Twisted Tree Occasions - New Shop Spotlight

I recently spent some time chatting with Jessica Morsillo from Twisted Tree Occasions.  Her shop just opened this June and offers gorgeous custom tags and confetti.

I love the handmade, but sophisticated feeling to Jessica's items.  Here is our Q & A -

Why did you decide to start your shop?
I decided to start my shop to separate items from my other shop (Twisted Tree Supplies).  I am recently married and made everything for my wedding including the invitations.  I have also been in several weddings since then.  I started adding the special occasion items to my other shop just to see how well they sold.  I ended up adding so many items that I decided to open this second shop.  I really enjoy designing all of the tags to make someone's special day even better!

What does your shop name mean to you?
My shop name came from a picture that I took several years ago.  I have always loved trees and taking pictures of trees.  On a walk one day, I came across this beautiful tree that appeared twisted. I took a picture of it with the sun shining through.  It is one of my favorite pictures.

How are you inspired to create your products?
I am inspired by everything and anything!  I keep a sketch book on my desk to jot down ideas as they pop up.  Sometimes I have customers who inspire me by just giving me a basic idea of what they would like.  Pinterest is also a very useful inspiration when I am feeling uninspired.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
Currently the wedding heart confetti is my favorite item in my shop.  The ones that you see in the first picture were actually used at my bridal shower.  They are just so simple and elegant.

What makes your shop unique?
My shop is unique because everything is able to be customized.  You can change the colors, sizes, shapes, or the wording.  I am very flexible and want the items to be perfect for your special occasion. My shop is also unique because it features some of my own hand drawn images for the tags that you will not find anywhere else.

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?
My favorite part of running my Etsy shop is designing new items!  I love when someone contacts me about making something brand new for them.  Designing is definitely the best part!

What has been the hardest obstacle in starting your shop?
The hardest obstacle in opening my new shop has been time management with my other shop.  I do this full time, and I mean full time.  I am sometimes answering customers at one or two in the morning.  Just finding the time to design, make, photograph, edit the pictures, and create the listing has been a challenge.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?
The biggest lesson that I have learned from opening my shop is that I am making things for other people and not for myself.  It is easy to create things that I like but that does not mean that other people will like it or want to buy it.  While it is important to "brand" yourself and create a style, it is even more important in a business sense to create things that people will want to buy.

Jessica's shop is adorable, modern, and brilliantly minimalistic.  If you have a wedding or baby in your future, be sure to check her out at Twisted Tree Occasions on Etsy.


Images used with permission from Jessica and Twisted Tree Occasions.

Precious Skin Elixirs - New Shop Spotlight

This months "New Shop Spotlight" features Marissa from Precious Skin Elixirs. Marissa provides natural face and body products and offers a variety of masks, creams, serums, and cleansers. Her products are made in small batches and from the heart.

Let's hear what Marissa had to say about her shop...

Why did you decide to start Precious Skin Elixirs?
I started my shop after years of making my own skincare products and realizing there is a growing need for 100% natural, preservative free skincare solutions.

What does your shop name, Precious Skin Elixirs, means to you?
I worked with precious and semiprecious gemstones for years - many of my products bear the name of my favorite gems.  I believe the skin is extremely precious.  It's an organ, after all, and deserves much more respect than we give it by slathering on products with ingredients we can't pronounce and certainly would never put in our bodies!

How are you inspired to create your products?
Inspiration for my products comes from various sources.  Maybe a friend is having a particular skin issue and so I start thinking of oils and herbs that would be helpful.  That's actually how the "Garnet" honey scrub was created.  Nature is a constant source of inspiration.  There are so many solutions in nature - nothing we need to chemically alter or synthesize.  The gift of well being is all around us...and that's pretty cool.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
It's difficult to choose a favorite product, but my life saver is the 24 karat gold cream.  I live in New England and winter is so harsh on the skin!  Even my little ones avoided chapped faces and hands with this cream!

What is your favorite part about running an Etsy shop?
My favorite part is fulfilling an order - from making the products to packaging it up in pretty wrapping.  I imagine sending out healing and love to my customers.  I try to do everything this way - with love, gratitude, and intention.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from starting your shop?
Patience and trusting that if I create with honesty and integrity that the buyers will come and share my vision of supporting one's health through the use of natural products  And I mean ALL natural - not just the "97% natural" we sometimes see on the popular brands.

In speaking with Marissa, it is clear that she pours her heart and soul into her products.  Precious Skin Elixers has a wonderful selection of items for all people.  I especially love that the shop offers trial or travel sizes!

Follow the link to visit Marissa's shop - Precious Skin Elixirs


Images used with permission from Marissa and Precious Skin Elixirs