Category: interviews

Rich Traditions

Choctaw Silver Works is more than just an online shop that sells handcrafted jewelry. It is also a marker of pride and tradition for the Choctaw people. Having made sterling silver jewelry since 1790 R.J. is continuing his ancestors traditions not only in the form of adornment but he also creates gourd rattles and other ceremonial items.

For those unaware please give a brief description of the Choctaw Indians and the tradition of Native American jewelry.

The Choctaw are a southeastern tribe that lived prior to European contact in Louisiana,Mississippi and Alabama.Beginning in the early 1800’s and continuing through the Civil War era ,the majority of the tribe was removed from their ancestral homeland,their houses and crops burned and forcibly relocated to Indian Territory which is now Oklahoma.Almost one third of our people died along the way or within a month of arrival from starvation and exposure.This was our holocaust.Many Choctaws,fearing extinction, hid out in the swamps and heavily wooded remote regions of Louisiana and other southern states.Their descendants comprise the various bands of Choctaw who still reside here.Our family is enrolled in the Louisiana Band of Choctaw Indians,a tribe of almost 1,000 people whom I serve as a tribal councilman.Our family speaks Choctaw,dances in pow wows and is involved in various Indian crafts.
Choctaws of long ago enjoyed wearing shell gorget pendants,strings of freshwater pearl necklaces and anklets as well as copper bracelets.Early explorers wrote in their journals that Choctaws were fastidious about their appearance.

When did you become involved in jewelry design?

I began making jewelry when I was 17 years old.I started out making stainless steel rings and pendants.They were plain and industrial looking with no stones in them.One day I made a large cuff bracelet out of hammered pewter with a carnation design chiseled into it.This stuff was a hit with hippies living in New Orleans.

What influences your work the most?

There are several things that continue to influence me to this day.One influence stems from my time owning an ornamental iron shop in New Orleans, where I replicated old European balcony railings,columns,gates and spiral staircases.Another influence comes from viewing old Caddo,Choctaw & Chitimacha jewelry in museum collections.My strongest influence of all comes from my own dreams.I quickly sketch them upon waking up so I won’t forget them.

Where else can people buy your work, besides Etsy?
I sell my work at Louisiana venues such as pow wows and art sales.I also will be at the oldest Indian art sale in Louisiana.It will be the first Saturday in December at the Williamson Museum in Natchitoches on the campus of NSU hosted by Dr.Hiram Gregory.I also sell at the Louisiana Folklife Festival in July at NSU.

Define southern style.
Southern people are known for their independent spirit.We don’t like being dictated to, whether in regards to fashion,cooking or lifestyle.We tend to question authority and enjoy charting our own course.We wear what is beautiful in our own eyes and decorate our home likewise.We stand out as different to the rest of the country and are glad for it.We buy what makes us happy!

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style

etsy interviews men's

xoelle

Laura of Xoelle is a Pensacola resident with a love of thrift stores, whipped cream, twilight walks, and traveling. She also happens to make really great bow ties and writing journals out of all reclaimed materials. Learn about how she sources her fabric and what her upcoming projects are.

Harlequin freestyle bow tie

So why bow ties and books?

Both are sentimental and old-fashioned and slightly out-dated.
Everything I make is very sentimental and personal to me. I am an avid journaler, often filling up a journal in a month or two. I’m particular about the type of journal that I use- particular enough that I started making them. I started selling them to pay for the industrial equipment I purchased and haven’t stopped because I really enjoy it. I make bow ties because my husband is a bow tie wearer. I had been collecting vintage neckties since high school to gift to my future husband, and then I fell in love with the guy in the bow tie. I converted the whole collection of neckties to bow ties.

retro lattice freestyle bow tie Retro lattice bow tie

Who is your average customer? Does he live in a particular part of the country?

My average customer is a 25-30 year old man who is anything but average. He’s witty, intelectual, goofy, geeky, centered, and unconventional. My own bow-tie-wearing husband quilts, rides a crotch rocket, plays the piano in church every Sunday, and mountain bikes. I send bow ties all over the world but send the most to New York City, Washington DC, and Toronto, Canada.

