Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words I’ve always been creative, even the years I spent in a very rigid business environment. And I get bored quite easily... so I guess it drives me to try and experience different things - like playing with glass. Primarily self-taught, I’ve learned the basics of bead forming and other techniques through books and watching over shoulders. I then took different classes to experiment new techniques. The same goes for jewelry making. Thinking back, I’ve always been drawn to unique, original and quality work, textures, colors and presence. I bought my first “real” piece of jewelry when I was 17 (that’s quite a long time ago!) at a craft show in Montreal. It was a beauty, and the artist told me all about its making. I loved that very massive, chunky sterling silver ring and simply wore it all the time. How do I remember? Simple, that’s the one I still wear the most
Tell us about your shop. VerreDesign is the perfect place to find Handcrafted, One Of a Kind, Artisan Jewelry Designs. I mostly do unique pieces and love playing with different media. Each creation has a little story of its own. I naturally tend to incorporate glass but I will play with colors, shapes and texture to make my designs stand out, whether by adding crystals, gems or vintage pieces! Mass produced jewelry is available everywhere - I offer the exact opposite. I put a lot of care and love in every piece I create and put in my shop.
How did you get started? That is so funny! My son wanted to offer something different to the “best teacher ever!” for Christmas a few years ago. I suggested he made something himself and he decided he would make a necklace, but not with macaronis, with “real diamonds that shine” So we went to the craft store and... I ended up creating the necklace (we traded the diamonds for Swarovski crystals though! lol!!). And I was hooked! Being a glass artist, I started incorporating more and more of my own beads and glass creations into my jewelry designs and developed a style of my own, mixing different techniques and textures
What is your favorite item in you shop Most artists will tell you their latest works are their favourites. True. But I like these two a lot also: my Alchemist Pendant and my Poppy Cuff Bracelet.
What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made ?Without hesitation, my son! Lol!!!
What’s your most memorable sale. I remember perfectly the first time a customer ordered a few items from my online store. I was new to the “online business”, and strangely had never imagined someone could buy many of my designs at once from an online store! All of my little beauties were going to California - I remember thinking “Wow! Someone will actually walk the streets of L. wearing my designs! How cool is that?”
Where do you find inspiration for your designs? They usually come to me when I am about to fall asleep! Sometimes I am inspired by a particular colour or beads I made, a picture I saw in a magazine or some make-up add, a walk in the woods or nature itself. I love inspiration, the “feeling” itself within the body of elevated energy and enthusiasm. Inspiration comes from anything that strikes my attention, makes me being present - It starts the “how could I make/use this?” wheels in my head.
Tell us about a favorite designer. I love Sylvia Campbell. “Each of Ms. Campbell's designs is client specific, a one-of-a-kind custom made pair of shoes. She offers an impressive combination of exquisite designs, not only creating style and comfort to match an outfit with an air of glamour and sophistication, but giving the wearer a perfect hand made pair of shoes that is totally hand crafted in the UK from beginning to end.” (
http://www.usafashionshows.com/press/silviacampbell.htm)
What's your favorite color . You cannot ask a glass artist to answer this one in only one word! Lol!!! Red for love, passion, getting noticed – Blue for romance, calm and concentration – Green, Yellow and Orange for happiness and energy – Black for class, mystery and complementarity – Purple for a touch of divine... My favourite color is all colors!
What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite? I love my living room, especially in late afternoon. The light is so warm and the ambiance so quiet and soothing...
Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers? Always store your sterling silver wire and finished jewelry in plastic bags. This will slow down the tarnishing effect tremendously.
What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? I love and follow:
Indie North (
http://indienorth.com/)
Zen Dot Studio (
http://zendotstudio.blogspot.com/)
Accidental Mysteries (
http://accidentalmysteries.blogspot.com/)
Manuela Wutschke (
http://manuela-wutschke.blogspot.com/)
Melanie Moertel (
http://www.melaniemoertel.com/)
What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s). Anything written by Amélie Nothomb
Ulysse by James Joyce
Perfume by Patrick Süskind
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Book of Wisdom by Dalai Lama
What do you do to relax and unwind? I melt glass. I love working at the torch - each colour has a different way of responding to heat. Staring at the flame is like a meditation.
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