Featured Artist and GIVEAWAY :: Bijoudally

 I'm super excited to bring you this week's Featured Artist, Andrea of Bijoudally.  I 'met' Andrea soon after opening up shop on Etsy and we became quick friends through our long string of convos, tossing ideas and encouragement back and forth.  Her creative vision and drive are just two of the many things that I really admire about her.  In a short amount of time, her jewelry line has skyrocketed from being just sketches in a notebook to landing in boutiques and specialty chains all across the country!  Her inspiring designs are her own original illustrations of botanicals, vintage art, architecture, and urban cities.  They're glamorous, earthy, fun, and visually intriguing all at the same time.  Let's meet the mastermind behind these designs and find out how you can win one of her amazing bracelets!

.......................... the interview .........................

A random fun fact about yourself:
I’m gluten-free and grain-free. Woohoo. ;)

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
Telepathy. Travel. Mountains.

What's your favorite read of all time?

This is a hard one! I am currently reading the series ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ by George R.R. Martin. It’s VERY good. I really loved ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy by Philip Pullman as well (Golden Compass was the first book).

Any guilty pleasures?

Ice cream and Keeping up with the Kardashians.

If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
Europe. Specifically Italy and France, going to both countries in September.

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
Our company produces laser cut leather jewelry in silver, gold, and black leathers. Laser cut jewelry is a great way to materialize graphic art or illustration skills, so our line is a reflection of my many small works of art.

How long have you been at it?
I started jewelry as a hobby one year ago and launched our laser cut line in August of 2009. It’s been a fast progression, but I tend to want to make a business out of everything I do so I figured it out real quick.

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
Well I’ve always been an artist, but I worked most of my career as a journalist and then copywriter. Art and music were hobbies I did at night or the weekends. As for jewelry design, the collection I have now was very natural to me, but jewelry in general is not. I still attend continuing education classes for casting and soldering! Jewelry to me is like sculpting in a way, there a million different ways to do it and a million different mediums to use. I could never claim to be a master of any.

Do you dabble in any other forms of art?
Well like I said I was a writer all of my career, I also sew (horribly), knitted for a few years, and I have a growing interest in designing shoes and other accessories. I also minored in music and play the guitar and piano when I have the time.

From where/how do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! Art, architecture, restaurants, food, dreams, naturally occurring designs in plants, fruits, and vegetables. I do also pay a lot of attention to trends and what is selling right now – and whether customers would be open to a product that no one has seen before.

Share something about your creative process that most people wouldn't know.
The largest part of my process is frustration and epiphanies. I will wake up in the middle of the night with an idea or go for a run and conjure up something in my head, then realize later those ideas completely suck. I am definitely the stereotypical obsessive artist who has trouble putting work down and ultimately hates everything I create. Nothing is ever good enough, which makes me push my ideas a lot further than most.

What was your most memorable creative experience?

When I first designed our bouquet necklace, I just designed the small parts to it with no idea how I would put them together. I actually had all these little parts cut and laid out on my table with no direction as to what I would do with them. Then I started messing around, putting them together like a puzzle. It took me a couple hours, but ultimately I ended up with a pretty modern looking statement necklace that remains our most popular piece to date. I look back and think how silly I was to have designed that way, but then the artist side of me says ‘all ways of designing are the right way.’

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
I sketch furiously or play around with materials.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
Highs and lows are regular guests at my studio. They both over stay their welcome.


What is your formula for success?
Good business acumen + originality + keeping your ego in check = success

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
I’m pretty excited about our growth in 2010. We are in over 30 stores across the US, in cruise ship gift shops, and Whole Foods coming soon.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Don’t give up, don’t be lazy, and keep educating yourself about the industry, business, and art.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
If I’m not working (which is rare), I’m outside on my bike or walking around neighborhoods. I also really like this bookstore near my place called Third Place Books - they have an organic café and food court, magazines, and a decent sized bookstore. It’s a wealth of inspiration and knowledge.

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
I fantasize a lot about being a male rock star. They have it all.


What are some of your favorite etsy shops?

Enve Designs is my all time favorite etsy shop. No joke. I found Ngan’s work when I was first starting out and found her work to be very inspiring, innovative, and beautiful! I own a few of her pieces, which I get compliments on all the time. She also happens to be one of the few designers I’ve met who is also one of the nicest people I’ve met – how did I get so lucky?

 


And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist, what might this be?  
A window into another universe, preferably one that resembles Egypt and has magic.

.......................... end interview .........................

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Andrea!  I'm humbled by your kind words about my work (and felt a bit weird posting that on my own blog).  I really appreciate all your support and encouragement!  Keep on doing what you do and we'll see you at the top!  :)

Here are just a few of my personal favorites from Bijoudally.  Aren't they fabulous?  And for a limited time, she has reopened her etsy shop, so get them while you can!

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!! 

(winner selected on Monday, April 19th)

* Drawing is CLOSED. Tune in to Bijoudally on twitter for announcement of the winner *

Andrea is graciously giving away this super stylish 'Lovely Hula Hands' bracelet to one lucky winner!

Here's how to enter (required):

*  Leave a comment about what colors you would like to see from Bijoudally in the future.
*  Follow @Bijoudally on twitter
* you must include your contact info (email, blog, or etsy shop) so we can reach you if you win.



Bonus entries: Leave a separate comment and contact info for each entry.



1) fan Bijoudally on Facebook
2) tweet the giveaway (include @Bijoudally and @eNVeDesigns for verification)
3) fan eNVe Designs on Facebook
4) follow me on twitter: @eNVeDesigns
5) follow my blog

You have one week to enter.  The lucky winner will be selected at random next Monday, April 19th.  Andrea will be announcing the winner via Facebook and Twitter next week.  Good luck! :)