Complete Denture Prosthesis recycled book journal Denture Prosthesis recycled journal
How do you select your fabrics? How do your reclaimed materials withstand the tugging and tying from use?

I source my materials from charity thrift stores. I use mostly neckties, button-down shirts, and ladies skirts. They are rugged! Using reclaimed materials actually assures that they’ll be of a better quality than if I was using new materials. As a small, by hand manufacturer I can use awesome materials that are otheriwse out of my budget, and get them in small quantities. I only choose materials that can withstand the tying and retying of the bow.

The Literature of the United States recycled book journal
Literature of the United States recycled journal
Tell us a little about your plans for the future.

There are exciting things coming in the xoelle world. I’m starting to work on some photo albums on the book side, and more custom options (like embroidery and scrrenprinting) on the bow tie side. Bow ties have really been making their way back into fashion so I’m sure I’ll be busy for quite some time!

pumpkin pie freestyle bow tie Pumpkin Pie freestyle bow

Define southern style.

Southern style is layed back and comfortable. It’s all about wide open spaces and back porches and lights strung in a line. It’s about putting the family and food in the forefront and staying out all night long. Love it.

Xoelle bow ties and journals can be acquired from the following stockists:

Xoelle

Palafox Market

OAK Boston

White Elephant Vintage

Aradia’s Closet

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etsy interviews jewelry

She who sells jewelry by the sea

Post author By Christy
Post date July 18, 2010
No Comments on She who sells jewelry by the sea

Whenever I think of Florida I think about those “shark attack” tees with the manufactured faux blood and slash marks or neon bikinis sold in surf shops. Fortunately there’s more to the Sunshine State than just the tourist trinkets that I remember from my childhood. Michele of Shelley’s South Shore Jewelry creates fun lockets, rings, and more that are reminiscent of Florida without a shark in sight.

Shelley can you tell us a little bit about your shop and how you got started making jewelry?

My shop has an eclectic mix of what I consider beautiful materials. I got started by attending local art shows and being drawn in to the jewelry shops. And what girl isn’t right? No actually I saw the happiness on the customer’s faces as they left with their packages. I had been active in sewing and other arts at an earlier age so I decided to give jewelry a try. The moment I held a bead I was addicted. It is very relaxing.

Sassy Seahorse, Cabochon, Rhinestone Necklace Sassy seahorse rhinestone necklace
A few of your items have a definite ocean feel, such as the seahorses, mermaids, and starfish. How has living in Florida inspired your work?
Florida inspires my designs in many ways such as the colors of the sand, sea and skies. I love working with pearls.My favorite pieces are the whimsical mermaids and my starfish lockets. At times you will actually see a starfish in the sand which I find very relaxing and romantic.

Fabulous Flamingo-Repuposed brooch-Altered Art Necklace Flamingo altered art necklace

What’s your favorite subject matter? Anything you’re interested in focusing on for future collections?
I would like to continue making my vintage jewel earrings and rhinestone brooch lockets. I am hoping to have time to make pearl and jewel necklaces for the winter season.
Dance Of The Starfish In The Deep Blue Sea-Repurposed Vintage Locket-Vintage Earring Necklace Dance of the starfish necklace
When you aren’t designing jewelry what do you do?
When I’m not designing jewelry I am usually playing with one of my grandchildren. I also help my husband with paperwork for his business. I like to get an hour a night to watch TV, usually HGTV. I’m a very simple person.

Wild Flowers, Turquoise Brass Leaf Earrings Turquoise brass leaf earrings

Define southern style.
When I think of the phrase southern style satisfied, relaxed and romance comes to mind.
As far as jewelry design goes bits and pieces of the items that belonged to someone’s grandmother. Comfortable, easy to wear designs that will go well with any occasion define southern design to me.

Peaceful Dove, Big Ring, Adjustable Peaceful dove adjustable ring

Make a splash with your own piece of jewelry from Shelley’s South Shore Jewelry.

