I won’t be moderating comments until end of August 2009. Thanks for your patience!
www.delectablyrefashioned.comToday I am interviewing the sweet Lika Schindler (isn’t her name pretty?), Jewelery Designer from Delectably Refashioned Jewelery!
Refashioned Jewelery is quite a green way to create something new and one of a kind from old something(s) which is something I found fascinating!
In her words:
I take items people think are “JUNK” or broken things I clean them up take them apart spread them all over the house look and walk by them for a few days and make them into newly redesigned pieces which are never the same and are always one of a kind.
I use earrings, brooches, chains, belts, pins, rings and charms. Anything I can get my hands on!
If you need extensions on things please let me know I can do that for you.
If you like a necklace but want it altered in some way I can fix that too!
Everything is reclaimed and recycled they are not NEW. Please enjoy and recycle reuse and of course refashion!!!!!
Tell me about yourself, and the business?
My name is Lika and I am a haflie! (Half Japanese/Irish) 35 years of age living in Seattle Washington with my two beautiful sons Kenji (aka kuku) and my 15 month old Niko (aka beefcake), and my honey Eric.
Recycled Pink Lace – $19 ———->I was a Fraud Investigator for 15 years of my life and then went on Maternity leave last year and well I am still at home! And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What are some things that define who you are?
I always believe you have to put your all in what you do and trial and error is a good experience for everyone. I never thought I would be doing what I do today!
I love my kids and they make me grow into a better person each day.
I used to shop a lot! But now making things for other people satisfies my shopping craving (I never thought I would say that.) Making jewelry used to be a hobby now it is my passion.
How did you decide to become a jewelry designer? What inspired you to choose that path?
Ahhh I really don’t know how it happened.
I was 8 months pregnant with really bad insomnia! One day I went to the bead store and spent $100’s of dollars on “stuff” made it all and wasn’t happy with it so I gave it all away. Then I got a BIG box of old broken “junk” jewelry and I was in heaven
Why did you choose the idea of making your jewellery the way you do?
<—— Three flowers Necklace – $21.99
I live in Seattle where we seem to recycle everything!I think this is my way of getting into recycling! I guess it’s more refashioning jewelry.
But that word isn’t used much YET!
Everything I get I take COMPLETELY apart and wash it, fix it up, file it, cut it, repair it etc.
But I never put it back together like I found it” broken and old” You could have a necklace made out of earrings, bracelets, belts, pins, etc
FB: I really love this idea and the phrase she’s using to describe it — refashioning jewelery. I hope it catches on with more designers!
What inspires you on a daily basis to keep coming up with such creative designs?
Besides making money!?
When you get a box of jewelry and you don’t know what is in it and open it up! It is like Christmas!
I start getting so many ideas in my head that I have these big cupcake pans and I start putting pieces together in them. Once I have all 24 filled I stop so I don’t get carried away and I start going at it!
Once they are made and designed I start all over again! (Ya cupcake pans is how I stay organized! )
What do you love the most about your job?
I love that I get to work in my pyjamas and be home with my little one. But the BEST thing is all the feedback from my customers! I really makes my day! And I love the support I get from my man and my son…. It’s wonderful.
And what are the most difficult or challenging aspects of your profession?
Just Ducky! Necklace
$13.99 ———–>The difficult it balance everything! Work, family, my quite time etc.
I am only one person and I do all the packing , jewelry making, photo, consignment orders, etc while trying to be a stay at home mom.
I really need to get the financial part down to!
Luckily my Eric has taken on the “packing the orders” duty and he is very very good at it he is a perfectionist!
What do you envision for yourself and the business in the future?
I started Etsy and a “buyer” and really started selling in Nov. 2008. My dream would be to have a coffee and cupcake shop where people or groups could come in and design their own necklaces!
I think that would be fun … But right now my goal is to market my items within my town…which I still haven’t gotten around to yet BUT very soon. ( I do have some selling in other states!) and get into some magazines! Then after that I will think BIGGER! I think Etsy is a good starting point but hopefully bigger and better next year!
Pick 4 dishes you could eat for the rest of your life
Chicken Vindaloo
PHO! YUM
Name your three best purchases (fashion or accessory wise)
Black Bally leather Jacket
Black and white Calvin Klein ballet flats
Burberry scarf! (o so soft!) o that is four. Oops
Do you have anything on your Must-Buy list right now?
The new D&G perfume I think it is called #3 smells sooooo yummy
Can you offer any tips to readers on how to pick the right accessories to go with their outfits?
This is bad for me I own like 100 and something pairs of shoes so I can’t really decided on things much!
But I do love BOLD and I do love Sparkly necklaces!
And I think the always look better in a outfit with a v-neck. It’s kinda like showcasing your Jewelry.
But there’s more!
As a wonderful treat, Lika has graciously offered to give away a prize from her Etsy website!
As you winner, you can choose ANY TWO of the necklaces she has featured on her site.
The contest shall run from today until September 18th 2009, ending Midnight EST.
…and it is *drumroll*.. OPEN TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!!
You can enter by leaving a comment on this post and I shall randomly choose someone and let Lika get in contact with you personally.
