Today I have a lovely little giveaway for you from jewelry maker Natalya. One lucky reader will get to choose a piece from her etsy shop and have a pretty new necklace to wear this spring.
To enter:
1. Post a comment about your current source of inspiration—what is currently inspiring you to make things or what is filling you with new energy this spring, etc. (This could be as short as "Tulips!")
2. Make sure you post with a user name, rather than as anonymous, so that I know who you are if you win.
***You have between now and 8 pm Central time on Thursday April 22 to enter.
And in the meantime, here's a bit from Natalya about what inspires her to make jewelry in between studying for graduate classes.
Name: Natalya Lakhtakia
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Website/Blog/store: etsy.com/shop/letmenatalya, Facebook, Twitter
Tell me a little bit about what you make and why you enjoy it?
Creating is such a wonderful outlet for me. I spend all day reading textbooks and doing clinical work, and then I get to sit down and make something that I think is really beautiful. I love laying all the elements out and then going through and piecing everything together. It's both relaxing and fun!
How and when did you become interested in making jewelry?
A few years ago, a friend's girlfriend was creating jewelry, and I bought a couple of pieces from her, and I thought, "Hey! I would love to be able to make my own things!" so I set off to Michael's, bought some supplies, and started experimenting. Of course, what I make now is VERY different than the pieces I made back then!
How would you describe your style?
Kind of a mix! I do a lot of what I label as "vintage chic," but I also do more modern stuff, as well as jewelry that is more classic. I think I make a style of jewelry that anyone can wear. Most of my pieces can be worn with a tee-shirt and jeans, yet also look good with something more dressy.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere! I have color books and I love to walk around different stores at the mall to see what is "in" so that I can make it my own. I also draw a lot of inspiration from the supplies that I buy.
What are you in graduate school for?
I'm in graduate school, getting my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I actually graduate in just a few weeks!
Posts
Oh these are all lovely! I especially love the silver dipped leaves!! Right now my inspiration is coming from both the new things growing outside and the lovely artists I'm finding!
ReplyDeleteoh so beautiful! I have to say the sun is inspiring me... too many months of grey winter!!
ReplyDeletelove these- at the moment I've bee very inspired by native american weaving patterns, so fun and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAdorable necklaces :-D
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm going to have to go with...summer's coming, so I'm thinking of the beach, and textures and lights..and sea urchins!
The seedlings in my living room and by 11 month old baby daughter inspire me :)
ReplyDeletecoquemont@mac.com
I'm inspired by all the new life that spring brings ... All the beautiful flowers, the apple blossoms, the baby bunnies all the animals that you don't see until it warms up ...
ReplyDeleteKim Slater
Vowinckel, PA.
http://twitter.com/Slater363
rice inspires me!
ReplyDeleteWarmth is inspiring me lately! Nothing having to be covered in a million layers to keep warm. I'm in love with that necklace!
ReplyDeletethe smell of warm concrete after it rains!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous leaves and acorns! I'm being inspired now by food! And by funny marketing pieces (at work. :))
ReplyDeleteCurrently covering an old bedside locker with collage from old magazines, its like painting with pieces of coloured paper, getting inspired as I go along..creating amazing landscapes kitchen jezebel
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous. My current inspiration is my happy geriatric patients - they are very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteelissa at iinet dot net dot au
My inspiration right now: making things to make my home and nursery cozy for my soon-to-arrive little boy!
ReplyDeletePainting!
ReplyDeleteWow these are beautiful. Motivation right now comes from 3 busy kids, one on the way and the beautiful weather we've been having... Although the irstbteo on my list are also what wear me out :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing pieces! My inspiration comes from the smiles on my families faces and the warm hugs I receive before bedtime..... inspiration comes in droves when you are rich with love!
ReplyDeleteSpring Flowers blooming all around, are inspiring me. The bright colors and cheeriness of flowers and springtime are illuminating everytime I walk outside on a sunny Texas day!
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires me right now and always pretty much are the redwoods of northern CA. Nothing makes me feel more pulled together and relaxed in this world than just thinking about them. Being there takes that to a whole new level. So of course Natalya's necklace with the little pine cone I just love!
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm inspired by the dogwood and redbud trees outside my studio window - they're in full bloom and amazing. All I can think about is making flowers, drawing flowers, and there's a cute little squirrel out there now.
ReplyDeleteMy medical missions trip to mexico (just got back sunday) has inspired me... I pretty much want to save the world now :) Oh and the beautiful flowers of spring
ReplyDelete-Katie
All the new baby birds in my backyard are inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful sunny weather with temperatures that are still cool enough to do stuff all day in!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough tulips actually are one of my current sources of inspiration - but also all the wildflowers about, the clear blue sky, clouds that turn into bunnies, and all the fabric in my stash!
ReplyDeleteI've been inspired by some heirloom china, linens and silver recently. It makes me so happy to break out the good stuff once in a while! I used most everything I have while hosting a tea party for a dear friends’ bridal shower. Just using these special items make me feel close to the women in my family, some of whom are far away and some of whom have passed away.
ReplyDeleteCOLOR: (flowers, grass, sky)
ReplyDeleteLIGHT: (the sun is out ~ lights are on!)
BREEZE: (cool breeze with warm sun)
LIFE: (living to witness another spring!)
All of the above inspires me to make everything and anything from pre-used objects to fun shiny and new ~
and YOU, because I love your blog.
Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by the beautiful weather and the street performers busking in it.
ReplyDelete<4
Natalya inspires me. :) I love her stuff!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by new spring colors and flowers, along with upcoming vacations!
ReplyDeleteMy current inspirations are: Christine de Pisan, lilac bushes, toast with lots of butter, True Blood, breezy days, afternoon naps, dark blood reds, and laceweight alpaca yarn.
ReplyDeleteNatalya also inspires me, just the fact that she makes time to craft these beautiful necklaces while in grad school. Her motivation inspires me. The final season of LOST is also inspiring me, though that is not necessarily spring-related haha.
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by the beautiful Spring weather we've been having in Dallas this year.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful jewelry. I'm being inspired the beautiful spring-green trees that are busting out!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by puppies and pretty people in the park! And pie!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by Glee!
ReplyDeleteright now i am inspired by jimmy page. I love to listen to his creativity as he plays the guitar! it is inpossible not to be inspired while listening to someone with so much talent and love and passion for what they do!
ReplyDeletekshuttle@uoguelph.ca
I am inspired by the leaves that just came out yesterday! Spring has sprung, yeah!!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful! my current inspiration: people i love. most of the projects i'm working on right now are for friends who are getting married or having babies, and i'm loving it :]
ReplyDeletethe gorgeous purple orchids blooming in my living room!
ReplyDeleteoh no - hope I'm not too late to enter. Just emerged from a huge German exam. Now I am so inspired by the sun. Who knew it could be such a simple, inspiring thing. We hadn't seen it for months this winter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, ladies. Katie