ARTisan Interview with Jade Scott

It is definitely no secret that I have had a bit of a girl crush on Jade Scott for some time now. I "get" her on so many levels, creatively and personally.  If we lived closer, I would bet that we would be BFFs. Seriously.
I remember when Jade first started selling her components. I had followed her Etsy store and jewelry designs for quite a while, and all of a sudden she started making pendants using copper bezels and my jaw dropped to the floor. I still love using her pendants in my designs and I love the connection that I've made with her, and the friendship that has developed.  I hope you enjoy this small ARTisan interview and be sure to leave comments to tell Jade that you dig her too.   :)





1) Describe yourself in 3 words. Confident. Whimsical. Excellent speller. Darn, four words.

2) How would you describe your craft and style?
Hippy chic jewelry design. I grew up in a hippy household and when I rebelled, as all teenagers must, I became obsessed with the glamour of the thirties, Claudette Colbert, Fred and Ginger. I started wearing high heels and red lipstick. The rebellion was a success, my mother was mortified. And as an adult I have landed somewhere in the middle. I still love red lipstick, rhinestones and satin but I also own more than one pair of Birkenstocks. I'd like to think that my jewelry reflects who I am. I love the juxtaposition of a perfectly faceted crystal next to a rough un-dyed turquoise bead.






3) What inspires you?
Inspires me? Hmmm. The only thing I can think of is how I deal with creative block. When I have a really bad case, I will put on a movie with a heroine who I think has fantastic style. Christina Ricci in Penelope, Julianne Moore in Crazy Stupid Love, Anna Friel in Pushing Daisies. And I watch and I think, "What necklace would I make for her?” I know it's not as cool as being inspired by a sunset or a Monet but it works....every time.

4) How long have you been creating?
To be honest, I don't know. I don't remember the beginning of creating. That need to make something was always there. I come from a family where needing to create is just who we are. And my mother blessed/ cursed us with the confidence to act on it.
Before I made jewelry, I was a make up artist for a large cosmetic company. Even though they may seem like different careers. Really I just went from one form of playing with color to another.




5) Is this a job or a hobby?
A jobby. Ha, it's actually my job. But jobby makes it seem ....more fun. I have been a full time jewelry designer/artist for about 9 years. My time is split between making jewelry (Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, you get the idea..) that are sold in boutiques. And making components for other artists like yourself to use. Which has been mostly awesome.

6) How do you see your work evolving?
Wow. I try not to think about what is coming next creatively. If I do, it quickly turns into a panic attack....with me mumbling in a corner, "What if I never come up with a good idea ever again?"....shudder. Wait a second... I have a great idea.
But really, most of the big changes I have made in my career have been completely unplanned. Like selling pendants for other artists to use. I would have never guessed I was going to start doing that.
I only have one real hope professionally for the future and that would be to work less. Oh! and to not be on a deadline. I would just love that:)



7) I find that I have a love/hate relationship with Etsy....
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
I find I have a love/let's just be freinds relationship with Etsy. I love the community of Etsy. It's pretty amazing. I have done pretty much nothing to bring in customers. What's the word for less than nothing? I barely ever blog, I've never advertised and yet...people have found me. There are a couple of things I'm not thrilled with. I wish there was a way to consolidate multiple orders so that there would only be one charge for shipping. But all in all, mostly happy with Etsy.

8) Do you have any advice for other Etsy artisans?
I would tell them to befriend Lorelei Eurto and read her blog everyday. It's the secret to success. *wink*
Umm. let's see....advice. I would say that one of the things that has helped in me in making a living as an artist is knowing what the value is of what I’m making. I have seen people attempting to charge hundreds of dollars for a necklace that cost $5 to make and twenty minutes to put together. And then I've seen the opposite too. Either way you're not going to be successful. There has to be a balance between humility and confidence in what you’ve created.



JADE is offering 20% off for my readers, please use coupon code LORISREADERS


Comments

  1. What an awesome interview! I so love those flowers you all used of hers. And maybe goofy, but I love the book she uses as a background. The font and color work so well!

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  2. totally drooling over those earrings!
    Michelle

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  3. What a fantastic interview! A true joy to read. Jade sure is an interesting lady on so many levels. And funny. And I realize I would also like to hang with her together with you :-).

