Monday, April 27, 2009
Getting to know the artisans - Sonja
Here's the second 'installment' in the Artfire artisan interview series. Sonja, from the US, who makes jewellery.
Your name
Sonja :: website ::
Where in the world are you?
Akron Ohio
Briefly describe yourself and what you make
I am a (slightly) older than 40 married mom and I make jewelry.
Who or what inspires you?
Almost anything can inspire me from nature, to color combinations to everyday life. I have a pendant series that was inspired by a painting in a restaurant that we were having dinner at. My husband is very patient when I whip out the pen and start drawing on a napkin lol!
Why do you 'bother' to make things by hand?
Because I love to do it. I have to have something in my hands to do and hand made is good for the environment, generally better made than most mass produced items, made with love and good for my soul.
What is your craft ”philosophy”?
Make the best piece that you can, with the best materials that you can afford and never stop learning and improving what you do.
Fondest craft-related memory?
Crayons. I loved crayons as a kid and opening up that big box of colors was opening a world of possibilities every time. I still love a beautiful box of crayons although I color with rocks, glass and metal now.
Is your art/ craft a business as well? Any advice on running an arty/ crafty business?
Yes, and I hope to build it into a full time business and quit my day job. Although I am sure that is still several years away.
Be prepared to work very hard, learn every aspect of your business inside and out and be prepared for it to take some time to get off the ground.
What impact (if any) has the internet had on your craft?
Without the internet it would have taken me much longer to learn what I know and to start a business. I am not sure that this could be business without the internet since most of my selling takes place on line.
If you could make any project without limits to cost, materials or even skill, what would it be?
A new wedding ring set for myself and my husband. While I could do a simple one now, I would love to make a really complicated but simple set using several techniques and stones that I cut myself. He has been sooo patient with my obsessive need to create and so supportive in letting me try out new things until I found my real passion that I would just love to make something that is a testament to that.
Here's the second 'installment' in the Artfire artisan interview series. Sonja, from the US, who makes jewellery.
Your name
Sonja :: website ::
Where in the world are you?
Akron Ohio
Briefly describe yourself and what you make
I am a (slightly) older than 40 married mom and I make jewelry.
Who or what inspires you?
Almost anything can inspire me from nature, to color combinations to everyday life. I have a pendant series that was inspired by a painting in a restaurant that we were having dinner at. My husband is very patient when I whip out the pen and start drawing on a napkin lol!
Because I love to do it. I have to have something in my hands to do and hand made is good for the environment, generally better made than most mass produced items, made with love and good for my soul.
What is your craft ”philosophy”?
Make the best piece that you can, with the best materials that you can afford and never stop learning and improving what you do.
Crayons. I loved crayons as a kid and opening up that big box of colors was opening a world of possibilities every time. I still love a beautiful box of crayons although I color with rocks, glass and metal now.
Is your art/ craft a business as well? Any advice on running an arty/ crafty business?
Yes, and I hope to build it into a full time business and quit my day job. Although I am sure that is still several years away.
Be prepared to work very hard, learn every aspect of your business inside and out and be prepared for it to take some time to get off the ground.
Without the internet it would have taken me much longer to learn what I know and to start a business. I am not sure that this could be business without the internet since most of my selling takes place on line.
If you could make any project without limits to cost, materials or even skill, what would it be?
A new wedding ring set for myself and my husband. While I could do a simple one now, I would love to make a really complicated but simple set using several techniques and stones that I cut myself. He has been sooo patient with my obsessive need to create and so supportive in letting me try out new things until I found my real passion that I would just love to make something that is a testament to that.
scribbled by Carina 4/27/2009 02:00:00 PM
Please note: as of December 2009 this blog has moved to carinascraftblog.wardi.dk,
and commenting has been disabled on this version of the blog. If you would like to leave a comment please follow
the link and use the archive or label links to find the post in its new place. Also, if you have followed a link or
bookmark to this post, please update it as this 'old' version may not stay live forever. Thank you.
Older posts (by month)
Clicking on the links in this dropdown menu will take you to the page of the chosen month on the new version of this blog.