This Week at Sow's Ear Jewelry

This industrial chic hardware bracelet is by far the most popular piece in my Etsy shop.  It's also, oddly enough, one of the first pieces I ever designed.  The original was created a couple of years ago for my niece Katie, who is a photographer, an artist, and an all-around cool chick.  She loved it. 

Last fall, I made one for myself and found I wore it all the time because it was super-comfortable and flexible, and it added a touch of subtle edginess to even my most tailored outfits.  It also looks great stacked with other chain or beaded bracelets.  I get tons of compliments on it -- especially from guys, which surprised me.  When do guys look at jewelry?  I guess when it's something they can picture themselves wearing, they do.

I've sold more of this bracelet than any other single item I've made.  It also gets more pageviews and "favorite" clicks than any other piece.  Recently, it was featured in an Etsy Treasury with other upcycled and recycled items, and the same person posted her treasury on her design blog.

It also got pinned on Pinterest, but I have no idea how to find it on the site, so I can't show you.  But it did, honest.  Not bad for a piece of jewelry that began with the question "What would Katie love to wear?"  I'm beginning to understand why designers are advised to have a customer in mind before they begin the design process.