Marking Your Moments....An Interview With The Desinger Behind Studio La Bue

10% OFF ANYTHING IN THE SHOP...read for info....

I recently came across a Great shop on Etsy called Studio La Bue,  http://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioLaBue.  It is a fairly new shop on Etsy and opened Oct. 2010.  The artist and owner is Emily Roedl.  She is the sweetest thing.  We have had many conversations back and forth through our shops on   Etsy.  I bought one of her necklaces (pictured above) and received SO MANY compliments.  I wore it one day at our church (which is the biggest in Savannah, GA) and it was a day I was singing with the choir.  You would not believe how many people commented on the necklace and wanted one.  I love all the colors she uses and the vintage look and feel of the pieces.  I remember as a child going through my mom's jewelry box and finding tons of flower pins that looked similar to this necklace.  So for me to buy this, was very nostalgic for me.  Emily tells me that she has sold a lot of her pieces to the lovely people of Wisconsin before opening a shop on Etsy.

 Emily was gracious enough to grant me an interview with her...although I took FOREVER to post it...sorry Emily. :)  Emily lives in Southeastern Wisconsin.  She is very busy being a mom, but is also a Dental Hygienist. Hope you like getting to know Emily from Studio La Bue as much as I have enjoyed my conversations with her on Etsy.  She is offering my followers and readers here on my blog a 10% discount on any purchase.  Use the coupon code: FRIENDS at checkout.


 Emily first let me thank you again for doing this interview with me.  I know you are a busy mom.  Can you tell us a little about your life at home (your kids, etc.)?

Living in a old cheese factory-in Wisconsin, non the less, can make being home with the family a destination! Out in the country, we are surrounded by trees, open spaces, creeks and flowers. There is a natural spring right in our own backyard! Of course, in the winter, it is mostly just snow.  Together, my husband and three kids (Sophia 7, Sam 8, and LuLu 4mo) and I spend lots of time keeping up with life as best we can! We fill in the gaps with ice skating, sledding, biking, walking, cooking, reading, watching movies and many projects!

See...I was right...you are BUSY!!  Now, other than being a mom and wife and hygienist, you have this GREAT shop on Etsy.  Your jewelry pieces are so feminine.  I love all the flowers.  Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration is all around me-but I find it mostly in stories.  People have them, places do, and nature has its share as well.  I have a desire to mark time and moments-like leaving a mark on a trail.  A piece of my jewelry can represent a short trail of marks that together lead to a memory for someone.  Flowers play a big roll in many special moments in peoples lives-the things that we want to remember.  A new birth, a special relative passing on, a birthday, a wedding...a first love.  What do flowers make you think of? When you take a second look at my shop...take a deeper look, and find one of your own special moments-and mark it! I hope that my jewelry can give you a sense of true personal style-by being personal!

That is really awesome!  Personally flowers make me thing of Spring, happiness, beauty, and romance.  I love how you say to mark one of your special moments.  So true.  Many of us let those moments come and go with out a second thought.  

Where do you do most of your designing?  Do you have a studio or
specific place in the house? 

My design space is right in our busy living space. I find that I work best surrounded by my family-not secluded in a separate room.  My work table is covered with beads, finds, and trays of supplies-I like to be able to see the colors and textures right in front of me. 

Well, lets hope your space to design is cleaner than mine is right now!  I have a studio, but I find myself constantly bringing my things to do out to the living area of the house.  Then my mess extends out... lol.  

How long have you been designing jewelry?

I started designing jewelry about four years ago, mostly for myself and friends and family first.

I would have never have guessed it was that recent.  Your designs seem to be made from someone who has been making jewelry their whole life. Now, what is your background, if any, in the arts?

Growing up, my mom was a fiber artist and taught me to sew at a very young age. She still weaves rugs to this day! My dad is a painter and strongly encouraged my creativity as a child. In high school, I earned scholarships for art and went on to attend college at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids MI. Somewhat of a rebel, I changed art majors several times. After traveling, moving several times, and a few children later-I returned to school for dental hygiene.  I think I needed my degree backing me to give me the confidence to pursue my creative dreams.

I wonder how many of us artists change our major TONS of times...I know I did.  I know many artists are the "rebels" in their schools.  

What is your most favorite piece you have designed recently?  Why it is your favorite or
if there is a story behind it:

I have been working mostly on the flower necklaces that are a staple in my shop, to prepare for my spring show in March. I kind of got distracted long enough to do some more industrial pieces-and I love how they turned out! The one pictured features a bit of measuring tape-reminding me of my childhood days sewing with my mother.  The other little pieces were inspired by my sewing drawer-filled with those little mechanical parts that all have some purpose-that only my mother would know!!!

Those pieces are so creative!  I am sure many jewelry designers you either look up to or have been inspired by.  Can you  name three of your favorite jewelers...either on Etsy or main stream (commercial)?

I love unique jewelry designed by individuals-there are not too many commercial designs that I am drawn to.   Anthropologie has some great designs and I love the colors they use in their clothing as well.

I have to agree with that.  Who doesn't like Anthropologie???  I can see that style and inspiration in your pieces.  
 
Now here are two wild card questions:
If you were a color...what would you be and why?

Gray. Its neutral, calming and goes with many other colors.  I would like to be as flexible and have the ability to compliment others with my personality and talents!

If your newest design could talk...what would it tell you?

I find that as a designer, my goal is to create pieces that speak to you.  Every piece I make has thoughts and feelings behind it, but I am only the starting point! 


