Interview Series: Week 16 – Dancing Rainbows

I was so thrilled to see a response in my mailbox with only a few days to spare before today!  It meant I could continue with my interview series without too long an interruption, as I'm sure many of you saw that I did not post last week.  I probably should have posted at least something, even if it was a "Happy Independence Day!" for all of my USA readers.  I might just go back and do that… I'm not sure.

I hope everyone's 4th was fantastic.  I had a great one; got to see some family I have not seen in a long time, as well as meet some new additions to the family!  I had a chance to brag about my work, show off my website, and I have an anklet to make, which has inspired me to work more on anklets again – I've only ever done a few, and that section sits lonely and empty right now.

Thankfully my In-Box was not empty!  It took a little bit, since my email and my interviewee's email did not seem to want to communicate AT ALL.  Though I did later find out that my virus protection program ate all of the files and said "OMG VIRUS" when there's not a single threat to be had in either attachment that she tried to send me.  After I updated my software, it spat both attachments back out…
AFTER I'd already gotten the information I needed and had this post more than half finished. –_–;;  An hour of swearing at it didn't help either, so there was no use in that.

Instead, I concentrated on gathering the pictures for today's interview… and more than most, I had lots of trouble with them.  Swarovski Crystal is one of my own mediums, and I absolutely love the way it throws sparkle and rainbow-y goodness everywhere.  I've made a few sun-catchers in my time, though nothing nearly as elaborate as what you'll see here.  Then again, I guess that's why Adrienne named her shop Dancing Rainbows.

Adrienne sent me her interview, much like a few others, without the questions, and without the questionnaire format, so I'll let her tell her story – her way.

 

I am the owner/operator and creator of Dancing Rainbows. 

I create “sparkling” sun-catchers using primarily Swarovski crystals.  Dancing rainbows also offers jewelry, purse jewelry, zipper  pulls and cell phone jewelry. 

I was raised in the military.  I was born in Birmingham, Alabama.  For the first 17 years of my life, “home” was my dad’s next assignment.   Our family, which includes an older sister, moved almost every three years.  By the time my dad retired from the air force, I had enrolled in nine different schools including three high schools, graduating in Tucson, Arizona.

Sun Catcher - "Pure Crystal" - Crystal Cluster
This is what says "Sun-Catcher" to me.. pure, clear, sparkling… I could stare at this for hours…

I loved moving and was able to experience many different cultures.  I have considered myself very fortunate to have been stationed in England and Taiwan along with South Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia and finally Arizona.

My husband is retired from the Beverly hills fire department.  We’ve been married for 35 years.  I have two wonderful stepsons, two beautiful daughter’s-in-law and a granddaughter.

I have always been captivated by light refraction.  When I was little, I remember loving to play with puddles in the road; it was even better if there was a little bit of oil in the puddle.  The puddle would have the prettiest rainbows created by the oil. 

Sun Catcher - "Sun Flower"
I couldn't help it.. A SUN catcher… >.> *runs away*  This one is just dazzling, though, in all seriousness!

My husband’s mother had the most exquisite almond shaped crystal hanging in their window.   Seeing the rainbows dancing around the room when the sun hit the crystal was mesmerizing.  Years later, that same crystal now hangs in our window and fondly smile every time I see it. 

My craft actually started because I saw a necklace I really liked.  I knew it was all Swarovski so I started doing a little homework, finding what I wanted to use.  I  wanted it to look just like the one I had seen.   I have always been fortunate enough to be able to figure out how to create or re-create what I see or want to do…you know, “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing”.  

Earrings "Crazy for Copper"
These jumped out at me, mostly for their simplicity.  I may not wear copper, but these are an example of what might change my mind…

Once I re-created the necklace I had seen…adding my own touches, I “got the Swarovski bug”.  There were “so many colors, so little time” and many, many wonderfully shaped crystals.  Remembering the beautiful “family” crystal, I created a sun-catcher and hung it in the window.  I then thought, wow!! This looks great; I wonder if anyone would want these.  After searching the craft sites on the internet, I saw a reference to zibbet.com and joined in 2009. 

My typical day begins outdoors… either walking, feeding the wildlife, gardening or playing golf.    My crafting is usually in the evening hours and the next day, once the sun is right, I will spend time taking pictures.

Sun Catcher - September Birthstone Angel
As soon as I saw the birthstones, I had to put one up. September of course, seeing as that's when I was born ;)

Photography is another passion of mine.  I have an additional shop on zibbet.com called “treasures from nature”.  Most of my photos are scenery and one of my most favorite subjects is lake Powell, AZ/Utah.  “treasures from nature” will be combining with “dancing rainbows” later this year.

Living in Arizona, we have sun, sun and more sun.   My photos depend on sun so my biggest stumbling block is when we get those “rare” cloudy days.

I don’t really have a formula for pricing except that I want to cover my costs and fees and maybe a little for my time.  I price everything very tightly because I would like to keep my creations affordable and not fall into the “luxury” category.   I absolutely love working with Swarovski because of the crystal varieties and because it is such a quality product.  

Sun Catcher "Salsa"
This is way too pretty to eat! …. Where did those chips go…?

Whether it’s a song, a flower, or maybe even a colorful food item such as “salsa”, (i do have a sun catcher called Salsa) I see every day life as a potential creation.   It’s a great challenge to try and re-create it.  I love custom orders and get the biggest kick out of receiving photos of whole rooms, wall paper and furniture.  Since I also create jewelry, purse and cell phone jewelry and zipper pulls, I have received many photos of purses, clothes and material for matching.

I once had a customer who wanted something for a relative who loved to camp.  I suggested a pine tree…this is what I designed.  The more a customer can share, the better.  After all, it has to be “just right”.  Nothing less will do.

Pine Tree
I couldn't think of anything else when I saw this photo.  It brings to mind the old Pine Barrens in New Jersey, or Stokes State Forest… Or now, my front yard! 

I’m trying to “decorate the world, one suncatcher at a time”.

Shop Links:
http://www.zibbet.com/dancingrainbows
http://www.treasuresfromnature

Facebook Links:
http://www.facebook.com/dancingrainbows
http://www.facebook.com/treasuresfromnature

Thank you Adrienne, for sharing your story, and your sparkling work with us all!  Your sun-catchers are a true treasure, and obviously crafted with a pure love for what you do!  Be sure to visit Adrienne at Dancing Rainbows on Zibbet, or at the other links she's provided!