Share the Love Wednesdays: Little Gems by Luisa

This weeks interview was with Luisa Perez from Little Gems by Luisa!  Luisa was kind enough to send me some behind the scenes pictures of her works in progress and workspace. 

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! My name is Luisa. I have been designing jewelry for over ten years now. I am mostly self taught and design by intuition. I have a lovely young family that keeps me busy and young.  I have an interesting assortment of beads.

 Q. Tell us more about your shop and the kinds of things that you sell?

Most of the designs are all one of a kind and colourful. I love colour and texture and that is something that is present in most of my pieces if not all. It's very difficult for me to stick to one bead, pearl or shell!

My shop carries a multitude of designs of necklaces and bracelets. I also make earrings and brooches. Most necklaces and all bracelets can be altered to fit your wrist or to the length of your neck that you like at an additional cost.

I just started working with leather too and am trying to find different ways to incorporate it with my current inventory. 

  Q. What is your inspiration?

Generally colour and mother nature inspire me. There are incredible amounts of colour combination and if you add texture, the combinations are endless. I also get inspired by fashion, greeting cards, art, past fashion trends and other cultures.

Q. What made you first start selling on Etsy?

I had been encouraged years ago to start selling on Etsy and the reality was that I didn't really think about it until now. Etsy enables me to have a creative outlet, be in contact with other talented artisans and learn about business.

Q. What was the first thing that you sold?

My first sale was to my sister. She purchased a long necklace for her best friend :) But my 'real sale' was a blue brooch to a lovely person in The UK. The colours were pretty intense and it was fun to put the pieces together. She was very pleased with her purchase.

Q. You have some amazing jewelry pieces! Which one is your favourite to create?

That's a tough question. I love doing the wire wrapped jewelry with chain link, but I also enjoy the crochet necklaces because the end result is always a surprise.

Q. Do you have a favourite time of day that you prefer to do your creative work?

I love working with natural light, so anytime after breakfast is ideal for me. I prefer sunny days like most people and only because we had a long Winter and a very cold and wet Spring.

Q. Where else can people find you? i.e. facebook, twitter, pinterest etc.

If it is there you will find me!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleGemsByLuisa?ref=hl
Twitter: twitter.com/gems_little
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/littlegemsl/
Wanelo: wanelo.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107055601646014545909/about
 Fancy: fancy.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Weheartit: weheartit.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/littlegemsbyluisa

Q. Is there anything else that you want people to know about you or your shop?

I do a lot of custom design for individuals who have an idea in mind or are looking for a special piece for their wedding day. I work in person or via email. I am also selling in some shops in the city now and will be starting some markets this Summer.

Thank you Luisa for your wonderful behind the scenes photographs and for doing this interview!  I had a great time.

Share the Love Wednesdays: Krysta Marie Designs

This weeks interview is with Lyenne Dunlop from Krysta Marie Designs!  

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. I am a full-time, self-employed Jewellery Artisan. I was blessed with an incredible opportunity to work from home, which has allowed me to watch my children grow into the wonderful people they are becoming, and to provide a good life for the two of them and myself. I love to read, write, design jewellery and other artsy type things. I am a bead hoarder by nature. I fully believe that coffee is an essential part of life. And, I absolutely could not get through life without the few close friends that I have.

Q. How long have you been making jewelry? Describe the first piece you ever made.

A. I have been making jewelry since I was 12. I started with seed beads and fishing line. My very first piece was the ever popular beaded daisy chain. I made mine using embroidery floss and these really gorgeous rainbow colored glass beads. I can remember being really excited when I finally got it and the pattern just came together.

Q. What is your inspiration?

A. I’m very fortunate as I can draw inspiration from almost anywhere. My biggest sources come from the paint aisle at hardware store and when I'm window shopping at the mall – I just LOVE the color schemes used in store front displays.

Q. I love your chainmaille pendants! Which piece is your favourite and why?

A. Thank you so much! They were a lot of fun to create! My favourite piece would have to be the Romanov Earrings. They look like small, elegant birds’ nests.

Q. What time of day do you do most of your creating?

A. I am a night owl. Most of my creating happens between 1 am and 4 am. That’s when all my brilliant ideas occur. All of the business-y stuff gets done during the day when the kids are at school.

Q. What made you start selling on Etsy?

A. I started selling on Etsy as a way to supplement my income. I had been selling full time on eBay for years, but needed an avenue that was more geared towards handcrafted items and supplies. A friend actually mentioned Etsy to me and I'm really glad she did. I've been selling on Etsy for about three and half years now.
Q. What was the first item that you sold?

A. The very first item I sold was a Beaded Watch, using Swarovski Crystals and Mother of Pearl shell beads, in bright summery colours.

Q. Do you have a work space that you do your work at?

A. I have a designated work space in my bedroom for the time being. I’m looking at studio space for the fall. I’m really looking forward to separating home & work.

Q. Where else can people find you? i.e. facebook, twitter, pinterest etc.

A. 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/krystamariedesigns 
Twitter: @ldunlopKMD 
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kmdesigns 
Blog: www.krystamariedesigns.wordpress.com
Website: www.krystamariedesigns.com

Q. What is the most challenging piece of jewelry you've ever worked on?

A. The most challenging piece I have ever created was a Dragonscale Posture Collar. It contained over 2000 jump rings. It took over 30 hours to complete and I had to take it apart three separate times for it to finally weave properly.

Q. Is there anything else that you want people to know about you or your shop?

A. Krysta Marie Designs is my passion; it’s my life’s blood. Other than my children, it’s the reason I look forward to getting out of bed every day. I am truly grateful for the opportunity that I have to do what I love and earn a living from it. I create every single piece by hand, and my care and great attention to detail definitely shows through all of my work. Each piece is truly a labour of love; blood sweat and tears goes into quite a few of my pieces!

Thank you so much Lyenne for taking the time to do this interview!  You're jewelry is amazing!