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etsy interviews jewelry

Cupcakes and crystals

Jill Zabel is a quirky little line of “handmade fancies with a vintage vibe”. Owner Kara Jill Young takes interesting pieces and reworks them into cool, funky pieces that really stand out and are anything but boring baubles. She also makes gift tags and handmade invitations, perfect for giving her pieces away as presents that everyone is sure to love.

Tell us a little about your shop and how you got started making jewelry.

Jillzabel is a much needed outlet for me. I am a restless soul and simply unable to sit idle for any amount of time. At a very young age I began creating any and everything that came to mind, from Barbie doll clothes to fancy mud pies. Over the years I’ve dabbled in everything fro mosaics, painting, quilting to cake-decorating, photography, etc… Due to my love of all things sparkly, it was only natural that I would eventually gravitate toward jewelry. I learned the basics from how-to books, websites, and one very helpful and talented friend.

Statement Necklace - Vintage Milk Glass Christmas Light Bulb and Enameled Vintage Metal Flowers - Holiday Baby

Calling this a statement necklace would be an understatement!

You seem to use a lot of vintage and found items in your work. What comes first, the idea or the object?

Usually the object. I love to take a single crystal drop or old bead and design around it, with no clear direction in mind. The end result always surprises me! If I’m not pleased with how it turns out, I dismantle it and put it away for a while. A different day and mood will yield an entirely different result.

Enameled chains and green beads

What inspires you when creating your jewelry and other items?

Everything! Vintage movies (oh, the glamour!), the places I visit, the people I see, the night sky, the changing of seasons, love, betrayal, the ocean, the color of my husband’s eyes (the purest blue I’ve ever seen), an old abandoned building with lovely potential, the fairy tales I read as a child, the taste of a cupcake (what would vanilla with sprinkles on top look like as a necklace?), a song on the radio, vampires, the mermaid I dreamed about last night, cemeteries (aren’t they beautiful?)…literally everything!

Brown bee and Parisian pink gift tags

And there’s nothing wrong with cupcakes and mermaids! When you aren’t designing what are your other hobbies?

My favorite activity is simply spending time with my beautiful husband and sweet little dogs. I also like to cook when the mood strikes me, drink wine with friends, watch movies, and gossip on the phone. Unfortunately, I love shopping way more than I should. I even buy jewelry occasionally!

Notecards - Black Embossed Chandelier on Glossy Olive Green Cardstock - Set of Six (6)

Black embossed chandelier notecards

Define southern style.

I think southern style is as diverse as the women who live here; romantic, bohemian, elegant, dark, glamorous, casual, decadent…I could go on and on. There’s no way to define southern style in only a few words. Individuality is the only unifying element here.

Pick up any of these pieces via Kara’s Etsy store.

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etsy interviews jewelry

Indie Superhero

Joanna Koon of indie heroine makes jewelry with a vintage and bohemian feel that has a definite southern charm. Read on to see what inspires her.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

When I started making jewelry I changed my business name every other month! But I kept coming back to Indie Heroine. I came up with the name several years ago because I was really in to independent films at the time. It was my old user name for a lot of different things online, like Myspace, which is kind of embarrassing but funny to me! I finally decided to use it for my jewelry business and it turned out to be the perfect name. I believe that every day is an adventure and you are the heroine! One person can change the world, no matter who or where you are.

Shabby Chic Fleur de Lis Skeleton Key Earrings Shabby chic fluer de lis skeleton key earrings

You donate 10% of your sales to charity:water. Can you tell us a little bit about that organization?

I love what mycharity:water is doing for the millions of people who have to drink and bathe in overused, dirty, crowded rivers, streams, and ponds. In America, we bathe and wash our clothes and dishes in drinkable water – it’s a luxury that almost a billion people don’t have. Every water project mycharity:water begins includes not only wells but comprehensive hygiene and sanitation programs – latrines, faucets, etc. The wells they build belong to the community, too! It’s a wonderful cause to become involved with – I feel so lucky to be a part of what they are doing! Go to http://www.charitywater.org/whywater to learn more about what mycharity:water does for the communities of the world.

