DesignsbyDebra: Simple is sometimes more beautiful

Picturesque setting of Langley, BC, featured in a lot of hit TV shows, like Supernatural, Smallville & The Vampire Diaries, provide Debra from designsbydebra with a lot of inspiration for her jewelry design.

She works mostly with semi-precious stone beads, as well as raw stones to create simple, but beautiful jewelry pieces that everyone can afford.

She says:

"My designs are fairly simple and I think that simple is sometimes more beautiful".

Debra has been with iCraft pretty much from the beginning and we though it's about the time that we get to know her better.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself...
 

-I'm Debra Westdorp. I'm 54 and single. I have one daughter Jaime and a terrific son-in-law Dave. Two of the cutest grandsons Myka and Cody.

I live on the Wet Coast in Walnut Grove, Langley, BC with my mom and our dog Weeboy.

How long have you been doing Designs by Debra?
 

-I started on iCraft in 2008 under the name Designs by Debra, but I have been crafting and creating jewelry for many years before that.

How did you get started?
 

-I got started crafting in high school mostly sewing and art classes. Then in my twenties I developed Complex Regional Pain Disorder and had to leave my employment as a health care provider.

I  then started crafting jewelry, fabric crafting and painting. I took adult education classes in fabric painting and jewelry making and began selling at arts and crafts fairs. Then in 2000 I went to a local artist's open studio and took a class in jewelry making and that's when I started working in sterling silver and 10 and 14 karat gold with semi precious gemstones.

I also took classes in wire wrapping and started selling online. I first started selling on Ebay then opened my first shop on Etsy. Then in March 2008 I opened my shop on iCraft. I love selling on iCraft - the set up was so easy and fast. I often tweet about my jewelry pieces on TweetDeck/Twitter. I am proud to say I'm on iCraft's Top Twenty Sellers List.

Is it a full-time or part-time endeavor?
 

-My crafting is a partime endeavor although sometimes it can get a little crazy when inspiration hits I find it's just better to go with it.

Where do you find inspiration?
 

-My ideas come to me when I'm out shopping for supplies. I'll see a color, bead or charm and an idea will hit me. Sometimes I'll be working on a project and I will get another idea of how to use that material. Some ideas come to me in the middle of the night so I keep a note pad and pen on my night table to capture them.

Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about trying to become a crafter?
 

-My advice would be "just do it". It can be a rewarding experience. And you meet the nicest people.

What is your favorite material to work with?
 

-At the moment semi precious gemstone beads. I just created Amethystbead earrings on comission for and iCraft customer.
 

What is your favorite item you've ever made?
 

-My favorite piece that I've made has to be my double strand necklaces. 

If you had a million dollars, what 's the first handmade item you'd buy?
 

-The first thing I would buy would be more gemstone beads!

What would your last meal be?
 

-My last meal would have to include some form of chocolate!