THE CONTEST IS OVER. Thanks for entering!
- Interview: G&D from All Things G&D
- Interview: Onada from Onada’s Lookbook
- October 2009: FB Blog Features
- July 2009: Blog Feature
- Interview: D. Ninja from Punch Debt in the Face
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Sep 12th, 2009
@ 11:25 AM:
Don’t worry. I have all of your comments saved under Blogger, so your entries will not be missed just in case they don’t port over.
Please keep them coming!
Robin
on Sep 12th, 2009
@ 5:07 PM:
Ooooh! I love it! Please count me in!
Briar
on Sep 12th, 2009
@ 10:09 PM:
Wow, those are gorgeous! I would love to be in the raffle.
Sara Vasconcelos
on Sep 13th, 2009
@ 1:18 PM:
I want it!
Please count me in!
Sara
3 Great FB Giveaways & Help FB Win a Ring! « Fabulously Broke in the City
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 9:52 AM:
[...] to enter: Click here to read the post for the [...]
Lindsay
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 10:13 AM:
Count me in! Love her designs!!
Krystal
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 10:52 AM:
Ohhh me me me!
Krystal´s last blog ..$600 for a pair of hiking boots, oh my!
Meredith
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 11:45 AM:
Beautiful jewelry! count me in please!
Michelle
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 12:45 PM:
What a fab idea. I wish I was so talented. I have so much jewelry that I don’t wear anymore or an earring missing its mate.
I hope I win!!
Michelle´s last blog ..IT ROCKS
Melissa
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 12:58 PM:
Ooooh I hope I win!
Melissa´s last blog ..Feminists and marriage?
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 1:14 PM:
Good luck
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 1:14 PM:
Good luck!
Kate
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 1:34 PM:
They look gorgeous! Count me in.
Latoya Taitt
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 1:53 PM:
Lika Schindler: Delectably Refashioned Jewelery
I love the interview with Lika… I absolutely love how she found her passion and is making a living doing what she loves everyday.
I also love how she defined herself… and talked about putting her all into what she does, how her kids make her a better person, and how she gets much more out of making jewelry for others rather than shopping a lot like she used to.
A lot of what she said hit home with me.. and I wish her the best in her business.. Lovely and unique jewelry!
Latoya Taitt´s last blog ..In dire need of a new camera!!
Krystle
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 2:26 PM:
I hope I win, I love the blue royalty and the emerald necklaces
Cin
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 3:05 PM:
Count me in.
psychsarah
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 3:25 PM:
I would love to be the winner of such a lovely piece. Please count me in
That Kind of Girl
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 4:49 PM:
After ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the necklaces, I didn’t think they could get any cuter. Then I read the interview, and Lika’s cupcake pan organization system officially ratcheted up the cute factor another couple of levels! (Also, I love and covet these necklaces, and would love to be entered in the giveaway in hopes of keeping my Etsy debt slightly lower this month…)
That Kind of Girl´s last blog ..The Kind of Girl Who … wears her obsessions on her (hot pink) sleeve
Linda
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 4:58 PM:
Beautiful and unique! Please count me in too
mei
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 9:26 PM:
count me in – Thanks!
Danielle
on Sep 15th, 2009
@ 9:32 PM:
Hi FB,
I’m a long -time reader and first time poster…..I would love to win…….pretty please, with sugar on top.
But even if I don’t win, I’ll keep on reading. thanks for the work you do.
Danielle´s last blog ..Receiving Compliments?
Sally
on Sep 16th, 2009
@ 9:01 AM:
Those are lovely! Please enter me!
blue
on Sep 16th, 2009
@ 10:22 AM:
her pieces are so cute! i would love to enter
blue´s last blog ..Urban Decay Box of Potions
CentsInTheCity
on Sep 16th, 2009
@ 4:07 PM:
Beautiful pieces. I wish I was so crafty!
CentsInTheCity´s last blog ..Anna Sui for Target Pop-up Store Experience.
Tia
on Sep 16th, 2009
@ 7:45 PM:
I LOVE her stuff….count me in!
LAL
on Sep 17th, 2009
@ 10:38 AM:
I need to win! I need to feel pretty right now.
LAL´s last blog ..Family Bailout fund?
Ezi
on Sep 18th, 2009
@ 8:23 AM:
I love this piece on Lika, it’s quite inspiring. I am 8 months pregnant too and have been planning a jewellery splurge but to no avail! I’m hoping I get my moment of inspiration – hopefully it might be at the same time too (lol).
The jewellery is really unique and uniqueness is what I thrive on. And yeah…I am interested in winning a lovely piece of this jewellery!
clare
on Sep 18th, 2009
@ 10:10 AM:
oh wow, such great stuff!!!! fingers crossed
missmarisol
on Sep 18th, 2009
@ 9:25 PM:
Such pretty necklaces! Count me in please…
missmarisol´s last blog ..SoCal Visit
Maritza
on Sep 18th, 2009
@ 11:16 PM:
I love her outlook and her ability to make things beautiful that others see as trash. This is a trend I definitely hope catches on in many other aspects too.