1.   When did you start making jewelry and how did you get started?

“When I started my junior year of undergraduate, we had a culture fair on campus and there was a booth featuring a new bead store that had opened in town. It had never occurred to me to make jewelry until then, but gradually I started visiting the store more and more often and taught myself to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces for myself and friends—I still have some of my first pieces—and they will never see the light of day now LOL!

It was a hobby for several years before I started to make more of a business out of it about 10 years ago, when I was in graduate school and needed some extra money. When I met my husband, he encouraged me to continue to develop my line, expanding into new markets, doing shows with me, and developing my website. As it gained popularity, I began to network with photographers and clothing designers, developing items for photo shoots and runway shows.”

2.   Why did you name your business Northern Lights?

“The first generation of Northern Lights was actually my mom’s business—she’s a ceramic artist and this was the name that she used—so I just piggy-backed off of her and expanded the company.”

3.   How would you describe your jewelry?

“I utilize large beads and components—encompassing both natural stones, crystals and glass. Most of my pieces are wire wrapped by hand in silver, but I do expand out into brass, copper, and gold. I have an emphasis on the bold—both in size and color—my jewelry is designed for the person that wants something different—something in the flair of high fashion runway and editorial styling. At the encouragement of a boutique my items are in, I’m also working on a line of chain link belts as well. In addition, I’m also expanding into men’s jewelry as this seems to be a largely ignored market.”

4.   What inspires your jewelry designs?

“I have several friends that are clothing designers, and they provide the most inspiration for new pieces. Working with them forces me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to explore new concepts. It also created deadlines for me as we often do runway shows and photo shoots that require new pieces—there’s nothing like a deadline to keep me up half the night twisting wire! I watch fashion editorial spreads very closely and keep my eyes glued to websites like Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue Italia, and Elle.”

5.   Can people find your jewelry locally at any stores or boutiques?

“Yes, my jewelry is sold at Blue Bird Boutique, located at 1300 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.”

6.   You recently participated in the RAW: Discovery event here in St. Louis. Tell us about your experience with that.

“It was crazy!! RAW provides an exhibit platform for independent artists to showcase their work in an event setting alongside multiple other artists. The focus is a celebration of creativity–while increasing sales and exposure for those artists!  There were close to 1,000 attendees the night of Discovery, so it was very busy! One of my friends, who is also a jewelry designer from St. Louis, won the accessories category for the entire country last year during the RAW Awards competition. I hope STL can bring it home again this year!”

7.   What types of accessories should people be on the look-out for in Spring 2013?

“Cuffs and bangle bracelets are still very hot for this Spring, as are statement necklaces—long necklaces are still very popular—and the longer the better!  Making a revival in jewelry this year is the 80’s inspired earrings. I’m seeing tons of huge geometric earrings on the runway and in fashion magazines.  Hot colors for this spring are: Emerald Green, Dusk Blue, Lemon Zest, Poppy Red, Tender Shoots (which is a bright lemon-lime) and Nectarine. Monaco Blue is also very popular this year. Mixed metals are also trendy in jewelry, handbags, and footwear.”

8.   What is your favorite accessory?

“I’m a necklace fiend!  I’m not dressed unless I have one on. I’m also a shoe and handbag fanatic.”

9.   You mentioned some of your other projects. You are also a make-up artist and a model scout for The Network. Where can people find your information should they be interested in one of those?

“I stay very busy LOL! When I’m not at Mills, I’m usually in the studio for Toni Models/The Network—usually doing makeup and assisting with scouting. The Network is an association of 40 top modeling agencies, under the direction of Paul Fisher, one of the premiere agents in the world. Check out The Network Community and toni.modasphere.com.

I also have a tab on my website, northernlightsjewelry.com, for my makeup artistry. You can also find it on Facebook under All Hail The Queen Makeup Artistry. I do everything from bridal and special event to editorial.”

10.   Your plug: Tell us every place people can find your jewelry?

11.   Keeping with the last question tradition, a shout out for Mills Properties: What interests you most about the work that you do here?

“I like being able to assist people through a huge transition in their lives. Most people do not enjoy moving to a new home and I find that I like being able to make it a bit easier. I also love how supportive Mills and my management team are in helping me reach my goals and my team’s goals.”

Northern Lights Jewelry Gallery: