And because I don’t already have a full-time-ish blog that I run (this one)….

I got bored and have started a shopping-only blog ONLY posting random things I want.

Where did I get the idea?

Am inspired by anything and everything.. I’ve seen plenty of shopping blogs, but 50% of the stuff posted isn’t really interesting to me.

I see Fabulously Broke … in the City to be more of a finance/fashion/life advice blog.

Therefore, I can’t exactly post EVERYTHING I browse on the internet on this blog, so I needed a new shopping blog.

I really only came up with the idea and the design yesterday while staring out the window.

What’s new about this blog

• Is not a blog geared towards finding great frugal and chic fashion
• I post when I want, what I want, and at whatever price tag it is
• No limit on # of posts per day
• I will not post every day if I am not inspired
• Images only (the rare comment here and there)
• Will feature: Etsy, Bluefly, Nordstrom, Saks, Style.com, 1000 Markets, etc…

So, come over and check me out if you want. But beware. I can be quite the enabler…..

Today, I am interviewing one of my favourite Etsy sellers of jewellery, martinadesigns.

I bought 2 pieces from her already, because I am just such a sucker for natural stone necklaces that are bold and feminine.

This is the first one I bought with amethyst chips in between:

And this is the second one I bought, that is actually a necklace that is one long one that you can wrap many times or just a couple of times.

All of her pieces are around the $50 – $60 range, which I think are reasonable prices considering they are huge hunks of stone.

BIOGRAPHY

My name is Martina, born in the Netherlands in the year….ha ha in your dreams! I am not telling. For a great part of my life, I have traveled and lived in some several places of the world and ended up here in the great USA.

Featured on the left:

Freshwater Pearls Necklace – $58

I live now in Texas. I do not own a horse yet, but I do have cowboy boots and attire to fit. The Texas state scenery and climate can be as gentle or as wild as their inhabitants. It is here where I come up with my designs and creations.

In the beginning I considered myself a “happy beader”. At that time, it was just a creative outlet that was new to me, but I soon discovered that I could not keep my creations. Friends and family quickly took ownership of them. Then a beautiful store in Victoria, Texas asked me to start designing jewelry for their clients and eventually began carrying my line.

It has been wonderful ever since. I love to create bold pieces that are one-of-a-kind. My rule is never create something that I would not wear myself. I continue to search out new ways of creating, including taking silversmiths classes. Once I overcome the fear of the torch, it will give me more possibilities in creating!

My hope is that the love and attention I give to each design is reflected in each piece.

Tell me about yourself, and the business

I was born and raised in Holland where I finished my nursing degree.

Not long after I started to travel and ended up in London. Needed to learn the English language, plus with a little adventure to boot.

Featured on the left:

Hand-Knotted Lime Jade Tear Drop Necklace – $98

This was the other necklace I was fighting with myself about whether to purchase or not instead of the square limestone necklace. I love that it’s tear drops.

There I did a host of jobs like dental assistant, private nursing, receptionist etc.

Not knowing or understanding the English language very well most of the time, I ended up in so many hilarious situations, that I still will not tell my kids today.

Got married in London (to a fellow Dutchman) and we started to roam across the globe together.

Still today I would pack up and move to Italy or Spain. They have it all….

In the following years we lived in the USA, between our travels. We have settled in Texas since ‘86.

Only in the last 7 years have I played with jewellery. I have a studio on the second floor of my residence where I will lose myself totally in designing.

My need and love for creating and designing totally overtakes me, and I will behave like an addict at times. Sometimes I will sit in my studio for 14 or more hours straight without realizing it. (Thank Goodness my hubby travels a lot).

What are some things that define who you are?

Featured on the Right:

Carnelian Flower Stone with Turquoise Beads – $55

This is a new piece of hers that I totally love. It is so pretty but strong!

I believe in truth, commonsense, kindness, compassion and generosity.

Patience, I am sometimes a little short on.

I am an animal lover, and will rescue anything. (Have 5 rescued cats right now)

Beside the need to create and design, give me space, outdoors (any kind), animals, babies, and chocolate and I am good to go.

How did you decide to become a jewelery designer? What inspired you to choose that path?

I started to design for myself and was not able to hold on to my creations. My friends kept walking off with my pieces.

Then I was asked to design for this upscale store and the rest is history. I love the process of designing and creating, it is rewarding on so many levels.

In your line of work, does fashion play a big role?

Yes and no.

I am a firm believer in that you should follow your own style and desires and go what will work for you and your body type.

Featured on the Left:

Crystal Quartz Nuggets Necklace – $58

I do not like to be told by the main stream designers what would look good on all of us.

I have literally stood in a clothing store (an upscale one) screaming in total frustration.

What have does designer‘s in mind, let’s take the jeans for example, at one point somebody decided that us female’s no longer needed a seat in our jeans.

Well maybe a mere 1% of the female population could carry it off , but let’s face it, most of us have looked like stuffed sausages ever since. Not even going into the fact of the discomfort it gives.

So concerning main stream fashion having an impact on my designs, not so much.
But I am sure that I am influenced by my surroundings, but I am not so aware of it.

I design in mind to enhance and to compliment the person wearing it. That’s all.

What inspires you on a daily basis to keep coming up with such creative designs?

Featured on the left:

Large Banded Oval Onyx – $49

I truly do not know.

When I go into my creative zone, it is a never-ending design.

It is hard to explain I guess.

And when I am searching for stones, I always go with an open mind.

It is the colors and the texture that dominates my decisions.

What do you love the most about your job?

That I can get lost in it all. Being recognized in your work and make somebody happy in the process is a sweet deal as well.

And what are the most difficult or challenging aspects of your profession?

My challenge is making sales connections.

What do you envision for yourself and the business in the future?

To keep looking and exploring new designs, and maybe learning the art of selling it to keep it interesting.

Pick 4 dishes you could eat for the rest of your life

Name your three best purchases (fashion or accessory wise)

Do you have anything on your Must-Buy list right now?

Call me spoiled, but I have pretty much everything I need for now.

There are always wishes but I do not have a “must have” right now.

Can you offer any tips to readers on how to pick the right accessories to go with their outfits?

Featured on the Right:

Oval Yellow Jade Necklace – $58

It all depends on what you are going for, as long it complements you on what you are wearing.

No matter what style.

Learn what works for you and build on that.

Mix and match.

Create your own style, be bold.

Thanks for being brave enough to be interviewed!

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Martina has also kindly offered a 10% discount to all Fabulously Broke in the City readers. Just mention my name and you’ll get the 10% off her wonderful designs.

You’re welcome.

You can visit her Etsy shop here to begin shopping.