Apologies for the delay in posting this today. But I assure you, this Featured Artist is worth the wait! Introducing Jen of Pole Star Jewelry--a super successful mom and jewelry designer extraordinaire! If you've been to her etsy shop before, I'm sure you've had a tough time leaving because there is just so much eye candy to chomp on. I even had a tough time selecting the photos for this feature because there's an endless array of sparkling beauties to choose from. I've had the delight of getting to know Jen through etsy and twitter and on top of her gorgeous creations, she's one intriguing and hilarious lady. Now you can get to know a little more about Jen and her inspirations!
Jen is also giving away one of her most popular pieces! So if you are a lover of sparkle, check out the details following the interview and get in your entries.
Thank you for an amazing interview and giveaway, Jen!
.......................... the interview .........................
A random fun fact about yourself:
I had my nose pierced a few times in my late teens, and I still have a little scar from it on my nostril.
The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
rain, warm, nap. (it is cold and nasty here today, I just want to snuggle up in bed)
What's your favorite read of all time?
So hard to choose as I am an avid reader. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. It was one of those books that when you finish it and close the cover for the last time, you feel like all the characters are waving "bye" to you. I was so sad when I finished it and there wouldn't be more adventures. (though I have read his follow up novel.)
Any guilty pleasures?
The Golden Girls on DVD, pink wine I would have made fun of someone for drinking when I was 10 years younger, Oreos.
If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
I have never been to the Caribbean, but after this winter it is seeming very appealing.
(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
Simple everyday-wear gemstone jewelry and fun vintage bead jewelry, with some lampwork jewelry inspired by space and the cosmos.
How long have you been at it?
I made jewelry as a hobby for years but decided to start selling on Etsy in September '08. I had been shopping on Etsy for a year or more before that.
So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
I think for me it is practice makes perfect, but I think that is the case for anyone and their art or craft. Over time, you find your passion and work on perfecting your your techniques and how to get a piece where you want it to be, no matter what your medium.
From where/how do you find inspiration?
I definitely find most of my inspiration from the natural world and the galaxy. We have a lot of space books around this house, and some physics and Stephen Hawking's books. Also love watching Cosmos. I also draw inspiration from pop culture and the human experience. I usually put the beads together and go with the impression they give me once the piece is complete.
What was your most memorable creative experience?
I have dreams or as I am falling asleep, I think of ideas, sculptures, dresses, paintings. The problem is I am not trained in any kind of fine art or sewing, so I have no way to really make these imaginings come about. I wish it would happen more often with jewelry designs.
What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
I take some time off and do things I enjoy. Go to dinner with friends, read, watch period pieces on DVD (pretty hopelessly addicted to those) or browse art blogs for new and interesting finds. They can all be very inspirational. Some of my favorite blogs for inspiration are Accidental Mysteries http://accidentalmysteries.blogspot.com/ and the Sartorialist http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
When sales are slow and I think my shop sucks. :D
What is your formula for success?
A lot of hard work and a reasonable aesthetic eye, along with caring about the quality of what I make and how happy my customers are. They give their hard earned money to me for something that should last for a long time, and I remember that with each piece I make.
Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
I think I still don't feel this way all the time.
Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Find out what you really want to do. Do you want to do it to mainly express yourself, or making a living. If you want to make a living doing it, you will have to make some compromises.
When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Out at a park with my 3 and 5 year old boys, or playing a PC game, reading, watching a movie with my husband, trying a new recipe or going to dinner with friends. Hopefully soon exercising more will be added to that list.
In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
A supermodel with a trust fund or a criminalist.
Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask about?
Thai is my favorite food. What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
OH wow, this could go on for a loooong time. I love your shop of course and your new Daily Dose http://www.etsy.com/shop/DailyDose
2. Sara over at ShySiren has a gorgeous shop and she is a good friend http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShySiren
3. RosyRevolver http://www.etsy.com/shop/RosyRevolver
4. LeavesofGlass http://www.etsy.com/shop/leavesofglass
5. Enhabiten http://www.etsy.com/shop/enhabiten
6. SadieOlive http://www.etsy.com/shop/sadieolive
7. I would love some blouses from ForetLA http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForetLA
8. Polpette Clay always makes me smile http://www.etsy.com/shop/polpetteclay
What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
Right now Monica of Moonovermaize is making me a custom Moonstone ring
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonovermaize
Any suggestions for my next featured artist?
And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist, what might this be?
Not very creative but my first thought was a black and white version of the Japanese flag.
.......................... end interview .........................
And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!
(winner selected on Monday, February 15th)
Jen is graciously giving away this gorgeous piece to one lucky winner:
her popular Star Bright Necklace (valued at $42)!
* Leave a comment about what your favorite type of jewelry is: vintage beads, lamp work beads or gemstone?