Birds of a Feather - Antiqued Mixed Metals Necklace Birds of a feather antiqued mixed metals necklace

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from doing some of my favorite things – watching B&W movies and admiring the old Hollywood glamour, going thrift shopping, spending time with friends who share similar passions like cooking, wine, or the environment. Taking pictures in my beautiful yard with our azalea bushes, towering trees, and my kids having the time of their lives digging in the dirt and crawling to every leaf to inspect it. Beauty is waiting to be discovered in the details of everything that surrounds me, the secret is allowing myself to pause long enough to see it. I brainstorm and create either in silence or with my iPod – Regina Spektor and Rufus Wainwright never fail to inspire me.
On Sale - White Rabbit - Alice in Wonderland Necklace Alice In Wonderland necklace

When you’re not making jewelry how else do you occupy your time?

I have a 2 1/2 year-old boy and a baby girl who is about to turn one! I’m a stay at home mom at the moment, so they occupy 99% of my time! I love cooking, photography, and want to start a million projects all the time! I have a sewing machine that belonged to my husband’s aunt and can’t wait to start using it; sewing is not something I’ve gotten into that much but I really want to learn! In my downtime at night, watching Netflix with a glass of red wine is my favorite way to unwind and relax. Juggling jewelry in the mix makes life interesting!

Sweetheart - Antiqued Fleur de Lis Charm Necklace Sweetheart antiqued fleur de lis charm necklace

Define southern style.

Southern style is truly what we make it. I think we pride ourselves on being indefinable when it comes to having a “look”. We’re pretty casual and like to be comfortable, but we love to look fabulous, whatever “fabulous” means to us! One thing, though, that reigns supreme here are flip flops – love ’em or hate ’em, everyone wears them with everything from prom dresses to cutoffs.

Pick up her pieces at Fleur Du Jour in Baton Rouge or online at her Etsy shop.

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biking etsy interviews

Biker Babe

Post author By Christy
Post date May 27, 2010
4 Comments on Biker Babe

I met Julianne one rainy Saturday at the Freret Market and immediately knew that I’d want to feature her work here. She specializes in bike covers but has recently branched out into clothing as well. Read on to get details on her handmade wares and tips for biking in style.

Making bicycle covers is a fun idea. How did you come up with the concept?

It was a sudden burst of genius one hot afternoon. I started with reupholstering and painting seats and then moved on to removable covers with designs appliqued on. Custom seats are a great way to personalize a bike and make a statement about life, that your bicycle is not just a tool but a vehicle of pleasure and joy.

Fleur de lis bicycle seat cover

You also sell bicycle t-shirts and handmade bowls. Do you have plans for expanding those lines?

I’m actually working on many new t-shirt designs right now. They won’t be exclusively bicycle-based, and there will also be some men’s shirts. I’m also making some jersey dresses that are simple, stylish, and great for riding around on your favorite cruiser. As for the coiled fabric bowls, they are made out of mostly recycled materials and there’s lots of room to explore, from large baskets to potholders.
Handmade bicyle tee shirts Handmade bicycle t-shirt

What tips can you give readers on how to stay stylish when commuting on two wheels?

If you’re going for pants, slim cut legs won’t get caught on your chainguard. I’m not one for wearing biking shorts under a skirt, but I strongly suggest at least wearing underwear, because commando bicycling isn’t as much fun as you might think (unless you’re at Burning Man). Keep your knees a little closer together when you’re pedaling, and if the wind happens to show a little more thigh than you intended, the most charming thing you can do is giggle and keep riding. Pockets are always convenient for keeping the keys to your lock handy (there’s nothing more un-stylish than a stolen bike!). I also highly recommend a basket or rack to carry your bags and a jacket for nighttime riding.
Coiled fabric bowls

Where else can we buy your wares?