    I really love both her components and her jewelry.

    You, Lorelei, are a big part of me discovering her. I think that the way you use her components in your jewelry is absolutely brilliant. The two of you are just a perfect match for jewelry design.

    Jade, are you considering taking up your embroidered copper again? I loved those. Please! Or should I ask for a custom order?

    Look, I am still very proud of a necklace I made in the summer of 2010 for a wedding I was attending. It contains two of Jade's components and one by SwoonDimples. Together they say:

    psst... [arrow] love matters

    http://www.etsy.com/transaction/53806255
    And here is a link to a blogpost on my initial sketch for it. http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com/2010/07/going-to-wedding-in-england.html

    Now the necklace is owned by one of my favorite customers. :-)

    I recently purchased a couple more pendants by Jade. I have not put them to use yet. But with the sale and all I am very tempted to have another go.

    Hey Lorelei, I love these kind of posts by you. More please ;-) !

    Thank you very much!

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  4. Jade, your pendants are fantastic & using movies/actresses as your inspiration is just as good as any other method! Thanks to both of you for this interview AND the awesome coupon (which I just took advantage of)! I too love those earrings you made Jade and Lorelei, I love the way you combine elements in your jewelry.

    Thanks again!

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  5. A super interview! I don't remember when or how I came across Jade's amazing creations, but I do remember being in awe. I have a bit of a crush on her stuff too.

    Jade sounds like a fun person to be around. Thanks for sharing! I'm off to check out her shop.

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  6. Jade, I love your work and find I hoard it. All your work is so totally hoard worthy! And I loved getting to know you more. I wish you great luck and hope you can find some 'me' time sooner than soon. Lorelei, loved this feature! Hope you will do it again in the near future.

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  7. Fantastic interview with Jade! I love her work and LOVE reading about people doing what they love as their job (or jobby, because that really does sound more fun)!

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  8. What a great interview! Really enjoyed the Q&A and the delightful jewelry shown within.

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  9. great interview, i love Jade's pieces..thanks for sharing

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  10. I've always really liked Jade's style. I've really gotta get me one of those pendants!

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  11. Betty S.12/02/2011

    Love, love Jade's style. Thanks for the interview and coupon!

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  12. Anonymous12/02/2011

    Love you both!! Funny thing, I did an order with Jade just yesterday. Loved the interview.

    Thank you Lorelei for your amazing, gorgeous to look at and drool over posts. I am so glad I meandered over to your blog :).You are now my daily dose of lovelies.

    I adore Jade's pieces. I cannot wait to play with the flowers I ordered and already am thinking of what I want to order next:).
    Lis

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  13. Thanks Lorelei for letting us get to know Jade better and her creative process...and it was really nice to get to know you Miss Jade & you know i love your wonderful creations...i am beginning to get quite a nice collection...
    take care ttfn Lana :)

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  14. Beautiful pieces Lorelei! The earring shape is great! Jade's work is really unique and you have a way of incorporating it in your designs that really works!

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  15. Anonymous12/02/2011

    Great interview! Love her style!

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  16. Burgnewel Designs12/02/2011

    Great interview. I learned about Jade through your blog and love her pendants. They definitely have a unique style. Always on the look out for the perfect one to buy before it's snatched up.

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  17. Wonderful - Jade is one of my "heros" - supper brilliant work!

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  18. What a fun interview - and she does beautiful work!

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  19. Great interview... Love Jade's work! I am a huge fan of both of you amazing designers!

    Lorelei, I noticed you reopened your etsy shop and have a question... kinda long. sorry!

    I need to create a website for my jewelry line that is launching with Demdaco/Silvestri (it cannot be sold on etsy because they are manufacturing it). I was curious about your experience with wix.com... I bookmarked it quite a while ago when you created your beautiful website. I was just curious about your opinion about wix. A friend suggested that the fact that it is a flash based website might affect viewers who either don't update their flash or may not be able to view it... I also noticed that your shop on wix is empty... was it a lot of work?

    I realize your are very busy... any feedback you have is appreciated. Thanks so much! :-) Kris

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