My name is Wen and I make colorful jewelry out of my home studio in the sunny San Francisco Bay Area.
In my previous life, I was a senior research analyst working at the Judicial Council of California. My job was to provide evidence-based research data to support policymaking in the judicial council in the areas of family law and juvenile delinquency and dependency court administration. Very different from what I am doing now, huh?

I grew up in Taiwan in the mid -70s and 80s. The mentality during that time in terms of education is for a child to just focus on the academic and nothing else. Get a good grade, pass the entrance exams, and then get into the best public high schools and colleges. I did not question much when I was growing up. I studied hard and got into good schools all the way. I did it right in every aspect. It's funny that my dad is an artist. He is a composer and plays piano and violin. However, getting a good grade in academics is still a safer way to go, he told me. Though I always know I have a thing for beautiful things. I was very good at making things since I was 6 or 7 and art classes were my favorite in school. I once saw a purse for myself out of leftover white linen fabric used in my grandpa's funeral (if you are from Taiwan you'll know what I was referring to).

I came to the United States in 1995 to pursue my graduate degrees in Educational Psychology. I was amazed about all the local craft fairs and amused about all the different majors that I haven't heard about when I was in Taiwan such as textile designs, for example, because it belongs to vocational schools or junior colleges. I finished my degrees and enjoyed the time in graduate school. I finally got my Ph.D. in early intervention and policy research and was happy to get out of school for all those years. Six years fast forward, I found that I could just be as proud and happy in creating stuff to make other people happy too. Thanks to Etsy. It provides an easier way for me to discover this truth.

My jewelry has gone through a lot of changes but I've tried to stay true to expressing what I love and who I am. I am inspired by things around me and try to capture the beauty in them. I adore vintage jewelry so I am drawn towards glamorous pieces and colorful creations. What drives me to keep creating and making is when I receive messages from my customers like this one from Maya in Pittsburgh that she posted on Sora Designs' Facebook: "I am wearing my double happiness necklace today and cannot tell you how many people have stopped me to comment on it. I personally love it so much. I love all of my Sora Designs!!! Thank you for making such beautiful pieces that make me and others smile!"

I recently started a new collection and put them in another Etsy shop under "Sora Designs Black". For this collection, I am focused on minimal lines and shapes using geometric findings and will continue to create a smaller seasonal collection. Check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/soradesignsblack

I really enjoy creating custom pieces for my customers for their weddings and that special handmade gift. I encourage you to challenge me with your ideas!

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