I have my fledgling Etsy shop and I also sell at the Freret Market when I’m in town. My bowls will be in MICA soon. I also do custom work, from bicycles to clothing, and the best way to get in on that is through my website.
Polychromatic Pachyderm shirt

Define southern style.

My momma always jokes about trying to be as Scarlette O’Hara as possible, and to a certain extent I think she’s right. Sometimes it’s about relaxing at a party and other times you’re going to get a little sweaty, but there’s no rule saying you can’t look good through it all. Also, never be afraid to cut up the curtains!

For more posts on biking in style be sure to check out this recent piece I did Go NOLA and one of my first posts for this blog.

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etsy interviews

Sepia suits you

Creole Sha is a unique clothing line made here in New Orleans. The pieces look straight out of an old time sepia photograph and have a unique southern vintage flair. Read on to learn more about this designer’s true southern style.

Creole Sha has a unique aesthetic. How would you describe your line?
Urban Chic with a little southern attitude is what comes to mind when I think of the line as a whole. I fell in love with the city- the food the culture and the arts.

Ruffled Vintage Mini Slip Dress

Your pieces seem straight out of an old sepia photograph. How does the past influence your work?

Funny you should ask! I have always had a love for vintage items from a very young age. Also I think the food from the South has influenced my color palette. I grew up with brown gravy, pralines, creme brulee, bread pudding, and jambalaya. All of these foods are the same colors that I design with. From time to time I will add a splash of color but I love tone on tone.

My mom made all of our clothes growing up from a pattern – I hated sewing then because I didn’t have the patience to read them and pin them etc. But I do believe my mothers influence on creating has played a big part in what i do today. No I don’t use patterns – I just cut and sew whatever feels right at the moment. It is such a free type of designing. I’m hooked.

Robins Egg Blue Eco Ruffled Tank / Tunic Robins Egg Blue Eco Ruffle Tank/Tunic

Many of the items in your shop are labelled “eco”. What steps do you take to ensure your items are environmentally friendly?

Well we all think of “eco” in a different way; for me it is using upcycled items. All of my items are from upcycled or discarded clothing.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Right now I’m working on a Lace Line – a Black Line and a line called Body Candy and of course I will always stay true to my Creme Brulee Line. The Lace Line will consist of really funky skirts. The Black Line will be similar to my Creme Brulee line but just in black and silver. The Body Candy is wearable art to adorn the body.

Define southern style.
“Southern Style” comfortable – chic – carefree – lace – funky and a bit edgy in our own way.

Eco Funky Artsy Vest
Funky and Flirty Eco Creme Brulee Halter

Pick up your own Creole creations via Etsy.

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costumes etsy interviews

Playing dress up

Anyone who regularly follows this blog realizes I have a penchant for costumes and re purposed items. Mairi runs two shops on Etsy, Baboo Babeau and Trapped In Time Designs, based out of Lacombe, LA. She specializes in costumes and reworked vintage pieces.

You run two shops on Etsy. What is the difference between the two and how do you decide the inventory for each?

My shops vary quite a bit from each other, though both offer items that I love. BabooBabeau was the first shop I started. It holds vintage clothing & accessories, handmade felt objects for the home (wreaths, dolls, ornaments), and knit baby booties. I have a master plan to start some kids clothing/costume sewing and I believe those things will be in BabooBabeau as well.
I opened my other shop, Trapped In Time Designs six months after BabooBabeau. I’m a costume designer by education and quit my day job to focus more on my stores. It quickly became obvious to me that my custom and ready made costumes, accessories and clothing needed a venue all their own so they now live in Trapped In Time Designs.
Roman Holiday 50s Re-Made Skirt Roman holiday skirt

I love the idea of taking something old and repurposing it into a better version of the original. How did you get started with this?

I went to college for theatre and stumbled into a work study job in the Costume Shop. One of my favorite parts of the job was managing the extensive costume stock. I quickly fell in love with all the vintage items, trying on those that fit, and drooling over those that didn’t. (and they PAID ME TO DO THIS–I still can’t get over it!)

