Teacher runs Etsy site to sell homemade bead goods

• What: Micro-beaded bracelets

• Company: Daisy Mae Designs

• Address: 10439 Sovereign Pointe, Soddy Daisy

• Website: www.dmds.etsy.com

• Telephone: 298-7593

• Owners: Sarah Fritch

• What’s special: Although there are other jewelers who use beads in their craft, few use seed beads, which are smaller and can be stitched together rather than strung, said crafter Sara Fritch. “Out of all the craft shows I’ve been to, I’ve never seen anything else like it,” she said. “It’s like you’re sewing with beads. It’s more complicated.”

• The origin story: Fritch has been interested in crafting all her life, but she became fascinated with the use of seed beads in 2007 after taking a course in their use at White Fox Bead Studio while she was living in Maryville, Tenn. She decided to begin building a stock of inventory to sell after moving to Chattanooga shortly thereafter. Her first venue to sell her wares was at the Chatty Crafty convention Dec. 10-11. Building up sufficient stock took several years, said Fritch, who is a third-grade teacher at East Side Elementary School.

• How long does it take to make: 5-10 hours, depending on the size of the pattern.

• Where it’s sold: Exclusively through her Etsy profile, and potentially through regional craft shows, including Chattanooga Market.

• What it costs: $20-$50

• Future expansions planned: “I teach, so this is just something I’ve done in my spare time, but I’ve really enjoyed the craft show experience, so that’s definitely something I’ll pursue in the future,” Fritch said. “I’ll continue to market myself through business cards and on the Internet.”

• Lessons of the trade: “It’s OK if you make mistakes,” Fritch said. “You just start over and learn from the experience. Patience would definitely the biggest thing because it’s time-consuming.”