Weekly Win It-Pretty Sweet Designs-CLOSED!!

I'm really excited to introduce this weeks Weekly Win It featured artist, Pretty Sweet Designs. Help me to welcome Judith, a fabulous jewelry designer who makes gorgeous beaded jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
As a fellow jewelry designer, I'm really impressed by her color combinations and the way she utilizes delicate chain and sparkling beaded charms to create her designs. Judith has a great Etsy shop and is usually running some sort of promotion or deal (way to work it girl!). I'm so excited that she has agreed to answer some questions about her inspirations and let us have a peek into how she creates her one-of-a-kind pieces. Let's get started, shall we!?

How did you get started making jewelry? I have always loved arts and crafts since I was little. I love making and doing things with my hands --- cooking, drawing, painting, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, etc. I have even tried refurbishing furniture! I can’t knit though. But I love assembling things. My favorite shops are craft stores, hardware stores (yeah it’s odd), and fabric shops.
I have been making jewelry since I was a kid. I used to make those beaded plastic bracelets when I was little. But I really got into it right after college when I started working. I would see pieces at the mall and I knew I could make my own if I just put my mind into it. And that I could make my own designs. I just started making jewelry and gave it away to my coworkers and friends. Then people started asking me to make some pieces for their friends and family. I came across Etsy last year and gave it a shot and started selling my work online.

Do you have any training or have you taken any classes? How did you learn your craft? I’ve never taken any classes or training on jewelry making. All I know about jewelry making is mostly from looking at different types of jewelry and figuring out how to do them. I guess you can say I learn from trial and error. But I have also learned a little from reading. I still consider myself a beginner and there are still a lot to learn.

Pink Charm Necklace

How do you come up with your jewelry designs? Where do you get your inspiration? I get my inspiration from everything around me. It depends on my mood what I come up with. Sometimes when I’m in the middle of doing something, a design will just pop up in my head. Then, I have to look at my beads and supplies and figure out how to make it. Sometimes it takes me 5 minutes to do a piece, sometimes it takes hours!

Where do you do your work? I have a little cluttered corner in our living room where I do my work.

Charm Bracelet (Caramel)

What is your favorite item of jewelry to make? I love making earrings! It’s something I always wear all the time, so I like making them and having lots of variety. Even my shop has lots of earrings listed in it.

Do you wear your own designs, and, have you ever liked something you created so much that you’ve hesitated selling it? I have a few pieces that I really like a lot that are not listed in my shop. I always wear my designs especially when I’m going out or going to a party so I can express and show off my work. I heard once from a chef to not dare serve what you don’t dare taste or eat. So you always have to taste what you’ve cooked first before serving it to other people. I guess the same rule applies with your work whatever type of artist you are. Why sell it to other people if you don’t wear it or like it?

Trio Cube Earrings

Great advice Judith (I love the philosophy you got from that chef-so true!!) It's wonderful to find out a little bit more about a terrific self-taught jewelry designer!

So...here's what Judith is offering one lucky JLC Studio reader in this week's give-away: Yellow Marble Earrings

These are sooo pretty (I wish I was eligible!!!). Just leave a comment on this post to enter for a chance to win this awesome pair of Yellow Marble Earrings! Please check here for contest rules and regulations. (If the winner is in the U.S., there will be free shipping. International winners will have to pay a small shipping fee (per shop profile).)

Pretty Sweet Designs is also offering a special promo for JLC Studio readers...if you place an order between now and April 13th, she will take care of shipping for you (on orders totalling more than $15.00)!! Just mention this blog post in the special notes to seller to take advantage of this offer. Visit the Pretty Sweet Designs Etsy shop to get your shop on, and don't forget to take a look at Judith's wonderful blog as well! Thanks again Judith, you're "Pretty Sweet" (ha ha, couldn't help myself!)!!