Saturday Sparkle: Bella Tu Jewelry

Who Sparkled This Saturday?

Bella Tu Jewelry

It's been a few weeks since my last Saturday Sparkle column, and I was very excited to see all the new pieces that had been added to the Handmade Jewelry: Saturday Sparkle photo pool while I was away on vacation.

One of my favorite finds in the group pool this week were some fabuloulsly feminine and fun earrings created by Lisa from Bella Tu Jewelry in Pennsylvania. After taking a virtual tour of her shop, I fell in love with the super sassy sparkle of her handwired Confetti Earrings. I love the bright happy colors and sparkling glass, as they made me feel like celebrating the arrival of summer!

I had a chance to interview Lisa for today's Saturday Sparkle, and here's what she shared with us.

Lisa, how did you get your start in jewelry design?

I wandered into a local bead shop for the first time four years ago and was immediately enchanted by the array of colors and shapes and textures. I signed up for a class, bought a few books and within a week, I was hooked. I had found my niche. I adore the materials and the finished product, but I fell totally in love with the process of jewelry making because I find such joy and wonder in it.


What inspired you to turn your hobby into a business?

My hobby of making jewelry had turned into a business before I even realized it. Friends had been buying pieces from me (and sometimes directly off of me as I was wearing them!) and two boutique owners had approached me about selling to them. That was certainly one part of the equation, but the other part was an internal shift in how I was approaching my work. I had begun to take it more seriously and was devoting a significant number of hours each week to designing and creating jewelry. I’d set up a studio to work in and, because I have this totally geeky quantitative side to me, had been keeping track of inventory and expenses. My perspective on the role of jewelry making in my life had changed and making it an official business was easy at that point.

When creating a design, what are your top three sources of inspiration?

My first two sources of inspiration, the natural world and running, are often combined. I love going for a run outside first thing in the morning. It is marvelous to see the world at sunrise and to experience the colors, textures and light throughout the change of seasons. Running also clears my mind in a way that allows creativity to flow easily. I have also learned to look at things differently since becoming a jewelry designer, to focus in on small details that I might have missed before, to see patterns and endless variety all at the same time.

My other favorite source of inspiration is to sit surrounded in my studio with my entire collection of beads and gemstones and silver and play. I experiment with color combinations and arrangements until I feel that click that comes with knowing I’ve found the right design for that day.

If you could give any advice to a newbie interested in selling his/her jewelry, what would it be?

My advice to someone getting started with selling his or her jewelry would be to dedicate yourself to the craft, to seek support from and give support to others in the jewelry making community, and to continually aim for excellence in what you do. I believe that taking the technical aspects of the work seriously allows your artistic vision to come through with more clarity. When you are creating high quality pieces that convey your artistic sense, you will find people who resonate to your work and want to buy it.


Who has provided the greatest amount of support in your business?

I’ve been fortunate to have support from many, many people who have believed in me and encouraged me. However, my family, my partner and two stepsons, have stood head and shoulders above the rest. They have blessed me with countless hours of patience and love even when I’ve disappeared for hours in my studio, been away weekends for workshops, or talked their ears off about new pieces or techniques I’m excited about. I would not be doing this without their support and championing of me.

Lisa, thanks so much for sharing your story with us!

Have a Happy Saturday!