Please tell my readers something about yourself, where you grew up, where you’re living now, affiliations, personal stuff.
Well, I am a university student who grew up in Newfoundland, and am living there currently working on an English degree! And what am I planning on doing with said degree? I know I can't do much with just a BA in English, but the plan is to do grad school eventually.
How long have you been creating?
I have been creating jewelery, along with some dabbling in other crafts for about 15 years. I got a jewelery DIY kit as a gift once as a kid and never looked back! I love every moment I'm creating.
How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I've only been selling for about 7 months. I finally got the nerve to try selling once a couple of friends of mine told me I'd be able to sell what I make no problem, then I was directed to Etsy, and I set up shop.
Do you sell anywhere besides etsy? Where? How long have you been selling via that venue?
I don't really sell anywhere else. Since I'm generally new at selling (and still at school) I've stuck to Etsy and a few live craft sales.
What inspires you to create? Where do you get motivation?
Hmm, interesting! I guess inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, but I find my best motivation comes from buying new supplies, as well as playing around with my materials to see if I can come up with something interesting.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I can only make jewelery when I have loads of free time on my hands and know I won't be interrupted for long periods. Sometimes I can take a good 3 or 4 hours to make something without realizing the time going by!
When I do create though, I wash my hands, open my big black bag of supplies, get settled in my studio (i.e. a large table in my room :) and go to work! I love working with wire and stone beads, so I have several pairs of wire pliers, and lots of those sectioned plastic craft boxes full of beads. I also love using polymer clay, so I have a few clay tools, many shades of clay, and many many rejected clay beads floating around those containers. However, whatever I'm making, I always listen to music. The current fave is Christmas music.
Do you feel like you’ve been affected/influenced by the Newfoundland culture in your chosen art?
I've certainly been affected by the Newfoundland culture! It's almost hard not to be while living here! Although my pieces on Etsy don't scream "Newfoundland" I try to buy local materials when possible, and I especially love using labradorite in my jewelry.
I've actually been experimenting with making clay puffins and town houses, which may or may not end up in my shop. It'll depend on how well they turn out!
What other activities occupy your time?
I love reading, writing, (hence the English degree) playing video games and D&D, and watching anime (I am a huge dork, by the way :).
If you could recommend one book, one television program, one movie, one song what would they be?
One of each?
Hmm, I don't know if I can recommend only one book, but I'll go with "Life of Pi". It's beautifully written, and it's one of those books that makes you think a lot about your outlook on life -- something I love in a book.
As far as TV goes, I don't watch much, but I'm a huge Joss Whedon fan. I just finished "Firefly"; it's a great show with lots of sci-fi elements (again with the dorkiness).
It'll be hard to choose one movie too, but I'll go with "A Clockwork Orange". I have not yet had the chance to read the book, but the movie is fantastic, making you think about life again. Very disturbing though.
Finally, one of my favourite songs is "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel. The music flows beautifully and it recounts a story of vulnerability that I find very touching.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I would love to see Europe just so I could see the castles! That, and of course to see the various famous monuments, and generally get to see other cultures. I would also love to see Japan. There is so much amazing culture and history in Japan, so it's a very close second.
What methods do you use to advertise or promote your products?
Being a student with little money for advertising, I've relied on various social networking sites like twitter and Facebook. I also have a blog, I've made my own business cards, and I give my jewelry as gifts frequently.
I guess that's it! Thanks!
Here are OPdesign’s blog and Facebook group
3 comments:
This is so nice! Thank you!
Great feature :) I love that turquoise.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Wow!
Not only are her products great, but she photographs them so well too! They really pop!
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