quick moment to ask her a few questions about taking that proverbial leap of faith and the reason behind MakePieNotWar. Whimsical, modern, and thoroughly handmade by Alana Little of MakePieNotWar What was the toughest thing about giving up the corporate world and going into business for yourself?  The toughest thing for me was not having that steady stream of income! You just have to take that leap of faith and have a good backup plan. But I also come from a long line of self-employed determined individuals, so becoming an entrepreneur was a natural evolution for me.  What motivates you when things get really tough? What motivates me everyday is the idea that Failure is NOT an option.  When I had my baby, Lucy, 3 years ago, that became my mantra. I was determined to work harder and smarter to grow and continue making MPNW a success.  What was the motivation behind naming your company MakePieNotWar?  My best friend and I came up with this name late one night. I love the smile people get when they see something that I've made. I know that crafts won't solve the world's problems, but we can add joy by creating something that makes someone smile! How does it relate to your work/designs? I definitely have a whimsical way about minimalistic jewelry.  I personally have a free spirit as the name suggests and I think it comes through in my company, from our hand stamped tissue paper, a custom carved stamp, to my crazy cat lady ring!                                                                                                             Alana Little Hand forged and hand stamped...personalized just for you by Alana Little of MakePieNotWar There are many reasons why we’re so excited about collaborating with Etsy shop owners like Alana Little. We love introducing new designers and making their work available to you for your own private viewing. We enjoy growing our Collective to include a more diverse body of work. But best of all, we love that it gives us the perfect opportunity to expand our reach and support a greater number of women who share our goals. We’re proud to say that this is what Jay + Renae is all about. We think this keeps us in step with our company mission. We hope you agree.  Like Us! JayAndRenae.com Contact Us Pinterest Look out for our next post detailing our first ever giveaway! It's our way of kicking off our collaboration with Etsy Shop MakePieNotWar. Hope you win!