Feature Friday - Eko Jewelry Design

It's Friday night! Let's get fancy!

Dancin' Skirt? Check! Cute shoes? Check! Show stopping jewlery?... Coming right up!

Today's interview is with a jewelry designer who's got a great eye for balance and color. She creates a variety of necklace and earring styles using a spectrum of colored Swarovski crystals, beads, and stones. My favorite piece (which also happens to be her favorite!) is the Bryonie Necklace. I love how she skillfully mixes shades of green and various textures. It looks so extravagant, yet light and airy at the same time. So pretty!

Enjoy the bauble and bangle goodness!

1. What is your shop name and URL?

eko jewelry design
http://ekojewelrydesign.etsy.com

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

SF Etsy Street Team.

3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

I’m a jewelry designer, and in my shop I offer sterling silver chain necklaces and earrings made mainly with crystal and glass beads. I give my necklaces names as part of their unique identities. I make matching earrings for each necklace, and customers can also choose to mix and match with other earrings.

I became interested in jewelry design one day when a friend showed me how to make a simple beaded necklace. From that day on I became addicted and realized that jewelry-making was my passion.

I enjoy making cluster necklaces by randomly adding a variety of bead textures, but I also like to design systematically aligned and planned-out pieces. I sometimes happen to discover a look that I like through experimentation; then I follow my instincts and let the inspiration flow. This process reminds me of how Japanese writer Yasunari Kawabata wrote his most well known book, Snow Country. The novel doesn’t have a plot, per se; it’s an integration of different pieces published in various literary journals over the years. Kawabata crafted a novel out of beautiful and poetic haiku-like descriptions of short scenes in a spontaneous way, without knowing how the book would end. And I take inspiration in my jewelry making from this process.

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I love cooking, especially Italian cuisine. I also like to cook Japanese food, both traditional and fusion, such as pasta with Japanese touches. Taste and presentation are essential in the culinary arts, and the possibilities are endless. I also love music. I play classical piano and also listen to pop music and sing and dance along. Cooking and listening to and playing music are ways I recharge my creativity energy.

5. What inspires your creations?

Everything around me—from nature to clothing. Also, the radiance of the crystals. I find the wide variety of shades of Swarovski crystals mesmerizing. It reminds me of when I was practicing the art of kimono, where things like color combination and seasonal reference are so crucial. I think this kind of sensitivity is reflected in my jewelry. I’m constantly thinking of the color palette.

Fashion inspires me a lot, too, since I grew up in Japan, which is a fashion-oriented society. It’s a way to bring out one’s inner side out, and jewelry should complement this. I aim to create elegant jewelry with a modern twist; a look that can be worn with timeless formal attire, but that can go well with a hip and trendy outfit or casual jeans. I intend for my jewelry to allow every person to express her personality through the selection and coordination of the piece, making it truly shine.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54167339/bryonie-necklace-sterling-silver-chain
The Bryonie (a climbing plant) necklace with multi-textured beads forming a cluster is my current favorite. This is the first piece of my cluster necklace series. Based on my image of vines in the field, I started dangling various shades of green as my inspiration took shape. This exploration process was lots of fun, so it came out as a playful piece that reflected my mood.

7. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I’m starting to learn silver soldering and am working with precious metal clay (PMC) to expand my horizons. I’m also planning to take a class on metal art, which is really exciting. I hope to offer silver jewelry pieces in my shop soon.

8. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Website:
http://www.ekojewelrydesign.com

Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43197386955

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!