FEATURED ETSY SHOP - KI DESIGNS

Domed Pendant Hand stamped personalized necklace

CLICK on above necklace to learn more about this item

WELCOME, Karen and her Etsy shop KI DESIGNS. If you are looking for unique hand-stamped, sterling silver jewelry that you can personalize with names, dates and phrases that have special meaning to you, your loved ones and friends, be sure to visit KI DESIGNS. Her necklaces would make lovely, special gift ideas.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I was making jewelry for myself and for family and friends. People were so happy to receive my creations and would tell me how they treasured them. I wanted to branch out and do this for other people, so I started my own little hand stamped jewelry business.

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

I saw a hand stamped piece in a magazine and was intrigued. I researched everything I needed to know to get started. I was already making bead and wire jewelry so I already had some knowledge about jewelry making.

Blessed Necklace - Personalized Birthstone Necklace, Jewelry

CLICK on photo to learn more about this necklace

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

When I sell something in person, the greatest satisfaction is in people's reactions when they love their piece. It's not quite the same doing online sales, but it is still rewarding. I recently did a custom piece for a woman who had lost her sister unexpectedly in an accident and wanted something special to wear in her memory. The woman's email after she received the necklace brought tears to my eyes.

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

I would have to say a grape. Not really sure why. Maybe because they are small, like my jewelry. They are very tasty.

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

Well, my other creative outlet, besides my hand stamped jewelry and regular beaded jewelry, is scrapbooking. It is very relaxing for me and I get to express myself.

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

I want to convey that jewelry can be a personal expression. I love doing custom work. I like the challenge of coming up with a design that will express how someone feels.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Remember that you should enjoy what you are doing. If you don't love it, you won't enjoy it. Also, start slowly. I started off selling to people I knew, and little by little my business grew. I eventually moved on to online sales, and now to Etsy.

Thanks, Karen, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity here on DZFANTASY. Your work has a charming elegance to it.

To learn more about Karen and her creations, visit the links below.

KI DESIGN WEB PAGE

BLOG

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - CHRISTEN LARGENT, METALSMITH

Journal Circle Bracelet with Birthstone Setting

Customize with your choice of words in my NEW Journaling Lowercase Font. Shiny or Oxidized Finish

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this item

I'm happy to bring you the fine designs of Christen Largent, Metalsmith from Etsy. You really must pay a visit to Christen's shop to see all of her great jewelry designs. There is a wide variety of items in her shop. Christen offers customized/inscribed bangles, bracelets, personalized pendants for both men and women, gorgeous rings, and more....!

Let's read Christen's interview below to get a bit more of an insight into this talented jewelry artist.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always worked with my hands, (I'll spare you the line-up of mediums over the years!!) but around the time that my son was born, I started wire-working...making jewelry, teaching the art, etc. and as I was working with wire, I realized that there were limitations. My dad did some metalsmithing in school, so he gave me my first lesson in soldering and the rest is history!

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

It found me! First with wire and then just all-out metal! I'm basically a crow anyway - anything pretty and shiny and I'm in love!

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

A challenge - thinking up an impossible piece with a bazillion soldering joints and seeing it all come together...it's like I've conquered the limitations of metal!! I'm not even a REALLY, REALLY experienced metalsmith, so I can't wait to see what the future brings!

Spring Crocus Stacked Sterling Rings . set of three

made to order in your size (whole, half or quarter sizes)

CLICK on the ring's photo to learn more about this item

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

This is a great question because I LOVE to garden....I think I will say a tomato because if you've ever seen a successful tomato farmer, and ask him how his tomatoes are so healthy and prolific, he'll tell you it takes years of practice, knowing what the tomatoes need in order to thrive and tender loving care. And that's exactly what metalsmithing takes. You can't just say one day "I think I'll metalsmith"! and just jump in and start making beautiful things. It takes learning the "rules" (science behind metal and flame), having the right tools, and a great deal of patience and tender loving care, and YEARS AND YEARS of practice. You're going to melt things down, you're going to burn and cut yourself, but you just keep going!

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

I am an avid scrapbooker and LOVE layout design. It is somewhat similar to building a piece of jewelry too!

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

My message, first and foremost, is the beauty of nature and the awesomeness of God who created it! I get inspired EVERY DAY when I look around me! God created metal and the physical properties of metal too, so I'm grateful all the way around!!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find something that you LOVE and do it with all your heart, soul and mind! It's great to be able to sell it, but if it's a choice of something that nourishes your soul or something that nourishes your bank account, choose your soul!!!

Christen, thank you for a delightful interview! It was fun learning more about the artist behind the beautiful jewelry, and to see your work.

If you'd like to see more of Christen's creations, be sure to click on the photos and link below.