Wearable by Design

I am honored that Jennifer Smith-Righter from Redwood City, California of Wearable by Design has allowed us to take a look at her life and process. She has a unique custom jewelry studio that designs and creates individual works of art. I was amazed that her art is made with PMC- it is extremely fine and upscale. It has given me a new view about what is possible with PMC . I can only fit so many pictures here- make sure you check out her shop to see the rest of her work.


What is your real life like?
I'm married, have lots of grown children and a funny fur baby named Gizmo (He's a Shih-Tzu). I'm pretty passionate about my jewelry and so I spend most of my time creating.

What is your process?
I work mostly in Metal Clay. I love the fact that it is reclaimed silver and has a green aspect to it. I also can use every single scrap of it with very little waste. I prefer to work in Lab Created stones so that I know I am not funding questionable activities in third world countries. But I also work with semi-precious stones whose provenance I know well.
One of the reasons I'm so in love with metal clay is that I can do so many things with it using very little space or equipment.



Business Goals and Vision...
I hope to have my work in galleries after the first of the year. I would love to always be a hands on creator and therefore would love to be able to keep the pace steady at a few finished pieces per week.

How do you market your business?
Mostly on Etsy: www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com
I also have a Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30172497@N02/
I belong to two Etsy teams, JET Team and EMC Team

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I am a member of the Yahoo Metal Clay Group
Yahoo Etsy Metal Clay Group
I am a sometimes writer of articles for Art Jewelry Magazine -- I have a subscriber only tutorial on their website entitled "Time Machine" and am in the current (November) issue with an article entitled "Arts and Crafts". Their website is: http://www.artjewelrymag.com/art/Default.aspx
I am a member of the Jewelry Artists Network
The Starving Jewelry Artists Forum
I am a member of the PMC Guild: http://www.pmcguild.com/
And the Art Clay Society: http://www.artclaysociety.com/



What inspires you?
I am intensely fascinated with things that humans create -- mechanical devices, architecture, etc. I am equally intrigued with what nature creates -- buds, blossoms, pods, etc. I vacillate between the two worlds when I am creating things.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Chain Reactionand Blossoms (pictured above)

Find seller at...
www.wearablebydesign.com
www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com

For The Hipster

I confess- even though I am a jewelry designer- I still own two pieces from Unearthed and have recently inquired about a pair of electric blue lizard earrings circa 1983. I love the dyes that they use on their pieces. I now have a new favorite...it's this grey crocodile cuff. Me want want want (said as I stomp my feet like a toddler). This is one of their more expensive pieces and sells for $155.
unearthed.etsy.com