What is Geeky, Fun, and Very Useful? An Interview with Maria of Adopt a Pencil

Hello to all my lovely readers!  I had the pleasure of getting know Maria from adopt a pencil.  When I think of pencils, I think of school times from my childhood.  I remember the smell of  new wooden pencils that were freshly sharpened ready to take on the new school year. If only I could have had the opportunity to have these fun and geeky  pencils in hand while tackling 5th period Algebra!  It's never to early to start planning for school supplies or just office gifts to make writing fun!
Please read on to see why pencils rock!

What inspires you in life?
My family is my inspiration. They are the ones that make me push myself and reach for my dreams.

How did designer pencils become your choice to create?  
I love pencils of all kinds!! And I am a huge book nerd! It was actually my husband's idea to print on pencils. His family owns a cigar business and they stamp their own logo. Fascinating by his idea, I started stamping on pencils as a hobby. I would make pencils for my children's schools with the students and teachers names on them or make some for my friends baby shower. It became a huge hit, and more and more people started to request pencils; eventually providing an extra little income.

 

What is your favorite phrase for putting on pencils?  
My absolute favorite phrase for putting on a pencil has to be "Intellectual Badass". It is my comeback for people who love to call me a nerd. :) I always tell them, "I'm not a nerd, I am an intellectual badass". I think it describes me perfectly.  :)

If you could be any fantasy character, you would you be?
If I could be any fantasy character, I would love to be Hermione Granger. I grew up with Harry Potter and always wished as a child that I could be part of this magical world. Hermione has always been my favorite character with her smart remarks and her great wits.

What do you envision for the future of your business?
I envision for my business to grow over the years. It already has become more than a hobby, I can only go up from here on. Every time I get a sale overseas, I am thrilled. It is an amazing feeling to know your product is enjoyed worldwide.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to do crossfit in my spare time. It is another hobby of mine. Lately, it has been a bit difficult with a 3 month old baby, but my husband is a great supporter.:)

 

What music helps you get into the creative mode?

I always listen to Dido Radio on Pandora to get into my creative mode. The soothing music relaxes me and I travel to another world in my mind.

Where can we find your pencils?
You can find my pencils on:
www.etsy.com/shop/adoptapencil
www.facebook.com/adoptapencil
www.instagram.com/adopt_a_pencil

Thank you so much, Maria for introducing us to your fun shop! 

Until next time, dear readers.....Love, Cat


* All photographs are the property of and copyright of Adopt a Pencil and are used with the permission of the owner.

Worlds of Wonder and Whimsy: An interview with Rachel Kupper of Fable Link Jewelry

Hello Dear Readers:

It had been a while since I have had a chance to take some time and interview other unique and interesting indie artists and I have missed being able to do that, but finally today I have an interview for you with the fun and talented  jewelry designer, Rachel Kupper, owner of Fable Link Jewelry.  Read on to learn about her lovely and sweet jewelry creations that embody a world of wonder and whimsy.



Rachel Kupper, owner and artisan: Fable Link Jewelry

What inspired you to become a jewelry designer?

When I was a kid I always used to love making things with my hands. I would make beaded jewelry and sell it to all the neighborhood kids. I would have to say though, that my real love for creating jewelry was discovered when I took a metals class in high school. I was hooked. I liked how there was so many different techniques and ways to manipulate metal and that the possibilities to create beautiful pieces of jewelry was endless. I had found my medium and knew that designing and creating jewelry was what I was meant to do.



Sterling Dragon Pendant

How do you begin your design process and what are your favorite materials?

My design process begins with whatever happens to pop in my head. Whether it be from nature, folklore, antique objects or just some random thought. Once I think of a design I will sketch it down right away. From there I will take a sheet of sterling silver and coat the surface with a layer of white water color paint. Then, I will put a piece of carbon paper over the metal and draw my design on top of the paper. It will leave a nice clean image. I will then lightly scribe over the image, so that if it gets smudged when I am cutting it with my jeweler's saw I will still be able to see the outline of my design. All of my material is sterling silver including the chains I use for my necklaces and bracelets down to the solder. I can also work in gold upon request.



Sterling Fox Necklace
 

You have a lot of wonderful whimsical, dreamy, fantasy themes in your pieces. What is your favorite theme to create around?

 That's hard to say, because I like fantasy as well as dreamy and whimsical themes. I find that I try to combine them a lot of the time to make it my own, but I would have to say in general the over all theme that I try to convey would be more of a whimsical theme.

Sterling Crow and Key Necklace

 Describe the very first piece you created?

 The very first piece I created other then when I was in school, was a fairy necklace with filigree soldered into the wings. It is the same fairy design I have in my shop.



Sterling Fairy Necklace

What piece of jewelry remains your favorite?

I would have to say the barn owl necklace with the lantern. I absolutely love barn owls (hence the logo :)).



Sterling Barn Owl with Lantern

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have two small children, so I am usually running around the house saying things like, "don't eat that, that's not food!" "Quit biting me!" And "do you need help wiping your butt?" So, when I do have some time to myself and I am not working on my jewelry or thinking of poems to go with new pieces, I like to indulge in a hot bath and get lost in a good fiction novel, and spending time with my hubby.



Sterling Earrings

What handmade possession do you treasure the most?

The fairy necklace, because it is the first piece of jewelry I made that drove me to start designing and creating my own jewelry.


Where can we find your jewelry?

My website for sales is on etsy:
www.etsy.com/shop/FableLinkJewelry

Social Network sites:
www.facebook.com/fablelinkjewelry
www.pinterest.com/fablelink
www.Instagram.com/fablelinkjewelry

I have also started doing art shows in North Carolina and I have signed up to do an art show in downtown Durham which is September 19th and 20th called CenterFest Arts Festival.


Rachel, thank you so much for sharing all the information about your whimsical and lovely jewelry! :)

Until next time, dear readers.....Love, Cat


PHOTOS: Are the property of and copyright of Rachel Kupper and Fable Link Jewelry, and are used with her permission.