A friend sent me info on a writer for the handmade section of my shop. For featured designer, spotlight.

I sent a note to her a couple of days ago figuring cool but if i do not hear back, cool still. lol

Well i heard back today. I got up from my napping and checked my mail and there it was.

They may use it, they may not, but i wanted to share it with you here. Today has not been a good day, or week. After my blog earlier i figured some would be stepping back from me, and some didn’t. So i wanted to share something good with you.

I hope this is cool to do and i will not mention her name. Here is my interview.
Let me know if i sounded like a goober...it’s all new to me.

xoxo

----------------
1. When did you realize you have a gift for your craft (jewelry making)?
—I have a gift? lol It started by playing with beads with my 12 year old twins girls. Then one day I broke a bracelet, and fixed it. It looked even better than before, so I thought, ‘why not make some jewelry.’

2. Were you encouraged by friends or family to pursue this as a career or did you have to fight for it?
—I had done web design for 11 years and when I told my family and friends what I was trying now, they were excited! They all wanted jewelry. lol My husband asked if it made me happy. When I said yes, he said that’s all he needed to hear.  

3. What moves you to create a piece of jewelry?
—Not sure what moves me. It is more of a feeling, if that makes any sense. There are times I get a piece all together and then in the next minute it is apart and made into something different.  

4. Blue is used a lot in your pieces?
—It is? lol  

What is it about that color that makes you use it so often?
—I really have never thought about it or noticed that. I’ll have to check that out. I do love silver, and in my opinion blue, any shade really, looks so pretty with it.

What other colors speak to you that way?
— Again, not something I consciously think about. Back to the ‘what moves me’ question. It is a feeling about what I see and feel in my mind.  

5. You’ve been living with MS for more than 12 years. As the time has moved on, how has your condition impacted your work?
—I do not think there is a big change as I have progressed in my disease. The only impact is it takes me longer to get things done.

Not just in terms of making it more difficult, but have you learned how, or if, it can be used as motivation to make a statement in your work?
—As a statement of some sort, hmmmm, maybe others will look at those with disabilities in a different light. That even though our craft chair may be on wheels, or in a bed, that we can still be useful. I do know that for me, being someone who always worked and was a creative person that making jewelry and web design gave me a new light on life. I felt worthy again, it gave me back so much.

6.With three children and working from home, how do you manage the balance between business woman and owner with being a parent?
I only create/design when my children are in school. During their vacations maybe 3 hours a day 3 times a week. My daughters have also designed a few pieces in the shop. They understand better now that they are older. And they are so very supportive. They have always known mommy, with my disease, so for them it is normal. Whatever normal is. lol I am also very blessed with an amazing husband!  

7. What.#8217;s your favorite piece you designed?
—Tough one. I think my favorites are my awareness items as they all hold a special place in my heart. My mom and sister are Breast Cancer survivors, and that jewelry stemmed from them. I have a few dear friends with fibro and also know some amazing soldiers fighting for our Country. So, the awareness and support items are my favorite(s).  

8. What piece broke your heart when it sold?
—The only items in my shop that you will ever see duplicated are my awareness items. But, on the rare occasion I will make a special one-of-a-kind awareness item. The one in question was a charm style Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet. I was happy when it sold straight away, but it was also kind of sad. It was the first of its kind.

Do you become attached to some of your pieces?
There have been a few I have worn around the house, you know, to make sure they are sturdy. lol The always get cleaned and shined before going in to their organza bag.  

9.What makes your work unique?
—Honestly, the extra bit of care and time it takes to make them. Especially when my hands decide not to work properly in the middle of something. I will not stop until it is is done right!  

10. What advice can you give to other jewelry makers?
—Advice, from me? hmmm To follow their dreams and keep creating no matter what obstacles jump in their way, to always remember there is hope!

11. What lesson do you still have to learn?
—Everything! I find everyday is a new lesson, we just have to open our hearts and minds and seize it!