Araceli Concordia
Founder & Creative Director

What inspires you to create?
I love the mid-century and the Art Deco eras, but all the materials I work with can influence and inspire me and my designs. 

We can see that in your designs, very cool! How has your style changed over time?
Career change, parenthood, and prioritizing what makes me feel good and comfortable have been a big change for me. 

What would you say is the hardest part of the creation process?

For me, designing is the hardest part because I want to design something authentic, unique, and innovative. 

That is a lot of pressure. How do you define success as an artist?

My definition of success as an artist is to be able to give joy to the wearer through my art.

What do you like most about Pasadena?

I love the architecture around the city, whether it be a residential home or a commercial building.

Find Araceli Studios at Jackalope Pasadena on November 9th & 10th, 2024

www.arachelistudio.com

www.facebook.com/arachelistudio

Instagram: arachelistudio

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I’d say I belong to a lot of places, as I have traveled a lot and I have lived in many different locations - Madrid, Naples, Rome, Canada, Australia, and several spots in the USA… but if you ask where I was born, I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain.

Having been to so many countries has made me seen the world around me with open eyes, definitely affecting my work by taking mental notes of all the landscapes, nature, cultures, textures, colors .. and mixing all that into eclectic collections that are inspired by all the things I lived and saw in each of those beautiful locations. 

I’d love to dive into hearing about all of those travel stories eventually! What is your biggest artistic influence?
Nature plays a big part in my inspiration process but also the places I've been to and all the elements I encountered while traveling: Textures, colors, shapes, materials and people. 

On another hand, I have always been into botany and plants (as a pharmacist I guess that's unavoidable!) and when I  first saw my australian teacher John - a royal artist, sculptor and master opal jeweler - I soon wanted to learn his technique so he  taught me how to turn organic materials into living Jewelry pieces… amongst other things. John travelled the world in search for stones, pearls and all kinds of materials that he then incorporated into this designs. He was one of my biggest inspirations as well; thanks to him I quickly found my passion in metal smithing, as this allowed me to use the chemistry involved in the process to combine the beauty of different elements and natural materials in my designs.

The influence of nature on your pieces is so clear… but I had no idea you were a pharmacist! Very cool. How do you define success as an artist?

I guess success to me is first, being able to find the right technique to transform an idea into an actual piece (that can sometimes be challenging) and also seeing your pieces go with the right people, no matter how weird or unusual. That means you're doing something good.

I imagine it must be so special seeing who falls in love with each piece. What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process?

Sometimes I have an idea to make a piece of jewelry but the material does not allow making it because it would be too fragile or not suitable to wear it comfortably. This happens a lot with those pieces inspired directly by nature , when I try to cast a tiny lichen into a necklace, for example, and it does not work.. or a tiny something. However when it works it’s a reason to celebrate because the piece becomes so special. I remember last year when I succeeded electroforming a sea cucumber and a cicada into a pendant and a pin respectively, of course they had to find that special person to take them home but when they did, it was amazing to share the story of the making with the customer and sharing how unique that piece they took home was. 

Another challenging part is the tech part of running a business… the social media slavery!

How has your style changed over time?

Uhh! I started making bangles with leather, beads and fish skin that I found in Iceland…that style was very chunky! Then I learned metal smithing, wax carving and electroforming while living in Australia and my style evolved into more detailed pieces, until now that I also like to follow a minimal, dainty style in many of my designs. 

After moving to LA, I started admiring the Art Deco building styles in the Downtown Jewelry district and that also made me start some totally different pieces more inspired in shape. In the end the style evolves with you depending on what surrounds you with time, but always keeping a still seed in it that does not change. 

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

I love the Opal chevron ring set. I created it mixing inspiration from different places travels and it became one of my forever pieces. The Australian opal, being all of them one of a kind, symbolizes the uniqueness of a person - it can be you or another.. how ever you envision it.The arrow means continuity and direction, despite of anything and everything and whatever is going on. And the bubble ring symbolizes the ups and downs of daily life. 

 So the three pieces would mean something like: “ Embrace yourself, take in mind that not always will always be perfect and just keep going” 

What do you love most about Pasadena?

