Check Out...The Pretty Peacock
Looking for lovely silver jewelry pieces with sparkle and a message? Then visit The Pretty Peacock!
How did you get into silver? Did you take a class? I started beading a couple of years ago, but I needed more of an artistic outlet. I am always searching for new mediums. I ran across a book on precious metal clay and had to find out everything I could about it! I did end up taking a class to get the basics and then just took every online tutorial, read books, watched dvd's and practiced, practiced, practiced.
I love the stamping and the texture on your pieces. How do you achieve that look? Especially on such tiny areas! Hey - I can't give away my trade secrets!! I love texture and try to implement it in all my fine silver pieces. It gives it that extra something - anyone can offer you silver jewelry, but I want to offer something incredibly unique and make that feature distinct to my pieces alone.
Do you create by the seat of your pants or do you plot and plan each piece? I am a planner...I have a sketchbook of ideas and I keep a little tape recorder by my bed for those 3AM brainstorms that come to me and won't let me sleep until it is recorded! Silver is expensive, so I try not to waste it by just fiddling around with something that won't work in the end. I don't design down to the detail, but I sketch out the basic concept and then allow my fingers to do what they want when I'm actually working with the silver - sometimes it comes out completely differently than my sketch, and I love it when that happens!!
What would you tell someone who is interested in getting started in silver work? Research and educate yourself. I work with metal clay, so I'm not a metal smith. I can't really comment on that because I know there is a lot of schooling involved with that line of work. Metal clay requires disciplined practice, just like any craft. Be prepared to invest time, energy and money! Silver clay is pricey as is the kiln and pieces you may need to get started! Be patient with yourself and don't let the medium rule you. Just go with it.
Do you create daily? Absolutely. If I'm not actually working with silver, I'm designing. I love the process.
You have a successful Etsy shop. Any advice for other shop owners? Etsy is such a phenomenal site. Use the resources available to you through Etsy such as the Etsy Success newsletter, Storque, etc. Also, as it's been preached over and over, your pictures (should be bright and crisp) and descriptions (not too lengthy, but detailed enough that a buyer doesn't have to convo you for dimensions!) are so key in selling your product. Make sure your customer service is top notch - it will make a huge difference in claiming repeat customers. Make sure you love what you are doing and creating quality items - it shows in the end product.
Describe your studio. I am soooooooo incredibly lucky to have the space that I do to create! We ended up doing a remodel on our house three years ago and I got a 400 square foot area for my own creative space. It's really a dream. It has posh red walls, a huge 8 foot work bench, industrial shelving, a balcony to get air when I get too overwhelmed and my children's artwork around for inspiration. It is the perfect set up!
Any meaning behind the name of your shop? Being East Indian, peacocks in artwork and clothing are prevalent (The Peacock is the State bird of India) and I have always thought that they were so majestic! Such beautiful birds, who are so very proud (they would make anyone believe that they could fly!). You can't just call a shop "Peacock" so, "The Pretty Peacock" was born!
Tell me something about you. Besides being a jewelry designer, I am a mother of two small children (5 and 2) and am married to my husband, Joel, who is amazingly supportive - which is so crucial to your own success!
I have finally found peace in the fact that I did not go to law school and become that Attorney that I hoped to be since I was 14 (I am now living vicariously through my sister) and have embraced the idea that although my parents had different aspirations for me (as I did for myself), I consider myself successful in my own happiness.
