FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - NANSGLAM - Artisan Jewelry by Nancy Trujillo

Welcome, Nancy, and her Etsy shop NANSGLAM. I always ask the artist to send me a link to one of their favoriate items in their shop so that I can put it out here with their feature. I can see why the above bracelet is a favorite of Nancy's....WOW, it is so GORGEOUS! The colors, and texture, not to mention the beautiful leaf clasp. I'm happy Nancy agreed to share some of her thoughts and ideas with us regarding herself and her jewelry. After browsing through NANSGLAM, it would be very hard to find just one favorite, among all the elegant creations out there. Be sure to visit Nancy's shop and see for yourself!


What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I took a beading class at a local bead store and I was hooked! I now teach beading designs and techniques at that same store. It is so rewarding to be able to help fellow beaders learn new techniques and designs and to meet so many people with the same addiction as me!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

By taking so many different classes, I learned what materials and techniques I seemed drawn to. Along the way I also learned something about myself; I enjoy variety and seldom make more than one piece before I move onto something else. To give me that variety I crave for, I work with different metals, beads and gemstones. I never get bored that way. I still am a softy for the classic and romantic designs such as stringing pearls and will always create those pieces.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

When I get a special request to create or remake a piece of jewelry for a sentimental reason. A friend of mine asked me to re-string his two small puka shell necklaces into a bracelet and necklace that would fit him. He and his mother had got them when he was a child and his mother had recently passed away from cancer. When I showed him the two finished pieces, the look in his eyes was priceless; he said he would never take the bracelet off! That is very rewarding for me. I get special requests similar to the one I just explained quite a lot.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

That’s a hard one. I guess it would have to be an apple. Why? First because when you bite into them they are so refreshing and I hope that is what people feel when they see my jewelry. Second, there are so many different types and one can use them in so many different ways when cooking. You know what I like….variety!!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Restoring furniture. Is that a medium? I believe the older furniture was constructed very well and has such beauty. I love finding a piece that has been forgotten, that has that hidden potential, and perhaps adding vintage hardware and a new finish; in a sense giving it a new life!!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That it is wonderful to feel good about yourself. If I can create a piece of jewelry that helps someone feel good about themselves and their appearance when they put it on, then that pleases me very much.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Enjoy yourself. Don’t get frustrated if you are trying to earn a living with your creativity and can’t make ends meet. It can be slow and it takes a lot of work to get noticed when there are so many talented people out there using the internet, etc. Hang in there and don’t give up!

Great interview Nancy! How wonderful that you can take people's keepsakes and turn them into a lasting memory! What a good feeling that must be. Thanks again for taking the time to share!

FLICKR