I love how green Pasadena is, the kind people who live in it,  I love the Descanso Gardens nearby and the old adobe houses… 

I have participated in a continuous way in several markets in Pasadena from the beginning of my jewelry adventure and I have really good connections here. Some customers from Pasadena have become good friends with the years and I am very thankful for that. But what I like most is the good memories I have there. I've seen my baby girl grow over the years and enjoy every Jackalope spring market since she was born... that's very special!

That is seriously so special and cool to hear! Anything special you would like to share?

Lately I have been fascinated with old shapes and the intricate designs from last century, so I have incorporated that vintage look into my collections, mixing old stones and rings refurbished from vintage pieces with nature inspired style with art deco shapes… I have also made some new styles with the electroformed leaves and have incorporated a pin to every leaf pendant, making it so that it can be worn in two different styles. I am very excited about my current collection and I am so looking forward to sharing them with everyone at Pasadena ARTWalk!

We are so excited to explore your collection in person!

Find Minkara Jewelry at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 21st & 22nd.
Website | https://minkara.life

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/minkarajewelry

Lilia and Alisa of Untitled Square - featuring the star of the show.. Lilia’s pup, Shanty.

“Time’s Gentle Embrace”

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

Lilia and I are both Armenian American artists. I (Alisa) was born in Armenia and moved to the U.S. when I was 6 years old. Lilia was born in Iran, moved to Armenia for college and then moved to the U.S. when she was 29 years old. We grew up under very different circumstances, but when we met, we shared so many commonalities that we became fast friends. Even though we had very different artistic styles, we found that we were able to work together quite easily, even sometimes on the piece. We were able to match each other’s brushwork while keeping our own artist hand still visible in the piece. This led to us constantly working together and eventually becoming business partners. Our studio was founded in 2020…while the world shut down, we went to work! We are a transnational duo, classically trained fine artists from different corners of the world. We both spent our artistic careers as painters; creating, exhibiting, and teaching Art. We still continue to paint, but found a deep love for clay and the beauty in working with malleable raw materials. With clay we get to play again, learn again, and create differently than we ever have before.

Our art has always been inspired by the harmony of human impermanence as it relates to behavior, the vibrant colors of cultures and tradition, and storytelling. These concepts are the lens with which we create our ceramic pieces. We derive strength from the richness of our unique perspectives and our diverse experiences and we take pride in the connection each piece forges between us as artists and you as the customer.

Very cool! I love hearing about you two have come together. What is your biggest artistic influence?
There are so many incredible ceramic artists that influence our work in one way or the other, that it is extremely difficult to choose. These are just a few that come to mind Grayson Perry, Betty Woodman, Peter Voulkos, Beatrice Wood, Shoji Hamada, and Lucie Rie are just a few that we are in awe of. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Artistic success, for us, is a multifaceted journey that encompasses personal fulfillment, financial stability, impact, and growth. We find joy and satisfaction in the creative process, which fuels our passion and drives us to continuously improve and experiment with new techniques. Achieving financial stability through our art allows us to sustain our practice and focus on our work without external constraints. Beyond personal achievements, we aim to make a meaningful impact through our art, influencing culture and contributing to society.

 There is endless value in that. What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process?

Ideation! Going from working conceptually and technically, to making work that is functional and sculptural, has proven to be a challenge. Thinking through practicality, necessity, and functionality before we start creating, and asking ourselves “how can this be used?” before we has been an interesting trial for our creative process. 

How has your style changed over time?

The biggest change has been shifting from two dimensional to three dimensional materials. Working with clay introduces tactile, hands-on elements to our creative process. Clay allows for a direct manipulation of form and texture, enabling us to explore different dimensions, shapes, and surfaces in a way that is different from paint. With the change in artistic medium, our conceptual framework and artistic expression has naturally shifted.

Love that you both were able to make that shift together. What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

Lilia’s favorite piece is called “Contemplative Echos” [pictured below]. She loves the overall composition, the rich turquoise glaze draped over the brown clay, and the expression and body language of the people that we sculpted on this vase.

Alisa’s Favorite piece is called “Shadows that Sing” [also pictured below]. I love this piece because of its monochromatic nature, its use of negative and positive space, and because it has just the right balance of texture and smooth.

“Contemplative Echos”

“Shadows that Sing”

I’m having trouble picking a favorite myself! What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena is a unique blend of old and new, of culture and history. There is such beauty in the historic homes and scenic views. Not to mention it houses two of our favorite places, The Norton Simon Museum and Blick Art Materials. What’s not to love.

