Today's featured indie designer is San Francisco-based Roia O'Brien, who creates gorgeous one of a kind jewelry that hearkens back to the Old World and is sure to create a little mystery and glamor.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I have been making some form of jewelry since I was a little kid. My mom took me to a bead shop when I was about ten and bought me a whole bunch of beads and jewelry making supplies. After that I was hooked! I started taking apart jewelry that I owned (little beaded things) and figured out how they were made. When I moved to the Bay Area about five years ago, I started working at a little clothing boutique that also sold jewelry. I caught myself thinking so many times, "I can make that!". My bosses were super generous and let me sell my work at the store. I sold my beaded portrait jewelry there very well. They were a big hit! I had so many special orders, and people asked me about them all the time!

When I was pregnant with my second child, I developed horrible carpal tunnel that didn't go away until well after her birth. I couldn't even hold a beading needle! I had to stop creating my bracelets until I got better. After my recovery I discovered wire jewelry and fell completely in love. I've been designing ever since!

What inspires your work? I have always been inspired by anything old. I'm not really a modern art type of girl. My mom always said I was really a ninety year old woman. I love anything English, French and Middle Eastern. My family is from Iran and I just think it's in my blood. I love all the mosaic designs in the old mosques and the detailed work of Persian carpets. Old European wrought iron gates are a real inspiration to me because I can take the scrollwork and directly apply it to my jewelry.

Who are your favorite designers? I don't really have any favorite famous designers. I love the work my friend Liz Pooi creates and also the beautiful jewelry of Nancy Dobbs Owens. I am not really into any big names. I like the smaller undiscovered designers. Like everyone on Etsy!

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? As far as beauty must haves I think the only makeup I have been loyal to for a long time is Bare Essentials. I love their mineral makeup. It really erases every imperfection and because I love the look of pale porcelain skin, I'm sticking with it! With fashion, I love anything different. I hate to shop at the mall, where everyone can get the same thing. I mostly get my clothes from the boutique I work at. Also, I hardly ever wear pants. I love skirts, nothing above the knee. Any kind of A-line, ruched, or pencil skirt is my kind of skirt. I find myself sticking to the more forgiving skirts since I had my daughter. I am working my way (very slowly) to the pencil variety!

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? I think the only advice I have is to go with your gut. If you totally love what you are doing and the designs you are creating, stick with it. It sucks to have to make your work conform to what you think other people want. Go with what you are passionate about and eventually people will find you.

Where can people find your work? People can find my work at www.roiaobrien.etsy.com. That's the only place I am selling right now.

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.