Jessica Todd Studio

To begin my Artists Spotlights of local artists in the Kent area, I will begin with Jessica Todd who has influenced me in the creation of my own art, but more particularly the way I market my art on Etsy and the internet. Back in March she gave a day long workshop on creating an Etsy business which was open to Kent State and Akron U students, which has been extremely helpful marketing and promoting my Etsy business.

Jessica Todd is a graduate student in the Jewelry and Metals program at Kent State. She just completed her candidacy review solo show this semester and will be working on her Thesis work shortly. Her studio work is interactive and conceptual, and focuses on her unique ideas about contemporary culture. Her show Home focuses on ideas about how she was brought up in a middle class suburban area and how this upbringing shapes contemporary culture.

Jess Todd Studio

You can view an interactive slide show of her show Home here: Home slideshow (via flickr)

Jess also has a burgeoning business of production jewelry and accessories which she sells on Etsy. Her biggest selling pieces are her etched money clips.

Hand Forged Vintage Map Money Clip on Etsy.com

These pieces are made by etching the image using a special process using acid, and hand forging them into different shapes. She has been very successful selling these money clips, which she said surprised her at first. The key with selling money clips on Etsy is that there are not a thousand money clips on Etsy, hers are unique, handmade quality items, that are in demand. Finding this niche market is very important for an Etsy business to get started.

She also makes pieces for the ladies, including these etched earrings, etched with a map of Cleveland!

Earrings with etched map of Cleaveland, Ohio

These make great keepsake and gift items. I ordered my own pair of Kent, OH earrings which will always remind me of the great times I had in Kent OH after I move away to Indiana.

Jess makes custom jewelry, and these Items can be created using a map of nearly any town or image. Check out her Etsy shop for more great items, that make great gifts their owner will be sure to love. www.etsy.com/jesstodd

You can also check out her work at http://jesstoddstudio.com/ and her blog http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/mfaguidebook an MFA Guidebook for Studio Artists. And of course, be sure to Like her facebook page Jess Todd Studio!