Sunday, February 14, 2010
Switching Things Up
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sweet Plum Vintage Jewelry Company Owner Dishes on Inspiration and Her Business
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I'm introducing a new feature on my blog: Q&A's with creative types who are doing something interesting and unique that deserves attention. Cara Rosaen, Ann Arbor resident and owner of a handcrafted vintage button jewelry company called Sweet Plum Vintage, kindly agreed to let me feature her first.
**Note to readers: Cara is graciously offering 25% off your first Sweet Plum Vintage purchase. Mention that you read this post in the comments section of the checkout and you'll be refunded 25%. Ladies - it's a good excuse for a Valentine's Day purchase for yourself!
Now, on to the questions...
Your jewelry made from vintage buttons is so creative and artsy. How did you decide to focus solely on vintage buttons?
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Have you always made jewelry? Was there a point in your life where you knew you were destined for jewelry making?
What motivates/inspires you? It can be a person, Web site, TV show, musician...anything!
1) The natural environment, with all of its organic, textural, awe-inspiring beauty.
2) The vintage pieces themselves: the buttons, old ribbon, old pieces of costume jewelry, watch parts, old buckles, old board game pieces....anything I think could be turned into jewelry.
3) Folk music: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Nanci Griffith, Alison Krauss, Taj Mahal...any of these people can transport me into a place where my heart sings and creativity can flow.
4) Other artists! Some of my most recent obsessions include:
BroadStreet : http://www.etsy.com/shop/BroadStreet
Kathi Roussel jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathiroussel
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Did you have a career before jewelry making? If so, what made you stroll down this new path?
Totally. My work offers me the wonderful challenge of having to create something new each time I sit down. Every piece I make is one of a kind, so I have to essentially start from a blank slate each time I want to create a new piece.
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Do you have any "must read" books, blogs or Web sites for others pursuing a similar career?
"The Complete Metalsmith" by Tim McCreight
"Craft, Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business" by Meg Mateo Ilasco
Currently reading: "The E-Myth" by Michael E. Gerber (I've been told it is a must read for any small business owner!)
"Apartment Therapy" http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
"Creative Kismet" http://blog.creativekismet.com/
"Modish" http://modish.typepad.com/
"The Storque" http://www.etsy.com/storque/
Monday, February 8, 2010
Word-Up! Talking Trashing For Kids and Dictionaries
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Engaging in good-natured trash talking can be fun, right? Add to that a 70’s-themed tennis tournament (complete with a disco ball) that will benefit The Dictionary Project I’m supporting, and you’ve got Word-Up (Facebook event page).