* you must include your contact info (email, blog, or etsy shop)
Possible Bonus Entries:
1) follow Jen on twitter: @polestarjewelry
2) follow me on twitter: @eNVeDesigns
3) tweet about the giveaway (include @eNVeDesigns and a link to this post for validation) (one entry max)
4) fan PoleStarJewelry on facebook
5) fan eNVe Designs on Facebook
6) follow my blog (anonymous followers not a valid entry)
7) subscribe to Jen's mailing list
8) subscribe to my mailing list (email to subscribe [at] envedesigns [dot] com)
Your odds are in your hands! You have one week to enter. The lucky winner will be selected at random next Monday, Feb 15th so get your entries in before then. Good luck! :)
**** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! CONGRATS TO LILLY....winner of this lovely necklace!****
117 comments:
I love jewelry with gemstones. I like the shiny, glittering, light catching types.
email (amt at telus dot net)
I am following @polestarjewelry on Twitter. (amt946)
email (amt at telus dot net)
I am following @eNVeDesigns on twitter (amt946)
email (amt at telus dot net)
Tweeted. http://twitter.com/amt946/status/8835827062
Email: amt(at)telus(dot)net
already following Jen on twitter :D
following you on twitter :D
following your blog too! :D
already a fan of Jen on FB :D
I am a follower. (Anne-Marie T)
email (amt at telus dot net)
whoamg, feeling like a stalker now!
fanned you on FB :D
and now I'm signed up for your mailing list.
seriously. feeling like a stalker. lol.
♥
Great interview. A real treat.
Love vintage stones almost as much as rough cut gemstones. You just had to ask;P
ps: tweeted also. not sure how to leave a link to it! (Ima win now, right?)
here's a copy/paste:
myjenaissance
Awesome feature RT @eNVeDesigns: new FEATURED ARTIST AND GIVEAWAY!! meet the lovely @polestarjewelry > http://bit.ly/2A2Ndm about 1 hour ago from TweetDeck
I follow you on twitter Ngan, like you didn't know.
I follow Jen on twitter.
I follow you Ngan on facebook.
I follow Jen on facebook.
Fingers are getting tired. I follow this blog, oh yes I do.
Fixing the mess that was this comment:
I love the vintage beads best, though there are some gemstones I just drool over. :D
and loving Jen @polestar too.. so I hope I win :D hehe
my email: jenaissancedesigns gmailcom.
♥
I love PoleStar's jewelry! My favorite jewelry is gemstone jewelry.
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
I follow @polestarjewelry. (@1rockstarmommy)
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
I follow @eNVeDesigns. (@1rockstarmommy)
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
Retweeted for you! (@1rockstarmommy)
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
What a great interview. I enjoyeed both the questions and the answers, and of course the photos!
I'm a gemstone girl myself... I like the earthy stones the most... jaspers, agates, quartz, but I like the glittery ones too.
http://kneedeepstudio.blogspot.com
I'm a fan of PoleStar Jewelry on Facebook.
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
I am already a follower of this blog.
I am a fan of PoleStar on FB.
I follow your blog.
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
I am a fan of you, Ngan, on FB.
I'm a fan of eNVe Designs on Facebook.
Nicole
rockstar.mommy@yahoo.com
1. I already follow Jen on twitter
2. I follow you
3. I am a fan of Jen's on facebook
4. I am a new follower of your blog
5. I tweeted about it @michabella
6. It's hard to pick a favorite of Jen's pieces, but I'd have to go with the sea farer earrings :)
My etsy shop is michabella.etsy.com
I don't have a favorite type...it all depends on my mood and what I'm wearing. But if I get stuck on a piece I can wear it for months...day after day.
waterrose.etsy.com
I follow Jen on Twietter
waterrose.etsy.com
I follow you on twitter
waterrose.etsy.com
What a great interview. I love PoleStar's jewelry. My favorite kind of jewelry is natural gemstones. Thank you, I enjoyed reading about one of my favorite jewelry artists.
I follow your blog
waterrose.etsy.com
I love jewellry with gemstones-I'm attracted to the glitter!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca
I love gemstones the most, and the necklace you're giving away is my absolute favorite ! jenkat419@aol.com
I follow Jen on Twitter!jenkat419@aol.com
I am now a fan of PoleStar on Facebook! :0)
jenkat419@aol.com
I am following @aNVeDesigns on Twitter!
jenkat419@aol.com
I'm a fan of eNVe Designs on Facebook.
jenkat419@aol.com
I love PoleStar's gemstones! I've already been a fan of her on Facebook... Cheers!
Polestar, I have been a fan of yours for such a long time! I am so happy to have a chance to win your fab jewelry, and will be thrilled if I actually do win.
I am a gemstone supplier, so my favourite type of jewelry is what else, but gemstone jewelry! I am addicted to gemstones. Seriously!
Contacts:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudiosupplies
www.somsstudio.blogspot.com
1)I already follow Jen on twitter: @polestarjewelry
2) I started to follow you on twitter: @eNVeDesigns
3) I tweeted about the giveaway
http://tiny.cc/jM5WX
4) I am a fan of PoleStarJewelry on facebook
5) I am a fan eNVe Designs on Facebook
6) I follow your blog as Som’s Studio
7) I subscribe to Jen's mailing list
8) I subscribe to your mailing list!