Some items had to be discarded for various reasons; usually they were too damaged to be worn or we had too many of that particular item. I snatched up a number of things that were labeled too damaged because I simply couldn’t send them to the dumpster. I held on to them over the years, meaning to do something with them. When I opened up BabooBabeau, it dawned on me that I could re work some of these pieces and give them a brand new life with someone who would love them as much as their original owners. Now I keep an eye out at thrift and antique shops for those well-loved items that could find a new home with just a little effort on my part.

The Jackie Oh-No-You-Didn't Cropped Jacket The Jackie “oh no you didn’t” jacket

I love that you make costumes in addition to everyday clothes. Do you have a typical customer? Do they buy both?

I don’t really have a “typical” customer. People from all across the board–and the world–have purchased costumes and clothing from me. One thing they have in common is the desire for something different and unique. I also tend to have a higher following of women that are looking for a fabulous costume that doesn’t show their boobs or bum, especially during Halloween season. Your typical store bought costume is short, tight and low cut. While that can be fun, not every woman wants to wear that. Plus you really can’t beat a costume custom made your your specifications. The right color and fit makes a world of difference.

The Alice--A Gothic Lolita Dress--Custom Made For YOU The best selling Alice dress

The candy cane peplum

The Dorothy bustier, custom made for you

Does the town you live in (Lacombe, LA) affect your designs?

Honestly, my town doesn’t affect what I create. Despite being just an hour from New Orleans Lacombe is still a sleepy little town. I love Lacombe and have since I was a child. I’m from Minnesota but spent my summers here since the age of four. I always felt at home in Louisiana and am so happy to have been able to move here. Lacombe, while not being a fashion or costume capital of the world, is a great place for me to be right now. While it doesn’t directly affect what I create, it does offer me the peace and tranquility that I need TO create.

I’d say old movies, vintage photographs, fairy tales and some fashion designers (Alexander McQueen, John Galliano) are where I gather most of my inspiration. I also love any kind of costume play that’s happening out there. Gothic Lolita styles are currently my favorites. There’s something about all that frill and poof that seems so very perfect.

Hand knit baby booties

Define southern style.

To me, Southern style is the perfect juxtaposition of elegant and casual. There are so many different people and cultures in our amazing area that I simply cannot pin point a particular style that defines us. Southern style is a state of mind, darling!

In addition to her two Etsy shops Mairi also does theatrical costuming. Custom orders are always welcome and she would love to start selling items in local shops.

Also any Slow Southern Style reader that makes a purchase from either store from now until May 15th will enjoy 15% off any item. Enter the promo code “SlowSouthernStyle” in the Note to Seller section of the transaction and you will receive a refund for the difference.

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style

etsy interviews

Trouser Trophies

Shae Freeman is a sculptor that uses her talents to also create beautiful belt buckles that are pure art. Read on to find out what inspires her and where you can purchase her work.

Belt buckles as art is an interesting idea. How did you get into designing them?

One day I literally decided to make belt buckles! The “long” story: I have this really bad habit of picking up any piece of metal I find on the ground. Shiny, rusty, broken, mystery part- whatever. I also have this really bad habit of taking anything laying on the street apart- TVs, typewriters, clocks, speakers, etc. (This actually started when I was young; except then I was taking apart things in the house, radios, telephones- I never put them back together and always got in trouble!) So, after years of accumulating “treasures” I decided to make belt buckles out of them.

Disco rodeo steel belt buckle

I noticed your buckles have a predominately industrial feel.. What inspires this?

The individual components themselves often dictate what the finished piece will look like. My childhood toys were, in large part, my dad’s tools which I think has had an enormous influence on my predilection for the mechanical. I have been a metal sculptor for nearly 13 years, which involves a great deal of industrial processes. I also grew up in Minnesota and my childhood memories are littered with images of rusty farm equipment, truck farms (that’s not just a southern thing!), and weird county fairs with threshing contests. Last, but not least, I am one of those artists who are cursed (blessed?) with having to appease both sides of my brain- so the very rigid symmetry and “industrialness” of my buckles act as a foil to my very organic sculptural work.

