14 May 2008

Bella Rhys Designs




Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a SAHM of 6 year old Chloe and 20 mo old Gabe and am expecting #3 in 4 weeks which is going to be another boy. I've been married to my amazing husband for almost 12 yrs and are remodeling our 2cd historic house together. I've been a hairstylist for 16 yrs and have had a salon in our home for the past 10 yrs-which has been wonderful! Being my own boss and making my own hours fits perfectly into our lives w/ small children and has afforded me the time to dabble in anything creative that strikes me at the moment.


How long have you been crafting?
I've always been into something artsy in one way or another. I painted alot when I was younger and in middle/high school was in many competitions. I recall doing simple beading for funky necklaces,etc in high school but it wasn't until 2003 that I took my first lampworking class and instantly was hooked! It took awhile to convince my husband it wasn't going to be a little fly by night hobby as it certianly isn't a CHEAP hobby and last summer I finally had my very own studio built and created just for me!!! I devote as much time as possible to making beads and coming up w/ new designs.

What made you decide to sell?
Probably from salon clients so would see some of my things and would say "have you ever thought of doing art fairs?" or would ask me to make them something. ..When I found out about ETSY I thought-Hey what a great opportunity to take it a step further!

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I sell on Etsy-my site is http://www.bellarhysdesigns.etsy.com/
I have a blog about art and everyday life-that site is http://bellarhysdesigns.blogspot.com/
I am on Indiepublic, Blog Catalog, Myspace and Facebook.

What inspires you to create?
Dreams usually. I wake up all the times w/ new designs and have to get up in the middle of the night and sketch them out. I do get a lot of inspriation from reading with my daughter-the colors and shapes in the artwork in children's books sometimes triggers ideas for me as well as some of her own artwork. Sunny days help set the mood for me to feel more creative as well-I've got to have sun!

How do you organize your time?
HA! I wish I could say my time is organized but it really isn't. Everything in my life right now rotates around a 20 mo old's nap schedule...I try to get as much beadmaking done as possible while he's sleeping since it's not safe for him to be underfoot during torch sessions-If I had to break up my day I would say household duties in the morning, torching during his nap when I'm lucky, any other spare time before getting his sister from school is spent playing, taking walks or trying to pound out a few earring wires or laying out beads w/ a sketch so I won't forget to experiment with later.

What is your favorite item that you create?
hmmmmm. I've got so many ideas still in my sketchbook...I've got some pretty cool ideas that are going to be more time consuming.....for now I'd have to say my dangly disk earrings-which I unfortunately don't have any listed (there is a picture in my blog though) since my neighbor swooped in and bought the ones I just made for Mother's Day. I have some beads made for a few pair and hopefully in the next week will be listing them-check back!

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
Well, I was approached by a gift store out of state for consigning my jewelry but I think just decided now with the baby coming is not a good time to start that and possibly shoot for that this fall/winter. I'd love to possibly check into wholesaling later this year. -depending on what time allows. I"m open to the possibility I should say :)I also plan to start collecting what I need for participating in art fairs-I'd love to try a couple of those next spring/summer.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
Yes! Come visit me!
http://bellarhysdesigns.blogspot.com/

2 comments:

BlossomingTree said...

Thanks for taking time out to answers questions. It's really nice to read about other crafters and how they got started. It sounds like you have a good plan for your business future. All the best to you and best wishes for a healthy happy baby!

Shyla said...

It's nice to see where you get your ideas from. I also enjoyed reading about your painting for I forgot that you did all of that. Good luck Cousin I love your jewelry.