Find Untitled Square at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 21st & 22nd.

Instagram | www.instagram.com/untitled.square

Etsy | www.etsy.com/shop/untitledsquare

Christine Ann Nicols of CANdesignsn

Do you have a story behind your business name?
Growing up my dad would tell me and my sisters that "success comes in CANS". I took that very literally and looked for the "success can" mixed in with the Campbell's Soup. Unsurprisingly, I didn't find it. But it was never lost on me that my initials, Christine Ann Nicols, spelled CAN. CANdesigns was born from childhood innocence and a desire to change the world.

That is too funny. How did you get started?

I tell environmental stories through my jewelry and art. I want to give a voice to the surroundings that have inspired me, and my hope is to help people find a deeper connection with nature.

What is a typical studio day like for you?

As a solopreneur there is no such thing as a "typical day" in the studio. But there are some non-negotiables- coffee, music, and time outside. Beyond that the days vary based one where I am in a launch cycle. Some days are really technology intensive, some days I only emerge from my cave to go for a walk with my sister.

What is your favorite product that you have created and why?

I was asked to make a custom necklace for my friend's wedding. The design mimics the lace of her dress. It was challenging, experimental, and playful - all the things I love most about metalsmithing.

How unique and personal! What do you like most about Arvada?

The access to green spaces and old trees in Arvada is incredible. A park or greenbelt seems to be no more than a 10 minute drive from wherever you are in the city.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I am so excited to be bringing one of a kind and small batch jewelry to Jackalope. You should have jewelry as unique as you are.

Anything special you would like to add?

Giving looks good on you - a portion of every sale goes to the Xerces Society, an organization working for the conservation and preservation of bugs and their habitats.

Find CANdesigns at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024
Website: christineannnicols.com

Instagram: @christineannnicols

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I was born in Dordrecht, Holland from French and American parents. We moved to Southern California when I was 6 and I have been living and working in Long Beach, California since moving there to go to University. I think I have my love of old things, old houses and beautiful ornate objects from the formative years in Europe and I have my relaxed, playful, nature vibe from growing up in Southern California. We always lived near the beach and being so close to such an impressive natural space has really impacted the way I see the world. Even if my work isn’t particularly beachy, there is a strong reverence for the natural world that I try to bring into all of my pieces.

I definitely see the influence of nature in all of your pieces & I’m obsessed. What is your biggest artistic influence?
I grew up going to a lot of museums and going to see tons of live music. Just last weekend, we saw Keith Haring at LBMA, I love his bold lines and patterns.  Also, not too long ago we were at the Norton Simon Museum with a group of friends, taking in the European painting  collections from Manet to Kandinsky. There is always so much to be inspired by, with the great painters, even if it’s a totally different medium, I love to look at color combinations and compositions.

We still go to a lot of rock shows, we are so fortunate that LA has such great venues to see bands, it makes it so easy to get out and see great music. We recently saw LCD Sound System at the Rose Bowl, Nick Cave at The Orpheum, The Dandy Warhols at the Fonda and Queens of the Stone Age at the Forum. Besides rock, drop by the studio any day and you will hear anything from jazz to neo soul to afrobeat to Latin punk, The music is always playing!

Especially jealous that you saw LCD Sound System! How do you define success as an artist?

I’ve been at this for almost 25 years so my views of success have changed over time, but one thing that has been a constant is quality of life. I have tried to make fulfilling work while still allowing time for raising my two boys and exploring the world around me. Making jewelry has provided me not just with an income and flexibility by being my own boss but a chance to make work with my hands - a practice that is both meditative and thrilling. There is so much problem solving in jewelry making, there is never a dull moment. I also really enjoy making pieces that other people can connect with and wear as a part of their daily life. That connection and experience is really important to me. 

What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process?

The selling part can sometimes be a challenge. I love connecting with people in person, it gives me so much satisfaction seeing the work on customers. That said, outside of doing shows, it’s hard to market the work and grow the audiences, every time I think I’ve got it down the technology changes!

How has your style changed over time?

I feel like my style has changed slightly over time in terms of scale and shapes, in jewelry you do have to move with the trends a bit, even if not following them, you have to at least nod to them.  However I think if you look over the years, most people see a thread or style that runs through most of the work. I have learned some new techniques along the way so they usually make it into new works as well. Overall, story telling through texture, symbols, picturesque stones and organic forms have inspired my work since the very beginning. 

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

These are the first three cuff bracelets that I ever made. The one in the back with the row of dots is one of my favorites and a piece that has been the jumping off place for some of my most popular pieces. I have been making wide and skinny stacking pebble cuffs for 20 years! I love the texture, the dark and light contrast, the way it works with so many other silver textures as a layering element. I also love arranging the little silver pebbles and fusing the piece together, the process itself is really fun.

I love that the first cuffs you ever made are still your favorite. What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena arts and crafts! The old school charm, the architecture and magnificent gardens. 

Sitting at the base of the San Gabriel mountains, Pasadena is beautiful!  I have been coming to this city since I was a kid, for museum visits, strolling Colorado Blvd and Huntington Gardens with my Grandmother. Later as an adult I did the Contemporary Crafts Market at the Convention Center for many years. During that time, I met some really wonderful people, I feel like people here really appreciate craftsmanship, and as a maker, that is such a special thing to connect with. It’s  been so nice to reconnect with some of those customers  through Jackalope and to meet so many new amazing people! I love any chance to come up and spend some time in Pasadena.

It really is a special place. Anything special you would like to share?

Right now I’m working with some really fantastic stones that have this wonderful sky scene in them. They feel so fresh and optimistic, I’m really loving the feel of this new collection. I can’t wait to share them with you all at Pasadena ARTWalk! 

I’ve never seen any stones like this!! Can’t wait to see them in person.

Find Jivita Jewelry at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 21st & 22nd.
Website | www.jivitajewelry.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/jivitajewelry

Michelle from Fruit of the Bloom

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I grew up in suburban Chicago, and while I was lucky enough to have been exposed to art in many forms in a city where art is revered, my artistic abilities originate from my mother’s family. My grandfather, Harvey Rubin, was a commercial artist and sign painter for the Chicago Park District, and my mom, who minored in art at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is by far the most creative person I’ve ever met. My cousin Marcie, an accomplished artist with a Master’s of Fine Arts from the University of Chicago, is a curator for a local art museum. My mom always encouraged me to nourish and lean into my creative side. This led me to enter art contests and participate in theater, dance, speech team…and eventually evolved into a 17-year career as a publicist in the entertainment industry before leaving to pursue floral preservation full-time. My grandfather would probably bemoan the fact that my new(er) profession has little to do with my (expensive) college degree, but I think he’d understand that I want to spend every day surrounded by flowers, making art and creating a second life for beautiful blooms.

What is your biggest artistic influence?

Nature is my biggest influence. Flowers have this insane power to instantly boost your mood. We send flowers to convey just about any emotion or sentiment, and to be able to turn that ephemeral beauty into a piece of botanical artwork is quite magical.  Whenever possible, I love to see how flowers grow outdoors to witness their natural movements and “interactions” with other flora and fauna. I also can spend hours walking through The Original Los Angeles Flower Market and perusing the social feeds of local florists like Wild Flora, Seed Floral and The English Garden who create jaw dropping arrangements that have tons of movement and texture. There is so much beauty in the imperfections of nature: a bud that won’t open or a flower with an extra petal. It’s a great reminder to artists such as myself to embrace the beautiful elements of our work that make it handmade.

Love that! How do you define success as an artist?

If fresh flowers can bring a smile to someone’s face, I’d love nothing more than for my resin pieces to also make someone smile. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt for that smile to turn into a “I must have this piece in my home,” but getting that unfiltered, positive reaction to my work is rewarding. The majority of my (economic) success comes from bespoken collections: sentimental pieces that I’ve made using bridal bouquets, memorial flowers or other meaningful arrangements. But it’s so much fun to experiment and create pieces that I can sell at markets. I love interacting with nature and art-loving people!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Resin, resin resin, ha! Resin is a challenging and finicky medium and has an innate ability to keep even the most experienced resin professionals on their toes! Resin not only requires consistency and stability in ambient temperature and humidity but mixing too much at a time, using too much heat to pop bubbles or even pouring too quickly can cause a “flash cure” or a slew of other issues. I knew that being an artist would mean having to wear a lot of hats (ex: social media manager, website developer, photographer, videographer, sander, marketer), but chemist wasn’t one I expected to wear daily.

