Name: Aly

Business: Jeraly

Website: www.jeraly.com
www.fb.com/jeraly
jeraly.etsy.com

Describe yourself in three words: Passionate, creative, crazy!

What else should we know about you? I’m originally from the UK and living in Southern California. I love cats and wondered how I would ever love my baby more than them while I was pregnant (good news – I do love my baby more!!). I am married to Jeremy who I met online around ten years ago in a text-based roleplaying game (seriously – read our story on the website if you haven’t already!) and we balance each other out perfectly – most of the time! I’m incredibly stubborn and strong-willed and know I can do anything if I set my mind to it. I have a strong work ethic that saw me turn a temporary receptionist position into an invaluable member of the company I worked for to the extent that they created a position of Project Coordinator that I was then promoted into. What else? I could ramble on forever because life is so interesting but if you want to know more – just ask on my facebook page – I love a good chat!

What do you do? I am a full-time mommy (mummy if my family are reading this!!) to Zen who was born December 26th, 2010 – an hour after midnight so he was *almost* a Christmas Day baby after I was induced on Christmas Day (he was due on the 20th – stubborn like his parents!). Aside from changing dirty diapers (nappies), getting covered in baby drool (spit) and other bodily fluids, I sometimes get the opportunity to make jewelry! I’ve been working on Jeraly on and off since 2006 when I first started making jewelry and now I am balancing that along with keeping house and motherhood (the house is a mess so that gives you an indication of where my priorities lie!).

Why do you love it? I love having a creative outlet because I have always been “arty” – drawing and painting from an early age, getting a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design in college followed by a BA with honors in Art & Design in education at university. I love experimenting and that little thrill when something just “works”. I also love being able to stay at home with Zen, especially in the current economy. We’re not exactly lining up the porsches on our driveway but we’re getting by and it is so wonderful to be around to see Zen growing and learning – I’m very lucky :) Finally I love it because I have a way to keep my brain ticking over – being at home with Zen IS wonderful, but the conversation and intellectual stimulation is somewhat lacking (for now!!) so getting my teeth into the business side of things keeps the ol’ gears oiled ;)

Where do you get your inspiration? A lot of my inspiration comes from the materials I use – I’ll browse a supplier online or in a catalog and make a huge list of things I “need” (and have to delete most of them from my cart – boo!) because I have so many ideas! A lot of my designs are very nature-inspired with flowers and such featuring fairly frequently. That’s for design. My inspiration to succeed comes from never feeling fully content when I am working in a “normal” job – part of me always wonders “is this it?” until I retire – I can’t imagine just getting up, going to work, working for someone else and coming home – rinse and repeat – for the rest of my working life! I also enjoy a challenge and what bigger inspiration to be able to stay home than to spend time watching my children grow :)

Who has been one of your biggest influences? Cliche, but my mum has been a huge inspiration to me. Following her separation from my dad when I was 9, she went back to school for six years with three kids (9,7 and 3), a mortgage and a car to qualify as a teacher. She has excelled in her career due to her dedication, commitment and strong work ethic and I have been determined to foster the same characteristics in myself. The reason I went to university is because of my mum and while we’ve not always seen eye to eye (haha – do teenagers ever see eye to eye with their parents?!) we’re very close now :)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things could you not live without? Ok – if we’re going with collective nouns and practicality then Family, Friends and Technology :) Family and Friends speak for themselves, technology in the collective sense can provide communication, water purification and all the other things we take for granted ;) If we’re going with individual things and frivolity then my laptop, an internet connection and a power supply ;) I would get SO bored collecting shells after a while and I can always e-mail for help lol!

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In my own house back in England with two or three kids, a successful business and a comfortable lifestyle :)

Anything else you just *have* to say? That’s a dangerous question to ask someone who always has too much to say so I’ll say this again – if you want to chat, know more or get to know me then find me on facebook – I always have plenty to say there!