Check out our interview with Tracy Matthews, the designer of the beautiful handmade jewelry line very pretty things!
Tell me a bit about yourself and your creations:
My name is Tracy Matthews, and I am a glass artisan who fuses glass into wearable art pieces also known as jewelry. I am lucky enough to be able to take my passion and make it into my full-time job. My passion is combining different textured and colored glass and creating a whole new piece with depth and charm.
What inspires you to create?
I love the process of taking raw materials and creating something brand new and functional. Colors also inspire me. Color can evoke so many different emotions, and I like to play with that concept.
Describe your creative process:
My creative process is really all about playing. I love to take different glass and play with the colors and the way the light reflects off the glass. By layering the glass, I can create so many different effects. Once I decide on what glass I am going to select, I cut, shape and then fire them in my kiln at 1500°F until they are one piece of molten joy!
What are some of your favorite creations?
I did a series for a show recently that was of a Mardi Gras theme. I so enjoyed creating the whole new line just for a show. I got to be as creative as I wanted, and I created huge bold pieces. It was based on peacock feathers. It was fun and crazy... and I loved it!
How do you want your craft and business to evolve?
My dream is to get a bigger studio space so that I can get a bigger kiln and do larger pieces of work.
What or who influences you as an artisan?
I am in a shared artist space. I share it with about 15 other artists. I am constantly being inspired by my fellow artists. They are so kind, supportive and inspiring. By my experiences, I actually started up a little artist group where we meet once a month and encourage each other to succeed.
What brings people to seek out your creations, and what makes your work unique?
My jewelry is like candy... You have to come over and touch them and fondle them. one of my mandates is keeping my jewelry affordable to everyone. I believe everyone should be able to afford pretty things.
What choices have you made that helped your business the most?
Quitting my job was the biggest and riskiest thing I have ever done, but it has freed up my mind and my time to keep on creating.
What advice would you give to other artisans?
If you love it, do it! Enjoy the process. It's not getting there that counts but the journey.
Where can your creations be found?
You can find my jewelry on Etsy: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/veryprettything
Or, if you're in Vancouver you can also find my work in a few local galleries.
For more information, you can check me out at my website: www.very-pretty-things.com