Tell us a bit about yourself name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Laura. I have a small line of one of a kind and limited edition jewelry that I share a name with. I used to make all kinds of things, but now I primarily make necklaces, playlists, and messes.
I grew up in New York, and spent a significant portion of my childhood in the area surrounding Florence, Italy. Since then I have lived in Boston, again in Italy, and now Chicago.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I'm usually planning my next move if I'm not making one. Running a small, "creative" business is a lot more than just creating things, which was not something I had anticipated. In fact, I would say that actually sitting down and physically making jewelry is one of the things I get to do the least.
When I am not working... hmm... I ride bikes, I throw down in the kitchen. I go out and drink whisky or margaritas. I dance even though I really can't, and run a tight game on the sales floor at my day job. I try and sleep past 8 am. Pretty average things.
What first made you want to become an artist?
Doing anything besides putting objects and ideas out there was never really an option. It's just my function. An artist is not something you become so much as you are or are not. I don't really see myself as an "artist". I think the first thing I ever really wanted to be was Madonna or a Disney Princess.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
My inclination has always been to start with objects that are already in existence and present them in a new context, so the process of making jewelry works well for me.
Sourcing objects and materials that spark my interest comes first, and then I build and re arrange from there. About 60-80% of the materials I use are vintage and or repurposed. Brass, 24kt gold, vintage chain, and semi-precious stones are some of my favorites to work with.
I'm drawn to contrasts and layers, heavy objects, symmetry and repetition. I try and make things that are raw and pared down, yet simultaneously statement worthy.
A lot of my time is spent just staring at components and half-realized ideas until they make sense to me. Making something, taking it apart, making it again until it works. I get really frustrated, I get really excited.
As far as production is concerned, most of the action takes place on my kitchen table. I'm definitely a morning person. The quality of my ideas are at their highest and my productivity is at its peak between 9am and 1pm.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Artwork and notes from people I know and have known.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.
Books have kind of fallen by the wayside as of late, but I like to have lots of them around me. In piles. Not on shelves. I have a lot of artist's monographs, zines and Bukowski lying around.
I love films by
David Lynch
Todd Solondz
Alejandro Jodorowsky
And cult horror films.
I wouldn't say these are my absolute favorite artists (I could never decide), but artists that are emblematic of my musical tastes: Junior Boys, His Hero is Gone, Mobb Deep (circa 1995), Sonic Youth. Oh and La Bouche, of course.
I love the internet. My favorites bar is out of control, but here are a few.
TheSelby
Notcouture
Twitter
Scout-Holiday.com/blog
oogaboogastore
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
You know, I'm still figuring it out myself. But here is what I have learned thus far: Take great pictures. Upload Often. Etsy is a great community. Play nice, work hard, have fun.
What are your favorite features on Etsy? What new features would you like to see?
I heart hearting things. I wish I could arrange the order of things in my shop, and select an area to crop for an item's thumbnail image. Sometimes I take a great photo, but the area that is automatically selected for the thumbnail image looks awful as a tiny square.
How do you promote your work?
I'm kind of a private person when it comes to what I produce so I'm very bad about promoting... I have a blog and a twitter account, but use them to talk about usually anything and everything BUT the things I make.
I try and stay as active as I can on Etsy, since uploading frequently is its own, and in my opinion, the most effective way of promoting. As far as promoting in the physical world is concerned, I always keep business cards on hand, and I do events here and there.
In ten years I'd like to be...
In a bigger room at a bigger table making bigger things. |
