Talent Tuesday: Wearable Zen

Talent Tuesday:

Wearable Zen by auryndesign

The first Tuesday of the month is upon us again, and its time for Talent Tuesday on the Capitola Girl Blog. This month, I have the pleasure of showcasing the beautiful jewelry work of Heather Hyatt from West Des Moines, IA. Heather is creative designer behind Wearable Zen by auryndesign.

Heather and I recently became acquainted through an Etsy forum, and I fell in love with her graceful Japanese-inspired sumi-e ink and chiyogami paper jewelry pieces. Having been raised by a Japanese mother, I used look Japanese art pieces with great fascination as a child. It seemed natural that I would be drawn to the delicate simplicity and sweetness of Heather's Wearable Zen designs, as she beautifully combines traditional materials and techniques into her jewelry pieces.

Heather has had a life-long love for designing and creating handmade jewelry. She began designing at five years old. It started with a box of plastic pony beads that her mother had bought for her. When she was 12, she got her first taste of entrepreneurship by making and selling her own Fimo beads and hemp macramé necklaces at craft fairs. And by 17, she had learned to make her own glass beads.

Now 28, Heather continues to challenge herself by trying new techniques and expanding her knowledge about the art. Her primary sources of inspiration are nature, spirituality, and personal experiences. And, these concepts are wonderfully incorporated into her jewelry as you can see in her pieces being showcased today.

Heather, a number of your pieces use Japanese chiyogami paper and other Asian techniques, what moved you to incorporate these elements into your creations?

My love of Japan and the Japanese aesthetic and style. I also have a fascination with Zen Buddhism. I began Sumi-e (Japanese ink) painting several years ago, and about the same time discovered Washi and Chiyogami paper. The marriage of my love of jewelry design and my love of Japanese style seemed natural to me.

Who and what are your greatest sources of inspiration for your craft and jewelry business?

I see the most striking and simple design elements in nature, from forms to color combinations. For example, I’m inspired by a walk outside in the woods or a bird watching trip. These things really add creative fuel that keeps me creating and reminds me that we are part of something much larger in the scheme of things.

My mother would also be right up there. She encouraged and helped me develop my need to create things and supported me as I went to the local farmers market at a young age of 13 to sell my seed bead earrings and necklaces. She also was an avid crafter and artist in her own right. Deep down I suppose I always strive to be like her, though with my own sense of style.

If you had any advice to a newbie who wanted to make pendants with resin, what would it be?

Do your research in advance, and before you grab a kit off the craft store shelf. Experiment with mixing and expect failure before you get the gist of it. Most resins are two-part, and you have to be accurate in the measuring of parts in order for the resin to set. You'll make mistakes; your resin will have bubbles or be sticky. It's ok, keep at it - you can do some fantastic things with the stuff!

There are several types of resin on the market - the same resin which is great for making solid pendant castings may not work the same or as well for just coating a surface.

Lastly - ventilation! Some products emit dangerous fumes - it's best to cast outdoors or somewhere highly breathable. I cast in my garage with the large garage door open.

Heather, thank you so much for sharing your story and jewelry creations with us today. I think its fabulous!

Be sure to visit Heather at:

Wearable Zen by auryndesign
Website: www.auryndesignjewelry.com
Shop: auryndesign.etsy.com