Interview with… LEJ Jewellery

 

 LEJ Jewellery is Jo- though I’m not sure what LEJ actually stands for or symbolises- it’s a mystery! I particularly like the combinations of colour that Jo uses in her work as well as her eye for great beads!

 

Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is joanne, i do many craft such as cross stitching, card making, jewellery making and i have recently started glass fusing and knitting. I live in lancashire with my husband and 2 lovely children.

What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
Spare time? whats that? no seriously i like going for walks and just enjoying the quite.

Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I mainly make jewellery, my style is novelty although i do make some fashion pieces too. I love to make something which the chances of someone else having is slim. I have recently sold 2 VW beetle charm bracelets from one of my shops and have had an order for a spider charm bracelet. Plus pigs are always popular.
 
What do you enjoy making most?
I have to say bracelets as they are what i have the most of. I think lampwork beads are my favourite beads at the minute for making them with too.

What part do you dislike the most?
Having to wait until the kids go to bed before i start, i would craft all day if i could. It’ll probably be easier once my youngest starts school next year.

What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
Sometimes i’ll see a piece in a magazine which i like ie. colours or style and then i will change it so it is more my piece. I also love fairies and angels and a few of my pieces tend to be designed with that feel.

Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
More often than not i will just put all my beads out on the living room floor and go from there, once everything is out i can see what works together and what doesn’t.

What are you currently making?
I am currently making some beaded curtain tiebacks, i have just made a hello kitty set and i am now going to try and make some boy themed ones.

Do you make custom orders?
Yes, i welcome any custom orders.

Where can we buy your work?
My work is available from my website – www.lej-jewellery.co.uk
My misi shops – http://www.misi.co.uk/store_info.php?user_id=467
My folksy shop – http://www.folksy.com/shops/lejjewellery
and my coriandr shop – https://www.coriandr.com/shop?seller_id=435

Advertisement

Interview with… The Children’s Jewellery Company

 

Harriet’s designs are made with children and their parents in mind, what a child might choose to wear, as well as what their mum or dad would like to see them wearing. They are simple and classic in the way that they are put together to appeal to a wide range if age groups.

 

Who are you and where do you come from?
I’m Harriet, originally from Honiton in Devon but moved around a lot now back south in Taunton.

What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
I have 2 children and a business, I have no spare time.

Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I make children’s jewellery. Each piece is designed to look like children’s jewellery, with small beads and clasps for little necks and wrists. They are also made with safety in mind using only acrylic and wood beads (no glass or high lead crystals) super strength softflex wire, and tripple crimping each item. I also make bespoke flower girl jewellery for weddings to co-ordinate with the brides chosen colour scheme and style, this includes hair accessories and earrings.

What do you enjoy making most?
The rose necklaces, I still think they are so pretty.

What part of jewellery making do you dislike the most?
Trying to get thick softflex through little crimps, or trying to close crimp covers without marking them!

What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
My own children and what I would like to see them wear (one boy and one girl) and just pretty beads, if I see some I have to buy them!

Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
I tend to sit down and let it happen organically. This can be an expensive way of doing things as I have made some terrible things, but I like to experiment, so you don’t know until you try. I know other designers plan and draw out their designs that’s not me, I just start threading and see what happens.

What are you currently making?
I am trying to make some spring inspired pieces, but I am struggling to find the right beads I want in my head.

Do you make custom orders?
Yes I am currently working on four flower girl jewellery sets for a wedding in March. They are having the whole shooting match so lots of work but should look stunning. Wedding Ideas magazine are hoping to do a feature on it.

Where can we buy your work?
On line at www.thechildrensjewellerycompany.co.uk

Interview with… AMI Designs

 

Alison is a really lovely lady, and has an eye for vibrant coloured beads and shows off her work beautifully through pleasantly lighted and composed photographs. She has been on Etsy exactly a year today, so happy anniversary AMI!

 

Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Alison Irving and I live in a wee village about 15 minutes outside Belfast.

What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
I’m a physiotherapist working with people with lung disease and I have 2 kids aged 7 and 10, so I’m kept pretty busy.

Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I make beaded jewellery, especially bracelets.

What do you enjoy making most?
I love making wraparound bracelets on memory wire! I never seem to run out of ideas for them and if I could just make them I’d be happy. It’s a bit strange because I never, ever wear a bracelet. I can’t stand them on my wrist!

What part of jewellery making do you dislike the most?
The futtery bits! Like finishing off a bracelet with crimp beads and ensuring jump rings are properly closed.

What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
When I started out making jewellery it was after a holiday to Cornwall and I was totally inspired by the ocean. I still love blues and greens and would make loads of my jewellery in those colours but I try and vary it a bit.

Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
I get stuck in straight away. I’m not a very organised person so planning isn’t really an option!

What are you currently making?
I’ve started making some new pieces for the spring and am using all my turquoises, aquas and greens again after making loads in grey, silver and black for the winter.

Do you make custom orders?
Yes I’ve made a few.

Where can we buy your work?
My shops are:
http://AMIdesigns.etsy.com
http://www.folksy.com/shops/amidesigns