Cephalopod- cast iron sculpture Cephalopod cast iron sculpture

You have sculptures for sale in your Etsy shop as well. How does your artwork translate into your accessories?

My sculptural work (as I just mentioned) is in formal contrast to the “utilitarian” objects I make, but I think the treatment of the material remains the same throughout my work, i.e. my particular style is evident in both. The aesthetic that informs both modes of expression is usually concerned with underlying structure, which I think applies, to say, machine gears equally well as the skeletal structure of a coral reef- both reference how stuff works.

Steel ladybug belt buckle

Simple steel square nail belt buckle

Where else can we purchase your items?

I used to sell at local boutiques in New Orleans, but because 50% commission went to the retailer, I stopped doing it. However, I do have buckles for sale at Gerken’s bike shop and my sculptures are represented by D.O.C.S. Gallery in New Orleans. Other than that my Etsy shop is the only place I sell online right now. A personal website keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list….

Insignia steel and brass belt buckle

Define southern style.

I guess my view of ‘southern style’ has been skewed by New Orleans, where people can walk around in slippers and pajamas or full Victorian regalia and nobody thinks twice about it. Another definition of style refers to the manner in which something is performed or executed. This is what separates the south; the manner in which people do things. It sounds cliche, but people never rush about, are usually friendly, talkative and don’t really panic or stress out about anything. Nothing is too important that it can’t wait, and while this is sometimes frustrating, it also gives one supreme patience. Not slow, but leisurely perhaps is the operative word for southern style.

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etsy interviews jewelry

Everyday Treasures

Let’s celebrate the New Year with one of my favorite subjects, locally made artisan jewelry! I had the pleasure of interviewing Tammy about her jewelry line and what inspires her.

My personal favorite, the flor de campana de oro earrings

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspires your work.

Hi! I’m Tammy. I’m a wife, mom to two grown boys and grandmom to a gorgeous 6 year old girl.

I love making things and have done so for as long as I can remember. I can’t draw but I can paint, do woodwork, ceramics, and a number of odd things. When I started creating jewelry about a year and a half ago I found my true passion.I had to teach myself every little part of metalsmithing, and I still learn something new almost every day. I have a wonderful group of online friends that help me in any way they can, and I’m grateful for them.I think I am inspired most by an innate need to try new things and create beauty with my hands.

Copper and sterling cuff bracelet

2. Your pieces have an interesting textural feel, particularly the mixed metals such as copper and silver. How do you go about picking your materials?

I pick the metals I work with by choosing what I love, with the hope that someone else will love it too.

I like the warm look and feel of copper in contrast with the coolness of sterling silver and sometimes the sunshine feel of brass.The textures I add to my pieces create an interesting look and feel so the piece is as much fun to touch as it is to look at.

3. I noticed you mention interesting bugs a lot on your blog. Do you incorporate your fondness for them in your work?

I do like bugs! I think they are tiny little works of art in themselves. Unfortunately I haven’t used them in my work yet except for spiders, which I used to be totally phobic about! I would love to create some of the weird bugs that I see, but I haven’t quite figured out how to do that.

Rosetta picture rock necklace

4. How do you find time to do what you love?

I am very fortunate to have children and a husband that don’t care if I stay home to do what I love. I worked for 20 years in various retail jobs. I hated it snd I now think that everyone should be able to go to work in their pajamas. 🙂 I work more now than when I had a “real” job, but it is so much more rewarding to work for myself that I don’t mind the hours.

5. Define southern style.

To me Southern Style is romance and whimsy with fun pieces of jewelry that can be worn everyday.

There is a little bit of Scarlet O’Hara in all of us Southern girls.

Blueberries and chocolate ring

Tammy’s jewelry is available for purchase, with free shipping, at her Etsy shop. Don’t forget to keep up with what inspires her on her blog.

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