Interview with Koukla Mou Designs

Today's interview is very special to me because Rachel of Koukla Mou Designs is a dear friend of mine. She's got a brand new Etsy shop full of gorgeous jewelry and a great giveaway that comes just in time for the holidays!

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: I am a special education teacher for students with multiple disabilities in grades K-2. I absolutely LOVE my job. It brings me both joy and frustration each and every day. I am also an aunt to several nieces and nephews. I have lived in Maine since the age of 5 and don't think I'll ever live anywhere else.

WHAT KIND OF ITEMS DO YOU SELL IN YOUR ETSY SHOP: I sell earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. I use sterling silver, gold filled wire, copper, fresh water pearls, and a variety of semi-precious stones. I hammer and hand-craft my own sterling silver ring bands for cluster rings.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO ETSY: I went to Belgium in April for my best friends wedding. (Hi Kyle) It was the day of her wedding and she didn't know what earrings she was going to wear. She chose a pair of cheap cluster earrings. I believe every bride should know what she is going to wear BEFORE the day of her wedding. I decided that day I was going to make her a pair of cluster earrings and a cluster bracelet (sterling silver, fresh water pearl, Swarovski pearl) for her American wedding. (she had 2 weddings - to the same Belgium man, yes) That was the start and from there I continued to make jewelry. A friend encouraged me to sell my jewelry on Etsy. So began Koukla Mou Designs.

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR SHOP: I am just starting out. I have only made a Facebook page. My sister-in-law wears my jewelry and has passed along the URL to strangers at stores when they ask about the jewelry she is wearing. I sold jewelry in a craft fair this weekend and also gave customers the URL to my Etsy shop.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR SHOP RIGHT NOW: I love the cluster ring. It makes such a statement and everybody wants one. There are so many varieties and they are custom made for each person. I get so many compliments on mine.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SHOP GOAL IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS: I'd like to have a logo (my brother is a web designer and will make me one), and some business cards. I'd also like to have more photos taken by Insyt New Media to put up in my Etsy shop. I think it would be great to make jewelry for a whole bridal party.

FAVORITES: I love spending time with family and friends, laughing, hiking, learning to snowboard, being near the lake, quiet places in nature, sitting by a fire, writing, and stating zip codes that I know.

WHERE DID THE NAME KOUKLA MOU COME FROM: "Koukla Mou" is a term of endearment in Greek. It means "my doll". My great grandmother called me "koukla mou". In my extended family, it is term that is heard often when talking to the little ones (my nieces and nephews) and is very dear to me.

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Be one of the first to own a piece of jewelry from brand new Etsy shop, Koukla Mou Designs!

To win a beautiful cluster ring OR cluster earrings leave a comment here by noon (EST) on December 5th!

****contest is now closed****