How has your style changed over time?

I’ve always gravitated towards patterns, bright colors, things that stand out. Colored bouquets tend to dry the best (whites can turn ivory or have tinges of yellow), and they look absolutely stunning against a black or colored background. I’ve been experimenting with more colors, ombre backgrounds and even patterns.  For instance, I have these woven black and white French bistro chairs that have seen better days. I cut out and used some of the plastic “threads” as bold background for some coasters featuring yellow butterfly ranunculus.  I’ve always been fascinated with mixed media; most of the art in our home is of that genre, so it feels natural that I’ve also been playing around with floral cyanotypes. Right now, I am working on a few resin pieces where the dried flowers used will have a cyanotype “shadow” in the fabric background of the piece.

Propagation Vase

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

I’m always drawn to functional art, and I’m going to have a hard time letting go of this funky propagation vase from my “coral collection.” Magenta, tangerine, lime and mellow yellow celosia and cockscomb “float” in a vibrant, water-like blue background. It has color, texture, embedded flowers AND holds a few fresh blooms – what more could you want?!

Beautiful. What do you love most about Burbank?

My husband grew up in Burbank, and it’s really special to see some of his closest friends return with families of their own. My mother-in-law also lives there, so we are in the area quite often. I haven’t lived in my hometown of Chicago in 20 years, and most of my relatives are in the Midwest or farther, so being in Burbank feels like coming home.

And, finally - is there anything special that you would like to share?

Thanks to social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, there has been an increased interest in and knowledge of epoxy resin from crafters and non-crafters alike. While it’s exciting to see, for anyone looking to experiment, please make sure you do your research and not only buy quality epoxy resin (which does not include what is available at chain craft stores) but most importantly, PPE including nitrile gloves and a respirator mask. Even the top tier brands that claim to have no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic once you mix Part A and Part B, so PPE and good ventilation is essential. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram (@FruitOfTheBloomBoutique) with any questions. I love talking about resin!

Catch Fruit of the Bloom at Jackalope Burbank on December 9th & 10th!

Website: www.fruitofthebloomboutique.com

Instagram: @fruitofthebloomboutique

Vivian Au

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

  I was born and raised in Kansas City and I am first generation American born of immigrant parents. As teenagers, my parents immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. Growing up as the only Chinese kid in school, my parents made sure that my brothers and I were exposed to our Chinese culture as much as possible. Every few years we would travel to Hong Kong to visit family, which is how we were mostly exposed to our culture. Hong Kong is known for its extensive chains of jewelry stores shinning with 24 karat gold jewelry of all kinds. On those trips, I remember so clearly everyday going to the main streets of Kowloon going into jewelry stores one after an other. Intricate 24k gold chains, pendants, earrings, bangles, and traditional Chinese wedding jewelry was what fascinated me the most.

These memories were my early love for jewelry.

Melody Lil’ Girls fancy bracelet and matching Mommy bracelet

How did you get your start with your own business?

Seventeen years ago I was creating jewelry for a local jewelry designer. I learned a lot in how to run a business while having the creative freedom in creating her jewelry line. At twenty five years old, I decided to take the leap of faith to become an independent jewelry designer and manufacturer. Thirteen years in creating your Forever Love Story, that is how Vi Ling Designs was created. 

What is your biggest artistic influence?

My ethnic culture is my biggest artistic influence. Growing up as the only Chinese girl in grade school really made me appreciate my ethnicity. I love to create pieces with influences of Chinese cultural art combining my love of fashion and minimalism. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist in my perspective is looking back of all the years prior to and seeing the growth of my business and myself. All the tough times and struggles has built me to who I am today. I didn’t pack up and give up during the hard times. Instead I kept learning different aspects of the jewelry industry to build self growth. 

NEW Lil’ girls fancy bracelets for Spring

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

There are not enough hours in a day! I break my daily tasks by the hour to accomplish roles such as: email marketing, content strategy, website maintenance, photography, CAD designing and much more. Addition to Vi Ling, I am also a consultant for a jewelry insurance company. With that, it requires a lot of economic research of diamonds, color gemstones, gold and all sectors of the jewelry market. 

NEW! Popular Vi Ling Front to Back style earrings featuring cultured pearls and rough diamonds set in oxidized silver. 

