We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.Today's featured indie designer is Lisa, aka Soov. This artist strives to create handcrafted, quality jewelry pieces for the savvy consumer, and we think she achieves this aim with flying colors!
Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I'm employed as a full-time office manager for a car dealership but love to create in my spare time. I enjoy painting, redesigning cast-off furnishings, mosaic and custom jewelry making. Jewelry has become my obsession in the past year and a half. I absolutely love seeing where the beads will take me, be they vintage, gemstone or glass.
How did you get started as a designer? I've always been into home decor make-overs but fell in love with jewelry designing after my grandmother passed away. I inherited several boxes of her vintage necklaces, bracelets and earrings. My husband and I took apart the majority of the pieces (saving a few that had sentimental value) and sorted the beads, then I began playing with designs and fell in love. It's been a passion ever since.
Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Read, read, read and study. I'm constantly trying and learning new aspects of jewelry design. I've recently ordered my first rock tumbler and will be making my own earring findings, wrapped rings, etc.What inspires your work? I never know. It's something that comes to me as I look at different stones, often thinking of stories as I sort them and lay them out. I've been known to work on one necklace for 2 days until I consider it finished. Recently a bride's dress inspired my first bridal set, inspired by her dress. It's listed in my sold items on Etsy.
Who are your favorite designers? That would be a long list. While I may not like everything a particular designer does, I do like to study what, why, how they came up with their design and can appreciate the work that went in to it, or in some cases, the work they forgot.
What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Accessories. From the jewelry to the handbag, belt, scarf, what have you. To me an outfit is just an outfit. It's the accessories that make it work.
Where can people find your work? www.soov.etsy.com
Anything else? My goal is to turn my work into a lucrative business. With time and effort, I believe I can realize that goal.