This time, I offer a shop from MadeItMyself, Lottie's Trinkets. Lise makes some fantastic jewelry, elegant, whimsical, bold and subtle alike. Her work is simply amazing, and she - well, let's have her tell us, shall we?
Name:
Lise Spence-Parsons – DBA Lottie’s Trinkets
Craft:
Jewelry Design
Favorite material (or medium, whatever you want to call it!):
Many – but currently copper
Most Popular Seller (whether it be online or at shows):
Fully juried art fairs – I’m best at person to person sales – once someone tries an item on, it’s 85% sold
Simple, elegant, charming. What more can I say?
What got you into your craft?
I went to a wire wrapping class with a girlfriend, just to keep her company – right! I also come from an artistic family, so after relocating from UK to US, it was a natural progression.
Azure Blue Copper Wrapped Agate Necklace
It looks almost too delicate to touch! Such fine work, fun with beautifully contrasting colors!
It looks almost too delicate to touch! Such fine work, fun with beautifully contrasting colors!
How did you learn your craft?
I only had one formal class – wire wrapping – the rest is gut feeling, going with the flow, karma, whatever you want to call it. I am not afraid to mix colors and shapes and try different thingsWhat about YOU? Who is the artist behind those wonderful items?
I am an almost 45 year old married woman, just celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary in October. I am ever so slightly mad, in a good way, and have lots of ideas popping up all the time, I find myself gazing at other people’s style choices and wondering what I could design to compliment the look! I am an ex-accountant from the London advertising scene and have found these basic skills have stood me in good stead running my business for the last 7 ½ years. I have a small family in England and Sweden and try to get back to Europe at least once a year, usually to escape the harsh MN winter!
Adorable, delicate, sweet and simple, perfect for any outfit to remind you of Spring!
What is a typical "working" day for you? 
I don’t like to think of it as work, because I love my art so much, but basically I catch up on emails that have come in whilst I’ve been sleeping, then set about my day. If I am feeling artistic and there is a fair approaching I work on designing items and getting those photographed, priced and in my books. Then, or if not feeling too artistic, I do stock control and re-order staples that I need from my suppliers, then I might go out and hunt around in estate sales and/or antique stores for re-usable vintage pieces. I am constantly monitoring women’s fashions in local stores/boutiques and also checking on color and style trends for 6-9 months ahead. I also spend a lot of time marketing, book-keeping and looking for art fairs to apply to attend. It is constant and I’ve never enough hours in the day.How does it usually start and end? 
Start with e-mails and finish with the sun going down and a large gin & tonic!How many hours do you spend crafting?
Varies, according to mood, but on average 3-4 hours a dayHow many hours do you spend on other things? What about distractions? I know we all have them! Do you usually accomplish all you wanted to?
Of course, there are tons, mainly “real life” – working form home it is difficult to discipline yourself. There is always something “homey” to be done...sigh!
I love this necklace's elegance and color. It reminds me of something a princess in an Anime would wear!
What happens when you Oops? Everyone gets one sometime or another! Do you get frustrated and destroy/start over, or do you go with the flow and see what comes out in the end?
I have a large personal collection of jewelry. Of course, I can re-model pieces pretty easily, so there is not so much waste, and with the price of precious metals that is a good thing!What is your greatest roadblock, be it government regulation or that little frustrating thing that just likes to sneak up and stop you in your tracks? Broken needle? Jump ring jumping out of your pliers? Thread knots? Cats? Dogs? The family hedgehog rolled about in your yarn basket?
“Real life”… it gets in the way sometimes and whole weeks can disappear into the void – luckily that is more in my off-season (Jan-March)… Also have two cats, one of whom loves to join in the creative process…
Earrings - Green Tone Lampwork
An adorable addition to any Spring wardrobe, or for St. Patrick's Day!
An adorable addition to any Spring wardrobe, or for St. Patrick's Day!
All important pricing... Do you have a formula? Do you wing it? Do you feel your work justifies your prices?
An emotional subject, and one I, like most artists, struggle with constantly… I price as much as the market will stand, and as I attend many art fairs locally, have a good idea where that is for most items. The trick is to get your supplies at the “right” price. Some people will not pay my prices, but I was not aiming my products at them anyway, know your sales demographic and stick to it. I do not believe in spreading myself too thin, if I do a sale, then it is a genuine sale, not just cheaper made products. And, yes, my work justifies my prices 100%And of course, is there anything else you'd like to say to our "viewers at home"?
Jewelry, good and well designed jewelry, is an art form in it’s own right. It’s a beautiful thing that deserves love and attention in it’s creation. All of my pieces are originals, made only once, even the earrings. The necklaces and earrings are “born” and are all named, with whatever they remind me of. Some are harder to let go then others, but I hope they bring pleasure to the wearer for that was my true intent!Well said, Lise, and thank you for letting me share your corner of the world and the web with those who read my blog!
Make sure you visit Lise at Lottie's Trinket's on MadeItMyself!
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