Talk To Me Tuesday!

Below is my interview with Amy whose shop, On Bended Needle, features beautiful handmade jewelry, inspired by Florida's Gulf Coast. I just love the ways she photographed her pieces. I hope you enjoy the interview....and the jewelry!

Be sure to check out the first and last ones below:  perfect for Valentine's Day!

Rorschach Necklace—Heart Shaped Pendant—Polymer Clay

Rorschach Necklace—Fantasy Highway—Polymer Clay

How did you come up with the name On Bended Needle?

When you beadweave, the tension you put on your beading needle tends to give it a permanent bend. Hence, the name "On Bended Needle". Just a cute play on words!

What got you started in your business?

I've created jewelry for years, as gifts for family and friends. They we're all telling me that I should start selling it, but as a typical artist, and not a business woman, I really didn't know how I would do that. Just by chance one day, I came across Etsy, looked around the site and liked what I saw, so here I am!

What did you do before this?

Oh, I still have my "day job", lol! My dream would be for this to take off and just create, but that's not my reality right now. I manage a boarding kennel for dogs and cats, which is great because I've always loved animals, but it's really hard physically and I'm not a spring chicken anymore! (I'm a grandma!)

Gazing Pool—Beadwoven Labradorite Pendant Necklace

Beadwoven Caged Seashell in Reds

What inspires your designs?

Mostly nature, especially when I vacation at the gulf coast in FL., but I'm also inspired by whatever beads or polymer clay that I'm working with at the time. You'll sometimes hear jewelry artists say, "The beads speak to me", and they really do! You start working with them sometimes with only a rough idea of what will come out in the end, and end up with something totally different from what you expected when you started! But that's okay, it keeps your work original!

What are 3 words that describe your work?

Unique, eclectic, complicated.

What are 3 words that describe you?

Shy, loving, complex

Do you have a favorite piece from your shop?

LOL! They're all my "babies", created by me! How does one pick one over the other? I suppose my favorite ones are the ones that incorporate beadweaving, as that is my medium of choice, even though I also love polymer clay. But, I don't have a "favorite one". I just want them all to be adopted by people who love them too!

What's your most productive time of day?

I'm a night owl for the most part, but the most productive time of day varies. Whenever the inspiration strikes!

Bee My Honey, Valentine Necklace

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

I would like for this to be something that will at the very least be a supplement to Social Security, lol! At the most? To be creative for the rest of my life and live off of my creations! To do what you truly love to do in life as a living would be awesome!

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Can't pick just one, it has to be two....my family, and the ability to be creative.