Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi Everyone! My name is Kathy Cummings, a.k.a. Kasia, and I hail from the somewhat snowy North of Buffalo, NY. I currently have 4 shops on Etsy...
KasiaBlue ... fine metal and gemstone jewelry
Poetica ... glass, brass and romantically inspired jewelry
BodyLuxe ... decadent perfumed oils, body butters and bath salts
SweetPeaSupplies ...my destash shop
(Yes, I am intent on Etsy domination! LOL)
My jewelry passion started when I was very young. Anything sparkly, shiny or multicolored quickly drew my attention. I would spend hours just searching for rocks and stones, happy as a clam just to find new treasures to keep in my collection.
Fast forward to my adult years where I felt that my creative passions were stifled, so off to the bead store I went. I started out just making things for myself or for friends, which was satisfying, yet still not enough. Then, I went to my first gem show. The rest they say, is history! I started out with KasiaBlue (a mix of my Polish name and my favorite color) creating a variety of jewelry and quickly found that my designs appealed to very different customers, so Poetica was born. Now, Kasiablue is the home for fine gemstone and metal jewelry while Poetica is the home for my romantic, gypsy soul where I work in brass, glass, copper and gems. Each place is inspired by nature and the color play of the world around us, with a strong inclination toward flowers, leaves and the beach ... a few of my favorite things!
So many of you would say that I had enough on my plate. Well, I suppose any normal person would say yes, but I still felt that something was missing. As if a family, full time job and jewelry business didn't fit the bill for complete exhaustion! I just had more in me that needed to be expressed. I had wanted to develop a skincare line for at least 15 years, just never had the time to really throw myself into it. My education is in Medicinal Chemistry and I worked as a Research Scientist before my first daughter was born. That is where my passion for natural products and plant derivatives comes from. I seriously considered natural product chemistry as my graduate major until I learned about all the bugs, snakes and creepy crawly things that I would have to deal with. Umm, I quickly changed my mind! Instead, many years later, Body Luxe is my dream become reality with body products that smell great (if I do say so myself!). In fact, perfumery is quickly becoming my driving force and I am obsessed with layering and blooming new scents. Guess that I am a mad scientist at heart!
How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?
I was perusing the Etsy playground one day and came across EPE and thought that it was a stellar cause! My Mother in Law had just been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and I felt that my participation in this project would be a worthy way of giving back. It's funny, when I was getting my degree, my concentration was in anti cancer pharmaceuticals. I thought that I was going to save the world! But life happens, circumstances change and your true path is revealed. It was through this project that I realized that there were many methods to create change and to help find a cure. Each intention, creation and donation makes a difference! I love this Team!
Of all your creations, what is your favorite? And why?
Wow, that is a tough one! I would have to say my children. They are a beautiful reflection of my soul and have such loving, giving hearts. They make me proud everyday!
What is your favorite possession, and why do you cherish it?
Again, a tough one. I don't know if I have any one thing that I couldn't live without possession wise. I would miss many if they were gone, but in the end, they are just "things." A few years ago I had my own scare with a brain tumor. It turned out to be a "smudge" and is inert. Once you go through that (as many of our team is, has or will go through) your perspective shifts. All that really matters is that you have woken up that day, kissed the ones that you love and have made a difference in the lives of those around you. Things can be replaced.
What do you collect?
I love tea sets! I have only 4 complete sets right now, but am always on the look out for something that would catch my eye.
My wildest dreams...
I want to be creating and doing this full time and not need my day job to be able to contribute to my family. Self sustenance is a beautiful thing!
I hope to be a better person and more settled in my soul's purpose, being able to give back and help those who are in need. Creating a legacy is priceless.
I hope to be be able to live life to it's fullest, take vacations with my super awesome husband and be content with where I am. Self realization rocks!
Congratulations Stevie!
Congratulations Stevie!
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