Phoenix Vendor Spotlight: Dancing Dragonfly Studio
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as refined rustic. Meaningful, authentic and raw jewelry that embodies the handmade feel without being “rough."
Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? I can’t say that I look up to any one particular artist. I’m moved by so many creative mediums. Photography, ceramics, drawing, painting. When the artist is good at eliciting raw emotion, I’m drawn in. There is something incredibly inspiring about someone with that ability.
What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? There are definitely lots of handmade jewelers out there. What makes my work unique and my own, is that it comes from some unnamed place within. I’m compelled to create from my own emotion with the intent to resonate with someone else who has that “me too” feeling when they see/read about one of my pieces. Many of my pieces are connected to a sentiment or a story, and I do my best to share that when I present the piece.
What sort of things inspire you? Is it too contrite to say that I’m inspired by life? By living this messy, beautiful life? I’m inspired by the rawness of it all. The beauty of joy, love, happiness, sadness, visceral pain.
Where do you look for inspiration? The landscape of my native home, Arizona. The desert is the perfect embodiment of beauty with a raw edge. Like a captivating cactus washed in the the glow of the unrelenting sun and peppered with thorns sharp enough to draw blood should one get too close. The juxtaposition of the desert’s prickly beauty and unforgiving way. It’s as if she says “Here I am. Beautiful exactly like this. Take me or leave me.” That’s about what I strive to show in my creations. “This is me…real, raw, unforgivingly as I am. Take me or leave me."
When do you feel the most creative? Creativity is a fickle thing. It comes on in waves, and when it does, I simply have to hop on and ride. I’d be a liar if I said there was any one time over another that has me feeling most creative. I suppose the one common factor is emotion. Any time I’m flooded with emotion, is a time that the work tends to pour out.
What is your creative process like? My creative process, possibly in true creative form, is not streamlined at all. Sometimes it’s something someone says that sparks an idea, sometimes it’s the glow of the low hanging sun and the way it seems to drip over the mountains, and sometimes it’s just something crying from within, begging to be let loose. From there, I form the idea, make a mental note of the steps I’ll take, and then I just dive in. I usually don’t sketch my designs first, and when I do, it’s more of a form of making a note than a “how to.” Just a way to help me remember the idea.
What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received? Hands down it was “You should always either be attracting or repelling. Be so much yourself, that you are attracting those who are drawn to what you do, and repelling those who aren’t” It was almost like permission to let those who don’t matter go. Let them not like me, and still be okay with that. Putting art out there is scary and opens one up to constant rejection. That advice is the salve I use for those times when rejection stings a little too much.
Where can we learn more about you? I’d love for you to come check out my website: www.dancingdragonflystudio.com
my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dancingdragonflystudio/
and on Instgram: @dancingdragonflystudio
