Maggie Whitley Designs

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{sponsor feature: Everyday Keepsakes}

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This giveaway is now closed.

Today’s sponsored feature & giveaway post is from Meredith of Everyday Keepsakes. Meredith designs beautiful jewelry keepsakes, and their “signature style of unique wax seal jewelry will set you apart from the crowd.” There’s a super generous giveaway at the end, too! xo.

My name is Meredith Fenwick and after leaving work after my first son was looking for a way to make an income while staying home. I found digital scrapbooking and fell in love and thought I’d give it a whirl. That was the beginning of my graphic design career. A few years later I had my second son and wanted to get away from the computer and do something with my hands. I always loved jewelry so decided to give that a go while still maintaining the graphic design career. I started with Swarovski and gemstone jewelry and after some time of selling on Etsy felt like I really wasn’t going anywhere with it. That is when I started to make my monogram pieces. The wax seal charm was not a new idea, but in my quest to make it my own as much as I could, I realized I could combine my graphic design abilities with the jewelry making and started designing all of my own stamps for my pendants. My first set was the Flirty Monogram pendant and that is still my bestseller and one of my favorites.

I started my business by making some jewelry pieces, photographing them and opening an Etsy store. I’m not much of a planner and could only sit on my hands for about a week before I started listing items. I already had a bit of a customer base from my scrapbooking business and those wonderful women were some of my first customers.

Every time I get an order I feel like I’ve accomplished something. When I get an amazing email or note from a customer, it just makes my day.

I have a few friends who are working on starting businesses right now and I LOVE that. I LOVE that women (and men too I guess) can be creative and just reach out to each other and start a business. I’d say my best piece of advice to give someone is to be confident in yourself. You will have good days and bad days and probably make mistakes, but it’s a learning process and will only build you up as a business owner.

My biggest struggle, as most independent business owners, is time management. With the internet and the way that marketing works now it’s hard to turn it off. I never really take a day off. I am always checking emails, working on ideas, that sort of thing. I am starting to learn to delegate but I am still a one-woman business and have a hard time figuring out how to hand off responsibilities to others as well as trusting that they would be able to do it as well as I would (since as it turns out I’m a bit of a control-freak about that).

Other people might be inspired by me because I am your average Mom. I help out with the school PTO sometimes, I hang out at the bus stop every morning with the neighbors, I go to Zumba three nights a week when I can, try to carve out time for my husband in all of the chaos and I am also building a business. If I can do it, you can do it. :]

Leave a comment below for a chance to win $50 shop credit!

Meredith is graciously offering one reader the chance to win $50 towards an item in her shop. Simply sign your name below and you’re entered.

♥ This giveaway will end in a few days; I’ll announce the winner here and email them directly.


Comments

  13. Maggie says

    ohmygosh I would love to win this one! I adore the little ladybug necklace! Ladybugs are a special thing for my aunt and me — our team for the 2011 Komen 3-Day is Team LADYBUG! <3

  20. Sydney S says

    I just recently went thru a miscarriage and decided a couple days ago that I was going to get a tattoo of the word “faith” because that’s what’s got me and my family thru this. The Faith Cluster Tag Necklace just brought tears to my eyes. I so want to use that lettering style now. Everyday Keepsakes is a beautiful shop!

  40. Meg says

    Thank you, Meredith, for your words of encouragement. As a new mom I sometimes wonder how I’ll ever ballence it all. It’s hard to find time to stay healthy, invest in relationships, spend time with God, and pursue my own interests. You make such beautiful jewelry! Keep up the good work.

  50. Nikki says

    I love the profile pendant. I have been wanting to do the profiles of all my family to hang on the wall.

  53. jamie g. says

    Such an inspiration! Makes me want to be that kind of woman… & such cute things! LOVE it!:)

  61. Jacalyn Anderson says

    I love hearing these kinds of stories. They are so inspiring to me. I guess I am one of those mom’s who is trying to start a business and find a balance!! Does the balance ever come?? Anyways, I love her style. Very inspiring.

  71. Jen says

    I love love love this giveaway… I already know how I’ll be spending my $50 ;-)

  72. Nadir@StitchSense says

    These are gorgeous & I’m loving the colors too! So unique! I hope I win :-) :-) :-)

  75. Andrea says

    I love how unique these items are, and especially love the piece with the two birds on it.

  86. Natasha says

    I love the Faith necklace with the cross charm- just beautiful! All her work is amazing!!! Would love to own a piece!!!

  89. Katie P. says

    I love the jewerly! It is so pretty!! :) oh, and thanks for the giveaway GUSSY!

  96. Sara says

    My goodness. The one that says Faith and has the cross is beautiful! I love it!! And the rest of them are so cute too!!

  113. Kirsten Irish says

    adorable! I know exactly who I’d buy something for, too :-) *fingers crossed*

  120. ellie says

    oh goodness i would LOVE to get something from her shop!! thanks for doing this giveaway :)

  139. Genelle G. says

    I would love to win a shop credit! She has so many beautiful pieces! ~Genelle G.

  144. Sarah says

    Her jewelry is just so pretty! I would love to add one of her designs to my collection! Thanks for the chance to win!

  148. Shameka says

    Oh my goodness! I’ll be visiting my mom and sister-in-law in a few weeks…I just figured out what their late Mother’s Day gifts will be! Thanks…I’m so excited!

  151. Kathleen says

    What gorgeous jewelry! I love the wax seal concept- it is so unique. This would be an awesome one to win. =) Thanks so much for the give-away and for introducing Everyday Keepsakes.

  158. Mandi says

    These are so cute! I’m glad to read she was able to combine her passions and create a business she loves!

  172. Angela says

    What lovely necklaces…I’ve been looking for one with my initial…I think I’ve found one!

  179. Debbie Kennedy says

    A girl can never have too much jewellry! Would love to win! thanks

  181. Angie H says

    I love, love, love her jewelry. The way she colors the charms is really rich….love them!

  185. Wendy Spence says

    Love your jewelry…very creative and original idea. Best of luck with your continued success in your business.

  193. Cassi says

    gorgeous jewelry! thanks for sharing your story to build your business — it is inspiring!

  197. Deborah says

    Oh how I love the vintage look and feel of these charms. Here’s to hoping I win. Keeping the fingers crossed!

  201. Debbie says

    These necklaces are so darling. I’d love to have one to wear – I’d tell everyone who made it! Thanks for a chance to win.

  205. Rachel Payne says

    These are absolutely beautiful! I will definitely be purchasing one soon.

  210. Terri S. says

    I like so many of your unique designs. They are beautiful. I love all the pendants with birds on them especially your Sweetie Tweetie Little Bird Necklace. :-)

  211. Alicia B says

    Cute jewelry! I love the Itty Bitty Letter Monogram Necklace and the vintage charm necklaces!

  212. Heather W says

    Oh, wow… so many beautiful items! I would love to win =) I’m going to need to email the site to my dad for birthday gift hints.

  215. Dee says

    I love the Faith/cross necklace – so different from other necklaces I’ve seen!