I love anything that's sparkly! so i guess gemstone?
happycloudmoments[at]gmail[dot]com
I am following polestar on twitter using _HappyCloud_
I am following you on twitter using _HappyCloud_
i tweeted :)
i am a fan of polestar on facebook
fanned u on facebook...name is Joyce Chau
following ur blog now :)
My favorite is germstone type.
And this necklace is gorgeous!
Thanks a lot for the chance.
eli_green22 at yahoo dot com dot br
PoleStarJewelry FB fan (Lilly Papers)
eli_green22 at yahoo dot com dot br
eNVe Designs FB fan (Lilly Papers)
eli_green22 at yahoo dot com dot br
I really love the vintage bead jewelry in Jen's shop!
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I follow Jen on twitter
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I follow you on twitter
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a fan of PoleStar on fb
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a fan of eNVy on fb
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I follow your blog
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I subscribe to Jen's mailing list
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I subscribe to your mailing list
scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a gemstone junkie ;-). And I already follow both you and Jen on Twitter if that counts!
I really like gemstone jewelry. I can be found on etsy at seb8351.etsy.com
I already follow polestar on twitter :) I can be found at seb8351.etsy.com
Gemstones are probably my favorite beads, I like classic that will go with a lot of different outfits so I can wear it daily.
Just added polestarjewlery to my tweet.
(I've never been on twitter before...first time signed up)
Added eNVeDesigns to my tweets :)
Already a fan of eNVeDesigns on FB
I'm an official blog follower!
Became a fan of polestarjewlery on FB.
Just subbed to Jen's mailing list
I'm all subbed up to your mailing list :)
I like the gemstone pieces above. It adds a little glam to any outfit.
(@Sarspok)
I love simple gemstone pieces that have a little sparkle and pop!
Sissy & Jack's
Sissy & Jack's is following NVdesigns on Twitter!
Stacy Hartis is following NVDesigns on FB.
I am following @polestar on Twitter. Sissy & Jack's
Sissy & Jack's is following your blog. Follow Sissy 7 Jack's??
Hi Jen! I love the bit about book characters waving goodbye...great way to describe it. I also love that bit about enhabiten being a favorite etsy shop. She's super hot.
My fave jewelry is vintage seed bead right now. I'm working on designing some necklaces and I'm pretty into it.
Love your shop. Love your quick wit. Pick me! Pick me!
I like the everyday gemstone jewelry...sparkly earrings or necklace at the playground. I am a big polestar fan!
larajean1@yahoo.com
I love statement pieces. Like I just pull on plain solid clothes and a BAM! piece of jewelery.
I love gemstone jewelry, but I also quite like lampwork, too.
Great giveway! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Gemstones! Hands down! I love Jen's jewelry made with polished gun metal and the work she does with oxidizing the metals. Combine with gemstones or pretty crystals and beads with a really long length to make the piece totally versatile. Wearing jewelry like that makes me feel pretty. :)
kim@njsweets.com
I love gemstones, but I am really starting to feel the lampwork. I don't own any yet, but I plan too. I love Jen's work oh so much!!
v.verzillo@comcast.net
I love jewelery that has soul and by soul I mean that either it has experienced life and holds stories (vintage) or that it has pieces infused with the creative force (gemstones, pearls etc.) I love reflections of light and color. I love Jen's work.
www.etsy.com/shop/piperddesigns
My favorite type of jewelry is gemstone.
www.linkeldesigns.etsy.com
I'm following you on Twitter as theprettybee.
www.linkeldesigns.etsy.com
I'm following polestar on Twitter as theprettybee.
www.linkeldesigns.etsy.com
Fabulous Giveaway!!
I have been following you both and truly love your work. The amazing talents on Etsy is boundless. I've clicked and subcribed to all your links. This is so fun!! Thank you so much for doing this contest!! xoxo
www.voleurdebijoux.etsy.com
Hi Jen
Love your pieces! As an artist myself, I really love all vintage pieces, especially when you know the story behind the work.
am.burkel22@gmail.com
lovely jewelry!!! what a great giveaway.
I love vintage beads! :)
www.owlsomegifts.etsy.com
I love vintage components mixed with gems!
www.wingbysea.etsy.com
following you on twitter as @wingbysea
and already following polestar on twitter as @wingbysea
and i'm following your blog...
www.wingbysea.blogspot.com
I LOVE gemstones! :D
I follow you on twitter....
I follow Jen on twitter....
I tweeted about the giveaway....
I am a fan of Polestar on facebook....
I am a fan of eNVe Designs on facebook....
I follow your blog....
I signed up for Polestar's newsletter....
I have subscribed to your mailing list!
Really hope I win! :D
I love gemstone jewelry the best. The variety of naturally occurring materials never ceases to amaze me. I'm following you both on Facebook and Twitter. :)
email: iloveeternity374@gmail.com
I have loved Jen's shop for a long time- her work is just stunning! My fave would be vintage beads. I follow you both on Twitter and this blog.
xo- Cat :)
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