FEATURED FAM - THE TAFFY BOX

Today's FAM featured shop is The Taffy Box!

Here is my interview with Koryn, and be sure to check out some of her beautiful work below!!!

Let's start with the basic intro - what is your name?

Koryn.

Tell us about yourself. Are you married, have children?

I am married 22 years to Tim who is active duty in the US Air Force and stationed at The Pentagon. We have 4 children, two in college and two in high school. The older three are boys and the youngest is our girl. All of our kids are in music and theater. Both our sons are in singing groups at college which have recorded CD's and perform at state high schools and colleges in Virginia. I taught preschool up until last summer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am currently half way through my chemo therapy and I wake up every day to another blessing from God. Having Etsy and my craft has been a great way to cope, a distraction in the storm, a light in the dark, a way for me to "run away". It has kept me focused. I also opened a charity Etsy site called Bosom Buddies where I feature other etsy artist's breast cancer awareness items and all I sell in my shop supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation. www.BosomBuddies.etsy.com.

What sort of items do you have in your shop?

Mostly hand stamped jewelry and silver, copper, and some Swarovski. I also do a lot of hand stamped pet tags.

How long have you been doing your craft?

I began making mother's bracelets 15 years ago (the sterling block letter type, bead, etc.) and opened my other etsy shop motherspreciousgems.etsy.com in 2007. The Taffy Box began after that when I just couldn't stop beading, but when I didn't have any custom orders pending! Last year I learned the art of hand stamping.

Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

I love nature, birds, children, serenity, the ocean, and inspiration itself.

How long have you had your Etsy shop and what made you decide to take that step to open it?

I have been on Etsy about 2 years. I stumbled upon Etsy quite by accident but it has been a wonderful catalyst in selling my jewelry and meeting other artists who have given me great inspiration and advice. I feature other etsy artist's on my blog No Strings Attached, and I enjoy networking with other mothers on everything from parenting to how-to's of working from home.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you want to share with us?

I am looking forward to offering a stylish font in my hand stamping line, something more delicate looking. I have also been invited to do some wholesale work and am interested but would like advice from other FAM members who have jumped into that arena.

Thank you so much for being today's featured FAM shop and your fellow FAMMIES wish you well in your courageous battle!!

Follow these links to see Koryn's work for yourself:

www.TheTaffyBox.etsy.com
www.motherspreciousgems.etsy.com
Koryn hosts a monthly giveaway at her blog http://TheTaffyBox.blogspot.com
Koryn's breast cancer journey is chronicled at http://Motherspreciousgems.wordpress.com

Here are just a few of my favorites from her shop: