Featured Artist: A List Designs

Shop Name: A List Designs

What you like to go by: Brenda & Alea 

When did you start your shop? We officially launched our shop in the summer of 2010.

Is this your only job?

No, Brenda works for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I am an independent contractor working promotional events.

When did you realize you had this talent?

In 2004, I got into beading and started making sterling silver or 14k gold fill earrings and necklaces with semi-precious stones.  In 2007, Brenda showed an interest in making jewelry, too, so I taught her the basics of beading.  She caught on quickly and has even taught me a thing or two since then!  In 2009, I enrolled in classes with a professional metalsmith and have been learning how to work in silver ever since.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I tend to find inspiration in a lot of random places: nature, architecture, etc.  Brenda literally dreams up a lot of her designs!

Who has been the most supportive of your work?

Our friends, family and coworkers have been very supportive and encouraging.  Some have even made a few purchases!

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet?

As Etsy shop owners, we hope to dramatically improve our sales over the next year.  It's actually one of our New Years Resolutions!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?

Follow your dreams.

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Jewelry Supply Review! A Must Need!

If you make necklaces and bracelets and don't have one of these you need to get one! I can't tell you how useful mine has become! The board is measured out for you, and allows you to place beads in the order they will appear on your piece. It allows you to visualize the concept you have in your head without wasting supplies during the creations process!

Check out some reviews:

"How wonderful to have a larger bead board with a cover to protect and contain my current creations. It is portable and almost anywhere you go there is a table or desk for set up. My creations are my art in progress. I like the fact they remain undisturbed from my playful, but nosy, cat. He thinks he would like to bead also! "

"These are fantastic and well worth the price. Having the ability to cover up the tray to save for another time is such a great idea. I highly recommend these for beaders. The only minor issue is I wish it had more beading lines but since they send you two, I guess that's technically not an issue. Great Product!!!!!!!"

Update!

I have been a busy little bee! Here are a few of the new items I have been listing in the shop. I have also added some photography for sale as 8x10 prints and up. I hope to have a successful holiday season so I am trying to get everything ready before hand and make sure that there are plenty of items in my shop before people start thinking about the holidays!

The other day I hit up 3 thrift stores and founds some really neat vintage stone beads. Some of them you see here.
Then yesterday I went supply shopping once again. I am always on the look out for new beads or ideas. It is also very relaxing just to walk around a craft store for a few hours to clear my head.

I'm really excited about these pictures. I think they are the best listing pictures that I have taken so far for Etsy and I think they came out very well. Retaking pictures of all the items is on my long term to do list but I wonder if I will ever get to that. I will need to find time for it and motivate myself!
On a brighter note though, I did make a short term to do list for myself, because I had all day yesterday off from work to focus on my shop. I was able to complete a great deal!
So now I am accepting buttons from artists! Just another way for my blog to grow. If you are interested in putting a button on this blog just let me know! They should be 150x150 pixels in size (like the ones in the upper left) and they can link to your blog or to your etsy site!

Unfortunately it's back to work for me for the next three days but I will still be bringing you featured artist posts daily!