Designer Spotlight Interview: Firefly_Photo_Jewelry

Our Designer Spotlight today is from Shawna of Firefly_Photo_Jewelry! We are all huge fans of Shawna's work, and shes a total sweetheart to work with! You can check out her current designs by Clicking HERE!

*****************************

Name: Shawna

Boutique Name: Firefly_Photo_Jewelry

What do you Design: Photo Jewelry and Jewelry for Women and Children

1.)How did you get into designing jewelry? After the birth of our first daughter Kinzley Faith, I worked outside the home for a few months. I had found a charm shaped like a little rock that had her middle name etched on it, to keep her close in the hours we were apart. After I had our second daughter Kennacie Grace I looked and looked for the matching charm that would say her middle name also. I never did find one but instead I found the world of soldered jewelry.
I had started to look around for the best deal on buying a soldered pendant necklace when I turned on the tv one day. For some reason the channel was on a how to craft show and they were making soldered pendants. I tivo-ed it and re-watched over and over and over until I figured out how to make my own.

2.)What is your favorite type of design? Oh man.. This is a tough one. As much as the kid in me loves to design new fun jewelry for kids, I'd have to say the photo pendants are my favorite. First off I love to be able to see my customers beautiful kids and secondly I know how treasured these are for people. I only wish I could be there when they get to see them for the first time.
I also really love to make the soldier's dog tag necklaces for the wife's and children who have a loved one who is currently serving for our country. I just imagine these little kids sitting in school missing their Dad, who they haven't seen for so long, grab the necklace that has his picture and being able to feel close to him.

Oh and of course the remembrance necklaces. I hadn't realized how many orders I would get for these and every time I make one I can't help but mourn the loss along with my customer. And to know my design may help them cope just a little better is all the reason I need to continue on making these.
As you can see I really enjoy what I do and am so BLESSED to be able to create these pieces for everyone.

3.)Why Photo Jewelry? I LOVE photographs. I am constantly snapping pictures of my girls and had a stack of pictures in my wallet to show them off to anyone who even acted interested.. :) What better way to show off my girls than in a necklace. Plus it lightens the load in my wallet ;)

4.)Do you wear your own designs? Of course! Someday I can't decide which to wear :)Wearing my jewelry is my best form of advertisement. Heck I even make my mom, sister and both of my girls wear them daily too..

5.)How did you come up with your name? I came up with my business name from the Faith Hill song “Fireflies”. I love the line “I was taught to dream”. My dream is to be a stay at home mom to my children and creating jewelry in our home has enabled me to achieve that dream. But even more importantly I want my girls to reach for the stars and never be afraid to DREAM!!!