Designer Interview – Laura Binding
1. How and why did you start making jewellery?
About 5 and half years ago a temp started at my office and she made jewellery, until then i had never even thought about making it and when she showed me some simple steps, i realised how easy it was and how much i loved it! that was it! i was hooked! i did an intermediate class at a local bead shop, met some lovely people, picked up some lovely tips and then just took it from there!
2. What would you say keeps you inspired and motivated?
I love collecting magazines and watching jewellerymaker where i am a guest designer, i specialise more in wire and often find the challanges keep me motivated and i find inspiration everywhere i look, the current fashions, the internet and from my fellow jewellery making friends. i also think that when you find the medium you are comfortable with most, in my case wire, then the ideas just flood in!
3. What are some of your favourite materials to work and create with?
I love working with wire, lampwork beads, gemstones and crystals, although i do use other beads i find these tend to really set off my wirework designs. i do tend to use mainly silver plated wire to keep the costs of my designs at a reasonable price but i also love using gold and coloured wire and of course sterling silver for that something extra special!
4. Who’s your favourite designer?
They don’t have to be well known it could be someone you have met along the way.
i was enticed into the amazing world of wire by some amazing wirework artists i found through the internet and yahoo groups, they do amazing work and it has inspired me to create my own style and keep challanging myself
5. If you could sum up your look and aesthetic in three words, what would they be and why?
Funky, unique and individual
6. What’s your studio or workspace like and do you have a certain way of working in your studio?
When i first started i lived in a two bed flat with my now husband and i literally worked from a box! when we moved into our house i had a bedroom, but when i got pregnant with my daughter i relocated to a space above my kitchen extension, its what i call my den, it has a small tv, a dvd player as i like to watch films whilst i work, a big work desk and proper leather desk chair and lots and lots of beads, wire and other goodies! its nice and bright with a velox window so its good to work from and i can keep it ventilated if im playing about with pmc or resin (or if its just hot!)
7. What can’t you live without when making jewellery?
My flush cutters, round nose and snipe pliers! give me those and i can make anything! i also love my nylon pliers as they are brilliant for making shapes with wire without marking the wire and for straightening kinks in wire
8. There are lots of jewellery designers trying to make that next step and sell their jewellery, what advice would you give them and how did you make that step?
Make sure your pictures look professional and eyecatching, and that you can show as much detail as possible. make sure you describe your items as accurately as you can and list all materials used, such as the type of metal you have used. if you are using online shops such as ebay, etsy, folksy etc make sure take into account the additional costs that the seller incurs but the buyer doesnt, due to the fees, paypal fees etc, so try maybe holding parties, craft fairs, facebook pages and of course a website where the costs are less and you can then reflect this in your prices.
9. What would you say makes you smile the most when making jewellery?
When i send an item to someone and then contact me to say they love it and it looks even more beautiful than the picture showed, that makes me feel very happy.
10. Finally, what type of jewellery and style do your customers love the most?
I think people love my wirework the most, the chainmaille is also popular but i think because i make individual one off items with the wire, this appeals to people as they know that they are wearing a bespoke peice of jewellery. with my style, especially my wire sculpture and tree of life pendants because even i were to repeat them, they would not be the same and are all individul
11. Anything you would like to add?
I often have people say to me that they may try wirework but dont know where to start, all you need are some tools, wire and beads. people are often nervous of wirework but there really is no need to be, just keep practicing and you will be surprised at what you create!
Links
www.facebook.com/youniqueyoujewellery
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