Saturday Sparkle: Jazzi on Etsy

Who Sparkled This Saturday?

http://jazzi.etsy.com

I love glimmering and sparkling quality in things and this week, the sparkles certainly have it with this gorgeous feature piece called the Lilac Shimmer Bracelet designed by Etsy seller Tia, at her shop http://jazzi.etsy.com, which is based in North Carolina. Her piece utilizes soft and shimmering artisan-made sugar beads in lilac, and is paired with sparkling clear crystal bicones and sterling silver. Isn't it lovely?

One of the things that attracts me to Tia's designs is the sense of creative fun in her pieces. She has a strong eye for design and I think she mixes and matches colors exceptionally well. Her pieces are bold, flirty, and very feminine. All of her pieces make a unique statement.

Another one of my favorites from her shop is this super-summery delight called the Watermelon Seeds bracelet, which features lampwork watermelon beads, Swarovski crystal, and Hill Tribes Silver.


I had a chance to interview Tia this week about her background in jewelry design, and here is what she shared with us.

Tia, how did you get your start in jewelry design?
I got my start in jewelry design by simply stumbling across a display of beads in a craft store and I was in love with the way the beads felt in my hands, and sparkled in the light. At random, I picked out some beads, and grabbed what I thought I would need to make a piece of jewelry. Oh, what a nightmare! After a quick lesson on the basics ,via a beading magazine, I started to develop my own style, and plunged myself into the world of beads, the qualities, shapes, sizes and all the many facets of jewelry design, and that was in September 2006.

What inspired you to turn your hobby into a business?
I felt it was time to pursue my dream of making jewelry and turn it into a business when friends, family members and even strangers approched me about my jewelry and I knew right then I was going to reach for an oppurtunity that allowed me to do something I loved, and profit from it. I have a full time job, a husband and 3 year old, so I was hesitant initially, due to time issues, but I knew I loved to make jewelry so much, I would make it work, so I went for it!

When creating a design, what are your top three sources of inspiration?
When I create a design, I have many things that inspire me, but one of the main things is my personal style. I love bold, whimsical, bright designs. So whatever the stone is, I know what the direction is to my end result. Another inspiration is food. I love to cook and eat, so the colors and shapes of beads always can be related to some type of food. A stone may be the color or shape of a food, and I build the design around that. Another huge inspiration is places. I may look at a stone, and say to myself, "That would be a color I would wear on a tropical getaway!" And so the design takes shape from there. Those are my three main sources of inspiration.

Do you have any advice for a newbie to jewelry making?
My advice to someone new in making jewelry is, find what style best suits your taste and who you are as a person. I am a girly girl who loves bright colors and big chunky accesories, therefore my designs feel natural to me. Create your own style and of course always strive to develop it, without losing it.

Who has provided you with the greatest amount of support for your jewelry making business?
Hands down, My Mom, has provided me with the most support in my journey of following my dreams. She is my biggest fan and has helped me in every aspect of making my shop a reality for me. So yeah, She is the best!!

Well, that's all the time we have today. But, be sure to visit Tia's shop http://jazzi.etsy.com for some great pieces and jewelry inspiration!