TheCraftStar Community: The CraftStar Featured Artist of the Week: Rhinestones Etc.

http://rhinestonesetc.thecraftstar.com

My name is Karen Kepins. My husband of 27 years is John and we have 5 children: Catherine, 22; Sarah, 18; Andrew, 15; Monica, 9; and Stephanie, 3.

We live in Kernersville NC which is in the Piedmont Area between Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

About 14 years ago, my daughter started figure skating. Being a stay at home mom, I found the skating dresses unaffordable. I had some sewing skill but had to learn some new ones as I had to sew with 2 and 4 way stretch fabric. Skating dresses are typically adorned with rhinestones and I searched for a supplier.

Early on when I sewed skating dresses, I did not know that you needed special thread for stretch material. The seams split on one of the dresses I made!

I started selling my dresses and my services for embellishing dresses with rhinestones. Then my husband lost his job for a major airline in the Great Recession and we moved. The new ice skating rink already had an established seamstress, so I focused on selling rhinestones instead. Then my daughter felt she reached as far as she could with skating and quit. I decided to sell online and Rhinestones Etc was born.

I sell Swarovski Elements Rhinestones, flat back pearls and metal trim such as nailheads.

Three Things You Didn't Know About Me:

I homeschool my kids

I love the beach

I love thunderstorms

I am currently homeschooling my 15 and 9 year old and cutting and pasting with my 3 year old so it is quite a juggle! I am an early riser so I am usually up at 6 am filling the day's orders. Throughout the day I check my emails for any questions potential customers might have.

My Typical Day:

I am up early checking emails and filling orders. I need to be done by 9 am because I drive my daughter to college. When I get back from dropping her off, it is time to start school. I check my emails frequently during the day to answer any questions. After school I either am running one of the kids somewhere or trying to catch up on housework and get dinner on the table.

Being a Small Business Owner:

What I love best about being a small business owner is that I can work when it is best for me. I am not tied to a schedule so I still have plenty of time for my family. The hardest thing for me was to get over my fear of making mistakes. This year, I recruited my 15 year old son to help with inventory. It is a good learning experience for him and he earns a little money.

Really, my hopes and aspirations are not that grand. To be able to stay home with my kids and homeschool them is a gift I cherish but that is becoming increasingly difficult in today's economy. I just want to be able to make some money to help out with the bills so that I can continue.

Any Tools You Couldn't Work Without?

I have one tool that makes filling orders so much easier! It is a counting scale which counts the number of rhinestones.

I am still learning marketing and advertising. One thing I would not underestimate is how we treat our customers because they provide referrals. I have had many customers thank me for just answering their questions promptly and for being kind.

My top seller is crystal rhinestones in size 20ss. I think because the stone size is easy to work with and crystal matches everything.

What Items on The CraftStar Have Caught Your Eye?

I love Dream Vacation water color painting by Gerda's Garden. I love watercolor paintings and I love the beach so Dream vacation is the fusion of my loves.