Thanks for your time doing this interview Emily.  Make sure you check out her shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioLaBue 
YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

You can meet Emily in person at the Alliant Energy Center on March 26th  at the Art show in Madison WI.  She will be there selling her beautiful designs.  Tell her Nicolette from Lil Lollipops Designs sent you!

I will observe the silence for Japan

Click here to help: http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

 

I really can not say anymore about this than was already said so elegantly by chickything.  You can read her post about this here http://chickything.blogspot.com/2011/03/let-us-all-show-we-care-shall-we.html   

What I will add is this...for whatever it is worth:

If anyone can get out of this mess...it is Japan.  There are some GENIUS brains who live there and HARD workers and people with GREAT hearts.  My prayers are with you!

And the winner is.....

Thank you to all of you who entered my Facebook Fan Giveaway.  I wish I could have given a skirt to all of you!!!!  Don't worry...there will be more chances to win as more giveaways will come.  :)  Congratulations to

Sandi Maruszczak-Potempa!!!!!

 Now I just need to get a hold of you somehow to get your address and find out what size ruffle skirt you would like and in what colors!  :)  Thanks again to all who entered.

 

Leprechauns...St. Patty's Day Whimsy For Your Kiddos

I LOVE ETSY!!!!  Amazing sellers and items there.  Let me show you what came in the mail this week:

We have some Irish in us and I wanted to make this holiday special somehow with my kids, not just in a religious sense...as we already do.  I wanted to add childlike excitement and whimsy.  So this is what I did...
  I contacted this Etsy shop that made garden gnome doors.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ozarkkountrycrafts  I asked them if they could make me a custom leprechaun door.  They were VERY accommodating and sweet. This is what they came up with for the design.  The wood is carved or etched...the quality is VERY good.  It has real hinges and a real door knocker.  I can not believe it was only 18.50!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ozarkkountrycrafts
When I opened the package it the smell of wood and finish smelled delicious.  Love that smell!  Think it reminds me of my dad.  He did a lot of wooden models and things in the garage when he was alive.

So this is how I used this door:
During the week leading up to St. Patty's Day my husband and I would hide some nails in the yard (make sure you know where they are and find them WITH your children...of course don't let them handle nails).  We hid small pieces of wood here and there and a small hammer.  Periodically during the week when we would play outside, we would find one of these objects.  We would say..."oh...looks like the Leprechaun is building his home somewhere.  I wonder where he will build it?"  or "Look, the Leprechaun dropped his hammer here...he must be up to mischief."
The day before St. Patty's day, while the kids were napping, I put the door out in the yard.  You can put it up against a tree...like I did, up against a bush, a rock, a stump...anything you can think of.  When they woke up...we went outside.  Look what they found!!!

 

They were soooooo excited!!!  This is Gwyneth.  She ran in and got her camera to take her own picture of it.  I encouraged her to open the door...she couldn't at first.  I said, "Well how about we knock with the door knocker and then try to open it.  Maybe he wants us to be polite."  She knocked and I opened it.    Sure enough, it opened after the little knock.   I told her to look in.  I asked her if she saw his home with his little green furniture and stuff.  She said, "No, I just see the tree inside."  I replied, "Oh that silly leprechaun!!!!  He must have put a magic trick on it so we can't see in his house!"

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ozarkkountrycrafts 

The next day, St. Patty's Day, the Leprechaun was up to all sorts of mischief.  They found there tooth brushes in the bath tub when they went to brush their teeth.   The found barbies hanging from lights...toys were hidden in strange spots throughout the day.  Things were upside down.  Every time they found another one of his mischievous tricks, they CRACKED UP!!!  It was the cutest thing.  

Later in the day they found gold coins that he had dropped on the ground hear his home (good thing we had left over Chuck E. Cheese coins).  And when daddy comes home, they will find more coins on the ground outside...this time coins that the Leprechaun is tricking them with.  Instead of real gold coins, they will be chocolate golden coins.  :)  

HAHA Gwyneth and Logan with the gold they found.---Gwyn not mad...just sun in her eyes.

I love seeing my kids imaginations run wild.  It brings so much fun and joy into their lives, but also into my life.  We forget to have fun as adults...our imaginations are taken up with worry and responsibilities.  

I hope this gives you ideas on things to do to add more whimsy and fantasy to your families life.  Whimsical traditions are always fun.  They are only young for a short time.  Teach them to use their imaginations and creativity so that they will never lose that child-like spirit even as adults.  

Oh and one last note...for breakfast we made green eggs and ham and green orange juice!  :)  Well, it is actually vegetarian bacon...but you get the idea.  HAVE A GREAT ST. PATTY'S DAY!

NEW TUTORIAL!!!!

Check out my new and very first tutorial on my Tutorial page.  Look at the tab above that says tutuorials...click on there and learn to make this:

http://lillollipopsdesigns.blogspot.com/p/tutorials.html

FREE RUFFLE SKIRT GIVEAWAY sponsored by Lil Lollipops Designs!

Are you one of my Facebook fans?  If not, maybe you want to become one.  I do different drawings and offer different coupons on FB than I do here on my blog.  Right now I am offering a free giveaway for one of my custom ruffle skirts!!!!!  FREE SKIRT!!!  Just like my page...and comment on the post to be entered into the drawing...spread the word to your friends.  Especially if you know a family or friend who is struggling in this economy and has a lil girl.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lil-Lollipops-Designs/114328484791

Coming up....Tomorrow I will be listing an interview with a jewelry artist on Etsy.  You won't want to miss it!!!  Her stuff is so unique!!  Check back for what she will be offering us!
Ciao!