Wednesday, April 2, 2008

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!)!!

63 comments:

Beadbug00 said...

Very pretty jewelry ! The earrings are fab ! I would love to win them ;)

Unknown said...

What beautiful jewerly...I would love to win anything you showed...

Cindy said...

I love the whole idea of beads as charms. The earrings are gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Another wonderful feature, and her work is so lovely - I especially like the pink necklace and the earrings are beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful jewelry and great pictures of them. I would love to be entered in your contest.
I'm also having a contest to win a zippered pouch for anyone who wants to stop by.

Anonymous said...

The last pair of earring are my fav! Great interview Jen!

A Blond And A Torch said...

What a great feature! And her designs are gorgeous!

Pretty Sweet Designs said...

wow! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this. So exciting! :D Whoo hooo!

MillieDog Designs said...

GORGEOUS!

Voleur de Bijoux said...

Great Blog!!

Great interview, too...What a
great way to learn more about
the artist behind the jewelry.

I love your work PrettySweet!!

Valerie Shultz said...

The earrings are gorgeous, as always! Love your work, pretty.

Anonymous said...

lovely shop, the jewelry is wonderful

Caitlin said...

absolutely beautiful!
What a neat idea to feature artists like this. :D

Little Pods Clothing said...

they are gorgeous, and your feature/interview was wonderful.

Bonghi Nautra said...

what beautiful jewelry! Great Feature, and awesome giveaway!

HeatherAlexander said...

"Pretty Sweet" does wonderful work. She is a great artist.

I am having a contest on my blog too. All are welcome to join in.

Good luck "pretty sweet" with your fabulous work

TexasTesla said...

Nice bracelets!

EcoInsomniac said...

My girlfriend would absolutely love these.

Anonymous said...

i love the charm necklace and bracelet!

The Double Dipped Life said...

Wonderful work! love the earrings!

http://doubledippedsweets.blogspot.com

/// said...

WHOA--- it's a comment explosion over here! :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely earrings! Anyone would be lucky to win these!

Chocolate and Steel said...

Her work is very classy.

Taleri said...

very elegant.:)

mainemadness said...

Very beautiful earrings! I especially love the pink charm necklace. So glad I saw this on IndiePublic!

Hugs, Casie
vintageimagemadness.etsy.com

Dawn said...

Simply gorgeous! I'd love to win these. Thanks for the giveaway!

woolies said...

GEORGEOUS earrings. !!! I love them. Also the rest of her work, in fact, I have to go check out her shop!!
:0)

Anonymous said...

All of your things are soo lovely.You have amazing talent!
Vicki Parks

John said...

Very nice article ! I really like the charm bracelet in the etsy shop, brown black and white charm bracelet !!

Brit said...

Those are beautiful earrings! I'd love to win them (or any of her other stuff, for that matter)

- Brit
http://nerdymoments.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, lovely jewelery!!

Rhonda said...

Gorgeous earrings! What a wonderful promotion - please put my name in the hat for them. THANKS!!

Helen1949 said...

Very nice. I would love to wear these.

TotusMel said...

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one working in a cluttered corner of the living room!

Star said...

Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Love those marble earrings.

pootieposh said...

This beautiful jewelry inspires me to get back into creating my own pieces. Thanks for this great contest!

Samantha P said...

ooo, those earrings are beautiful~

Unknown said...

i really love their jewelry, so pretty!

misternat1 said...

love the charm bracelet

nat
misternat1@cox.net

Unknown said...

I just LOVE the beautiful jewelry!

Mrs.Kwitty said...

Beautiful jewelry from a skilled jewelry artist! I love these blog interviews--it's fun to learn a bit about how other people tick. Thanks for the interview and the pretty earrings to give away!
Smiles, Karen

Alex Whatton said...

Here I thought that I had already entered this contest, but I wasn't so sure, so I can to check - and I am SO HAPPY that I did! I cannot believe that I might have missed out on the chance to win such beautiful earrings by such a talented artist! Thank you for this opportunity JLC Studio!

~ Alex (of MarthaHaskins)

Anonymous said...

Very pretty jewlery.I love your shop. :)

CurlyGirlCrochet.etsy.com said...

What beautiful work! I would love to win the beautiful yellow marble earrings. Thank you very much for entering me in your drawing :)

Anonymous said...

What a great article! I love your work, such pretty things. I love those earrings!
♥Wishing myself good luck♥

Anonymous said...

These are so beautiful!! i hope i win!!!

Anita Yancey said...

So very pretty! I would really love to win these.

Grateful Gramma said...

Love the earrings! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

windycindy said...

Hello! Thanks for introducing me to her JCL Studio. She makes lovely pieces! I love the rose pearl bracelet. It is so feminine. Please enter me in your fabulous giveaway drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I apologize. I gave credit to your site for her work. Pretty Sweet Designs makes fabulous jewelry art. Thanks,Cindi

kaylee8 said...

These are all such beautiful jewelry items that I can't even pick a favorite!

Unknown said...

I love jewelry. I hope I win!

Anonymous said...

must win love all this jewelry WOW great

Anonymous said...

My daughter thinks the marble earrings are really cool. Maybe I can win them for her...

calgirl said...

Enchanted Pearl Earrings are wonderful just like the marble earrings.

Karrie said...

add me to the giveaway please

klp1965 said...

please enter me :)

Anonymous said...

add me please! I love eveything on her site! ssherre@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Great stuff! Please enter me.

Ninacu said...

Her jewelry is beautiful! Please enter me...thanks!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful jewelry. Thank you for offering the earrings.

Charlene Kuser said...

I love her jewelry,it is so elegant
and classy.I really love her
earrings.Thanks for the giveaway