A friend suggested I try making an Acorn bracelet because she had missed out on the JC pieces. I have been working on this one in the evenings for awhile now. I started out with just the wooden beads and acorn caps some what similar to the original. I wanted to give it a twist though, put my own touches on it. So I added some stardust beads and a little squirrel munching on an acorn hiding underneath the bracelet.
** Edited-Thanks so much for all for all the encouraging and kinds comments ladies! 
Who said your shop does not involve creativity?!?!?!?!?!? That is ridiculous! Your jewelry is BEAUTIFUL and really pays attention to detail. This latest creation is gorgeous too. I love how you have a little squirrel at the end of the bracelet
You MUST add this to your Etsy shop! It is one of the sweetest bracelets I’ve seen! I LOVE IT!! Your designs are so creative and original….if there is a bit of JC inspiration thrown in, what is wrong with that?? You are certainly putting your own twist and creativity into all your designs.
Please do not listen to anyone who says your jewelry does not involve time or creativity. There have been a lot of haters on the blogs lately. I’m not sure what they have to gain from being so negative. Your jewelry is beautiful, and you should keep doing what you are doing. It has even inspired me to take up beading again!
Just want to echo what the others have said…. you have added your own charm (pardon the pun!) and personal touch to a beautiful design. Everyone gets inspiration from somewhere. Your creations are delightful!!
You MUST add this to your Etsy Shop! It’s is DARLING and I love all your personal design touches. BETTER than J.Crew’s version. Really, lovely!!!
Oh Shannon – people are such stinkers. You have the most creative pieces ever, I am always in awe. this piece is amazing!
I love it!!! Add what you want to. I love your J.Crew inspired pieces– more wearable and more affordable as well. Nothing wrong with that! I also love the squirrel! Do you ever have people “commission” you to do certain designs?
**starts dreaming up bracelet involving squirrel charms…**
Kendra- Absolutely I can do customer orders
Thanks for your kind words everyone! I hope my post didn’t come across as whiny lol. Right now I am just trying to find the balance between my own professional pieces and the fun JC inspired ones.
I think I may go ahead and add the acorn bracelet to my store but retire the Sunday bib and meringue necklaces. I’m not really concerned with having the spring bauble and pearl cluster pieces listed since those are very common designs and color schemes. Thanks for your thoughts!
The acorn bracelet is adorable, Shannon. Love the little squirrel! Actually, I think you should include this one in your shop. I know the perfect person for this bracelet and her initials are JKW, lol! Funny, I don’t think of your work as “JC knockoff” at all. There is a lot of originality in your designs. Keep up the fantastic work!
Please, pretty please add this adorable bracelet to your etsy shop! I love it. And I thoroughly enjoy your blog and your reviews have been most helpful. Thank you for your dedication.
Your pieces are much prettier and wearable than the JC ones.Artistic people draw inspiration from the world around them and you are a very talented girl.Don’t listen to the haters.Please, add this bracelet to your shop.It is beautiful.
Ditto to everyone else. Who says J.Crew’s designs are original anyway? I think if anything the whole Target pearl cluster necklace disproved that. Your pieces have style and that is all that matters. I heart this bracelet!
Shannon i LOVE your jewelry! they’re the perfect size and not overwhelmingly big! you are so talented and creative! i wish i lived in the next town so that you could teach me! keep the jewelry coming! i can’t wait to finally order something from you!
I love this bracelet. Once again you’ve created a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry Shannon. You’re so talented!
What can I say, you ladies are so sweet. Thanks for the pick me up!
I wouldn’t worry about what other people think, I would worry about you infringing on JCrew’s designs. You can get into legal trouble for that. I know a dressmaker in my hometown that won’t sell something that is very close to the original design as she could get into trouble for it. You should stick with your own designs.
Seriously some people are so mean! I can’t believe anyone would say that your pieces do not involve creativity.
IMO your pieces are so much better than J. Crew. You take the time to use quality materials. I think your jewelry would outlast any J. Crew piece. You only have a few J. Crew inspired pieces so it’s not like your entire line matches J. Crew’s.
As far as infringing goes, I asked my BF (he’s an atty) about this the other day b/c I decided I wanted to make a bubble necklace and post about it on my blog. He laughed at me and sent me an article with the following excerpt:
Copyright protection for an original work of authorship does not extend to the following:
* Ideas, concepts, discoveries, principles
* Formulas, processes, systems, methods, procedures
* Words and short phrases, such as names, titles, and slogans
* Familiar symbols or designs
* Mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring
He said 99% of all jewelry made falls into the above category. An example would be the cluster pearl necklace because it’s a familiar design. Your bib necklace is also a familiar design. Of course there is a lot more to Intellectual Property so if you have any specific questions you need answered feel free to contact me and I can ask BF. He is doing so me research for me so I can forward it to you if you would like.
I love the acorn bracelet! So pretty and I can only imagine the amount of time it took to make it! You should definitely put it in your Etsy shop.
Shannon,
First of all, that is way more beautiful than the J Crew one, and falls into the category of ‘inspired by’ rather than a flat out copy. I wouldn’t worry about J Crew coming after you, lol. Look at all the ‘inspired by’ stuff out there for reference. It’s everywhere. All design is derivative to a degree.
Second, you are very talented, creative, and skilled. And your shop took off quickly, and is doing well. You are successful and respected by many. There will always be a few who will resent you for being talented and successful, and will try to bring you down. The better you do, you must be prepared for certain individuals to feel competitive towards you, for whatever reasons, and some may act on it in the form of verbal snipes…etc. Get used to them, they’ll always be lurking around.
Just keep doing what you’re doing, and remember, success always comes with a few haters.
Madame X
Ditto Madame X!
Your pieces are stunning and you can tell you’ve put a ton of time and effort into each piece.
I can guarantee your pieces are better put together than the ones at JCrew.
I LOVE the lil’ squirrel! You should really consider selling this piece and any piece you make!
Imitation is the HIGHEST form of flattery!
I actually have the JCrew squirrel bracelet but adore yours. It would be an amazing late summer/fall piece.
Shannon, this piece is gorgeous and so unique! Please don’t pay attention to those attempting to box you into a category. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I say continue listing your pieces. Ignore their comments.
Love the bracelet Shannon! Bravo! I would describe it as unique and elegant.
Gorgeous bracelet! Was appalled at negative comments. Love your creations, please, do not listen to nay-sayers, not worth it!
Beautiful!
I didn’t read the post, but sounds like you have haters. Yes! You have ARRIVED! You are popular and have stirred up the jealousy pot simply by being marvelous. Ignore it. I know it’s hard.
I love your pieces and just sent someone a link to the cluster bracelet. Before I read this. So there.
Keep on truckin!