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

At times, the creation process can take longer than expected when a client wants a custom piece giving me the 100% creative freedom. For new clients, it can be challenging to design a piece to their liking or matching their life style. Sometimes clients wants something generic, but I want to put a creative twist to it. Finding that balance can be time consuming and prolongs the process from start to finish of their custom jewelry piece. 

How has your style changed over time?

As I’ve gotten older, my style has changed. I’m not scared of incorporating gemstones into my demi-fine jewelry collection which has also evolved my design style. Crafting jewelry with quality metals, accents of natural gemstones, mean while keeping price conscious is my main objective. Earrings has become my best sellers so I have concentrate in adding to the collection. 

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite item is the “Front to Back earrings” These earrings can be worn from day to evening and it incorporates all the elements that I follow by in my collections. Modern - Fashion Forward - Classic

Anything new in the works?

Last year I added an in house CAD service for my clients custom creations. This coming month, the addition to one-on-one CAD design services, I will also be providing 3D jewelry mock ups for my clients. This add on service provides extra love and attention to creating their Forever Love Story. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I love Hello Kitty, Pomeranians, llamas, character art of asian culture, harajuku street fashion and anything pink and cute. That is where you will see a bit of my sweet and dainty side in my designs especially for the Lil’ Girls jewelry collection. 

Catch Vi Ling Designs at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: www.vilingdesigns.com

Instagram: @vilingdesigns

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

We live in Orange County and could not be more grateful for the amazing women in business we have met through building a strong presence in the local community. These relationships have brought us events, partnerships, and sponsorships which are so vital for local businesses like ours. 

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Both my business partner and I had unique permanent jewelry experiences on girls trips in Seattle and Nashville and fell in love with the concept. As for our artistic influences? Our customers! The custom creations they make with us never cease to amaze us and we love seeing what they come up with or what they came in wearing. We strive to make our brand unique to us and encompass who we are and how we want to impact our communities. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Success is doing work that you love. It’s choosing to get up each day and participate in a life you truly enjoy. Getting to work with our customers and get creative bring us both so much joy! We love that Parker J allows us to do that!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

We wouldn’t say anything is particularly hard, it’s more about finding the right fit and chain for our customers. We get to be a part of their process in curating the perfect piece for them. It’s one of the best parts of our job.

How has your style changed over time?

When we first started our company in 2022, we stuck to dainty pieces, which are very typical in the Permanent Jewelry industry. However, we chose to branch out and try bolder styles, calling them “statement chains”, and they’ve been a hit so far. We’ve added many charms and connectors along the way, and have even changed up our chains every few months. Our most recent addition has been colored enamel chains that we plan to drop for each season. They’ve been a hit! It keeps our collection, new and fresh.

As for our newest service at Parker J, we just added a customizable charm bar that brings back the nostalgia of building your very own charm bracelet or necklace. Customers get to choose from hundreds of unique charms to create something that’s very meaningful to them. It has been so fun to see what people choose, and we love putting it together for them and seeing their reactions!

Custom Dip Lariat

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

We love creating custom pieces. One of our favorite pieces that we’ve created is our dip lariat. These are custom order only & we absolutely love creating them for our customers.

Is there anything special that you would like to share?

We are just grateful to share what we love to do with others and are hoping to get more people styled and stacked by us at Parker J!

What do you love about Pasadena?

Pasadena has this perfect blend of old-school charm and modern vibe that we just love. Whether it’s grabbing coffee at a cozy spot or strolling through the tree-lined streets, there’s always something new to discover.

Catch Parker J Jewelry at Jackalope Pasadena on November 9th & 10th.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/parkerj.pj

Instagram: @parkerj.pj

Shannon

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I'm originally from rural Iowa. Although I've been an Angeleno for decades now, I think my upbringing has influenced my affinity for natural elements and fascination with animals.

What are your biggest artistic influences?I'm most inspired by natural history and old handmade objects. I'm a tactile person and would much rather spend a day touching everything at a flea market than taking in fine art at a museum. I love studying well-crafted taxidermy. I think my favorite piece of art hanging in my house is an x-ray of a viper moray eel – its skeleton is just mesmerizing.

How do you define success as an artist?

