Monday, February 24, 2014

AN EXCELLENT ETSY SHOP: LAYLAS TRINKETS

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Some of you know Brandon Ax of Writer's Storm: Brandon Ax. If you don't know him, then hop to it! Follow that blog. He's a nice guy. He's also the author of Elemental and Ashes. Click the titles of the books to find them on Amazon.

When Brandon published Elemental, he had a very cool giveaway. I won a necklace and earrings that were described in the book. I let Franklin wear the necklace for a while so I could post a photo of it.


I thought the necklace and earrings were even more cool when I found out that Brandon's wife, Amanda, made them. She has an Etsy shop called Laylas Trinkets, and she's offering my readers a 20% discount with the code JUNEBUG.

I wonder where she came up with that.

Amanda consented to an interview, too, even though she's about to pop out their third child. Now, heeeeeere's Amanda Ax:



Q. How long have you been making jewelry, and how long have you had your etsy shop?

A. I started making jewelry in December of 2012.  I wanted to give my mother and my sister something special for Christmas and decided instead of buying them a random gift I wanted to make them something and so I went and gathered materials and I made them both a bracelet and ring set that year.  I had so much fun making them that I got hooked and started making stuff all day every day.  I knew I could never wear everything I made and eventually buying supplies would catch up to me so I decided to open my store in February 2013.

Q. How did you learn to make jewelry? I am very impressed by the quality of your work.

A. The process of learning to make jewelry has been trial and error for me.  I told myself when I began that I didn't want my work influenced by what I saw other people making and selling and because of that I have always been careful about seeking techniques from other people.  My biggest goal in my business is to make things that are completely unique to me and also to give my customers something unique as well, which is why I decided to only make and sell one of a kind items.  I never use patterns or remake the same thing twice so I am constantly learning new ways of doing things.  A lot of my earlier pieces have recently been torn apart to salvage for beads as I have learned to make things of better quality.

Q. Do you have a favorite piece that you've made?

A. That is hard, usually when I make a new piece I fall in love with it and it kind of becomes my favorite for the moment.  There is a ring that I made that is special to me though.  It is actually one of my earlier pieces I have made and I have actually struggled with wanting to keep it for myself.  It is a silver ring with a bright blue crystal bead and the wire wrapping on it is just so unique to anything else I have made, I just love it.  I also have a tree of life necklace that I made using frosted glass beads that I love, it is actually my avatar picture for my store.
Tree of Life necklace


Amanda's favorite ring


Amanda's favorite bracelet


Q. What inspires you or influences your art? Are you particularly interested in the jewelry of a certain time period?

A. I love all types of jewelry.  When I work on my jewelry I never have a plan in mind.  I usually sit down and open all my containers of beads and wire and just start picking things out and let the idea just come to me.  It is a very rare occasion that I actually come up with a design for a piece and think it out or plan it.  There are still so many areas I would love to expand my store with, one thing I am excited to try eventually will be working with resin and incorporating some of my paintings into my jewelry.

Q. Are you involved in any other artistic endeavors?

A. I absolutely love to paint.  I love abstract art and most of the paintings that I do are abstract.  A few of my pieces are actually for sale in my  jewelry store, but mostly I paint for fun and the pieces end up being used to decorate our home.

Q. Tell us a "secret" about yourself and/or your jewelry – something that will help us feel we know you better.

A. I love making  jewelry and most of my jewelry is rather girly, but I am actually kinda the opposite.  I have never been a girly girl, always the tomboy.  The closest I come to getting girly is when I wear my goth skirts with knee high boots and corsets lol.

Q. What are your favorite books and who are your favorite artists? Do certain books or works of art give you ideas for designs? Did Brandon come up with the idea for Molly's necklace and earrings or did he incorporate a design you already had into Elemental?

A. Wow, books I don't even know where to begin to try and come up with favorites.  I read so much and so many different genres.  I just love books in general.  I have a weakness for them, if I start a book I will literally sit and read the entire thing and not move lol.

One of my favorite "famous" artist is Luis Royo, I love how he can use a simple pallet of colors and still bring something to life and his work always has a very distinct quality to it that you know it is his work without having to see his name on it.  My husband is one of my favorite artists as well, in fact I actually I three tattoos that were designed by him for me, my most recent being a Nightmare Before Christmas scene on my arm.

Molly's necklace and earrings were completely Brandon's design.  I remember when he got me to read that section of the book he was so worried that he wouldn't have described the pieces well enough and was worried that his idea wouldn't seem special enough but he had no reason to worry at all. He actually put a lot of research into the type of jewelry he wanted to use and I remember him looking up different types of pearls and finding exactly what he thought would fit with the story.  When we made the pieces for the giveaway it was hard finding just the right items to make the necklace and do it justice because of how special and meaningful the piece is.


The Nightmare Before Christmas tat
designed for Amanda by Brandon

I have created a coupon code for your followers to use for 20% off total purchase.  The code is Junebug.

Thank you, Amanda, for answering my questions. I don't want The Hurricane to see that tat. She loves The Nightmare Before Christmas (so do I), but neither one of us has any tats yet, and I'd like to keep it that way till she has tenure or a fantastic job where they can't manage without her!

Now, don't you think it's time to shop for some jewelry?


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


39 comments:

  1. That ring is absolutely gorgeous. I never wear jewelry (except earrings and my nosering, to keep the piercings from closing up) unless I'm going somewhere special. But I'm not sure I would ever take that ring off.

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    1. I love having special, unique jewelry.

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    2. Thank you so much! I have loved that ring since I made it too ;)

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  2. Every time I stand in front of the jewelry making supplies at a store, I am in awe of the people who can actually decide, design and create! This is some lovely stuff!

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    1. I can't make anything, except a sandwich, I guess.

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    2. I could stand in the jewelry section for hours lol drives the hubby crazy lol

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  3. I like how she's really a tomboy. How does one do this with little children?

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    1. I don't know how one does this with children. How has Brandon published two books? They must support each other's creativity.

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    2. It helps that our children are 10 and 12, but also our house is full of creativity all the time, the kids love art too! And they both love to read so it gives us quiet time and is good for them as well!

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  4. Always love her stuff. She is quite creative. I enjoy watching her come up with her ideas and seeing them come together.

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  5. Great interview :D

    I won one of her necklaces during that giveaway too, Janie. Loved it so much, I had to buy a few more of her pieces. Beautiful work and great quality!

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    1. I'm going to get some things, too. It's difficult to choose because I want EVERYTHING.

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    2. Thank you! I hope you are still enjoying your jewelry ;)

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  6. Love the ring! I also loved learning about her and the jewelry making. I love jewelry, but I only have the ability to buy it, not make it.

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    1. Buy, Shelly, buy! They're having a baby soon!

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    2. I love jewelry myself too, unfortunately my "day" job doesnt allow jewelry on the floor so I rarely get to wear any myself, guess that is why I dont steal my favorite pieces to keep though so it leaves more for my customers to choose from lol

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  7. Wonderful interview, ladies!

    And beautiful jewelry. I'm not much for wearing jewelry, but I love the originality and the one-of-a-kind aspect to these creations. I'll definitely have to go check them out. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Susan. I'm so glad you're back to Fridays and states. I've been to Utah -- more than once. I was there last summer.

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    2. Thank you so much! I love knowing that people are getting items that no one else in the world has, it makes the process of designing things so much more interesting and meaningful!

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  8. I really like the Tree of Life necklace. I can see why she'd have trouble selling some of the favorites.

    So, Janie, you're the one who won the necklace that should have been mine! (If, of course, my name had been chosen.) Maybe next time you visit me, you can bring it along and I can shine it up for you.

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    Replies
    1. Franklin will fight you for it.

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    2. Thank you! I am so glad that necklace finally found a perfect home!

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    3. I should have snatched up that necklace while I had the chance.

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    4. I logged in and couldn't believe it was still there. I started to hyperventilate and couldn't punch the keys fast enough.

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  9. I would shop for jewelry but, ever since the disastrous "Pearls With Corduroy" incident of 1987, my wife won't let me.

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    1. I don't think you can go wrong with this shop. Order something and surprise your wife. Maybe she'll forget the "incident".

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    2. Now i am completly intrigued and must know about this incident lol.

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  10. Dear Janie, you ask such insightful questions when you do an interview. That's a true art. And Amanda's art shows just how talented she is. It's wonderful that she and you are sharing your gifts with others. Peace.

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    1. Thank you, and I agree Janie is talented with interviewing for sure!

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  11. Oh my goodness. I pretty much want to order everything.

    -andi

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    1. Be my guest. I don't think Amanda will complain about sales.

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    2. Well, I didn't order everything, but I did get 3 necklaces and a pair of earrings. Thanks for introducing me to my new crack habit.

      -andi

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    3. Well done, Andi. They are having Baby #3. Perhaps your crack habit can help send those children to college. I sent an orthodontist's kids to a very expensive school.

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    4. I am so glad you found some things that were special to you! I told my husband I had to change my avatar for my store since my frosted necklace sold and he said I should use the bright blue one. I log in only to find that it has found a new home as well! Really hope you enjoy it!

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  12. I do like handmade jewellery so pretty.

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  13. I remember Franklin wearing this necklace--LOL!
    Nice interview. :) :)

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    1. Thanks! Franklin looks better than I do in everything -- especially a fur coat. Mailed a letter today. I have been a bad correspondent.

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