For me personally, success is being able to work for myself, doing what I love full-time. It's knowing that whatever I've put out into the world has made a connection with enough people that I can provide for myself with those skills. I'm doing the thing I would do if I didn't have to work.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Creating is the easy part. I use a lot of organic elements, like feathers for example; their natural beauty does the heavy lifting in my opinion. All I have to do is present them in a way that can be worn and appreciated by others. The trick is sourcing materials that are not easy to come by. Perhaps the biggest challenge is carving out time away from the administrative aspects of running a small business to get back to the basics and work with my hands.

How has your style changed over time?

My instincts lean toward dramatic statement pieces, but over time I've come to appreciate the elegance of more subtle designs and colors. Sometimes stripping something down to a simpler version of itself is what makes it more accessible and wearable for my customers. But if I had all the time and resources in the world, I'd probably be making elaborate one-of-a-kind body jewelry pieces and modifying chandeliers, haha.

Snake Vertebrae Wrap Bracelet by Astali

Extra Long Feather Earrings by Astali

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

One of the first pieces in my line (going back 16 years now), is still one of my favorites – the snake vertebrae wrap bracelet. It's always been a conversation piece because most people don't get to see those intricacies of nature up close, much less wear them.

My other favorites are the extra long feather earrings. Those are my go-to accessory when I'm going out for an evening. They're unbelievably soft and silky, and make my otherwise all-black wardrobe a little more interesting.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

I love Pasadena's iconic architecture. There's such a rich history of design to explore in every neighborhood, and I'm a big fan of the American Craftsman architectural movement.

Another great thing about Pasadena is the proximity to hiking and nature – just a quick drive up the road, and you're in the foothills.

It’s a special place. Is there anything special that you would like to share?

Jackalope Pasadena has a special place in my heart because I've been exhibiting regularly since the very first one. I'm not even sure what year that was! I don't do many in-person events anymore, so it's really nice to get to talk with the fair's patrons about my work and get their feedback on new pieces. I always learn something valuable to take back to the studio.

That means so much to us! Catch Astali at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Website: ww.astali.com

Instagram: @astalijewelry

Dante Perozzi

Where are you from and does it affect your work?

I have moved around a ton in my life, so it's not easy to sum up. I was born in Zimbabwe, lived in places like Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, sailed on a boat along the US east coast and into the Caribbean, and finally settled in Arizona. The longest I stayed anywhere was 12 years in California, but I was just 21 when I got there. I think all that moving around made me more open to taking risks, trying new things, and not being afraid of big changes or new ideas.

Very cool! Do you have any artistic influences?

Yes! Other than finding beauty in formal attributes and shapes - I am always moved and inspired by sculpture. Some favorites that I can think of right now are Louise Nevelson, Gordon Matta Clark, Robert Motherwell, Carl Andre, Eva Hesse.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist is creating something that can affect the thoughts or emotions of others through my creations. They have an impact and can be absorbed/appreciated by an audience. In the case of jewelry, I feel successful when I see someone light up when they find or wear my my jewelry. 

What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Knowing when to stop! I have endless ideas and I could make new designs indefinitely. But I have learned to hold myself back otherwise I become buried by the production of too many pieces at a time. Patience doesn’t come easily to me.  

Has your style changed over time?

I went from working with very clean lines, straight edges, smooth surfaces with sharp angled designs that were highly structural in nature to the complete opposite end of the spectrum! I am currently making pieces that are highly textural, and more organic in form. It’s funny to think about how very different my work is now.

Ya we can spot the difference from when you first started doing our fairs! How have you continued to develop your skillset as an artist?

I have steadily added skills to my knowledge base from the beginning. I thrive off of a design challenge-and since I don't let my personal skillset limit my ideas, I am often seeking out knowledge via courses or local resources in order to bring my idea to life.

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

I could never pick a favorite. But I’ll say that I am really enjoying making chains lately. I have a beautiful new piece called the Nara Chain and I find it mesmerizing.  I can definitely see more unique chain making in my future.

Can’t wait to see what you will create next! And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

I have been in Colorado for 5.5 years now and the beauty of this state is truly incomparable, I have also really grown to love the active and engaged community of people I have found here. I have 2 young boys that I am very grateful to be able to raise in this special place.

Can’t wait to be back there next week! Catch Dante Perozzi at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.danteperozzi.com

Instagram: @danteperozzijewelery