Mixed Plate » Blog Archive » Get To Know: Jennifer Casady of Jewelry by Jennifer Casady

July 27, 2010

Get To Know: Jennifer Casady of Jewelry by Jennifer Casady

Sponsor time! Let me introduce you to a gal who I’ve been a fan of and have known online for a while now. She creates beautiful jewelry pieces and is able to balance that with caring for her family.

Meet Jennifer Casady of Jewelry by Jennifer Casady.

Name: Jennifer Casady

Business Name: Jewelry by Jennifer Casady

Where are you located?
My studio is in Herndon, Virginia but I prefer to sell almost exclusively online at my website http://www.jennifercasady.com and my Etsy shop http://www.jennifercasady.etsy.com

What is it that you design and create?
Designer handmade jewelry utilizing solid 14 karat gold, sterling silver, 14k gold fill and semi-precious gemstones. I incorporate metalsmithing, the ancient art of chainmail and wire wrapping to create classic, elegant and understated jewelry that withstands the test of time. My pieces are dainty and delicate which accentuates – not detracts or competes with – a woman’s true beauty and allows the individualism of her inner self to shine forth.

How did you come up with your business name?
Totally unoriginal. *grin* Honestly, I wanted something streamlined and easy to remember, thus, my name.

Where/How did this all begin?
I think it truly began when I was born. I am a third-generation jewelry designer and I have been going to jewelry and gem shows since I was a little girl. My entire extended family is exceedingly crafty and talented, so I have been around crafts, woodworking, jewelry, etc., my whole life. I officially made my first grown up piece of jewelry in December of 2005 and upon seeing my first few pieces my husband immediately encouraged me to sell them. So this is all his fault! HA! Seriously, my husband has been my ardent supporter and encourager and I could not have come this far without him. Once he suggested that I should sell my work, everything has snowballed into this incredible experience and highly successful business. Within a month I was officially set up to do business and started selling online and in my studio immediately. Over the years I have had to streamline and cut back on certain aspects of my business because it became too successful. My first priority in life is to my husband and family, especially homeschooling our girls. Business is always second…ok, ok, I *try* to keep it second, but it tends to overtake everything on occasion.

Who or what inspires you?
I can find inspiration in almost anything, praise the Lord. My main inspiration would be in the beautiful earth that God created and in the gemstones themselves. But I can seriously find inspiration anywhere, from a pile of crayons carelessly abandoned on the floor, to a haunting sonata played with heartbreaking honesty, in the lilting praise of the morning birds as they watch the splash of color brightening the sky, in the glorious full-bellied giggling of my girls’ laughter as they play. Inspiration is always there, it is just a matter of how you look at it and what you do with it.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
The entire process. *grin* I love the flash of inspiration as an idea suddenly crosses one’s mind. I love the wholehearted concentration when one is fully immersed within a project relying on the talent that God bestows upon oneself to bring that flash of idea to fruition. I love the satisfaction in looking at the completed piece, shiny and elegant from the tumbler. I love the thrill of the hunt of finding the perfect gemstones to compliment a customer’s dream piece.

Crafty folks know that accumulating new tools and supplies is something that comes along with the territory. What are your favorite tools and supplies?
Oh boy. You can *never* have enough tools. *grin* I love tools and only buy the best I can afford (thanks to my Dad who taught me that important principal!). There are several tools that are integral to my business such as my pliers, Jump Ringer (for precise machine cutting of the jumprings necessary to weave chainmail), and most important of all, my camera! My favorite supplies above all are gemstones. I can NOT get enough of gemstones. I fully admit to having an addiction to gemstones (oh, and chocolate, but, that’s for another question *grin*).

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Honestly? First and foremost is to have FUN! No matter what, always have fun. Also, stay true to what your love and passion is. If you get too focused on making money and creating profit vs. creating your passion, than your art will become compromised. Truly, it will. Allow your passion to take flight and it will soar. Have patience. As time passes, expand and refine your skills. We can
always learn how to do what we do better and with a higher degree of precision.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
Ok, this is an easy and hard question all rolled into one. *grin* I have purchased sooo many indie creations! One of my favorites has to be my Mohops! http://www.mohop.com Annie is an incredible designer and I love seeing her business flourish over the years. But, without a doubt, my favorite indie creation was a gift from my husband and was a collaboration between him and one of my best friends Rhonda of Prolifique Jewelry. http://www.prolifiquejewelry.etsy.com It is a gorgeous PMC necklace lovingly made by Rhonda that includes all three of my daughters middle names hand stamped into the beautiful design.

What’s on your iPod/music player right now? What’s on your “Crafting Music Playlist”?
Chris Tomlin, Todd Agnew, Fernando Ortega, George Winston, Josh Groban…the list goes on and on and is very diverse. But my favorite crafting music right now would have to be blessed silence. HA! Can you tell that I have three young children?!!

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
I am not much of a TV buff, but my husband and I were completely hooked on Lost and watched the entire series. But, now that it is over I am not sure if anything else will really catch my eye. I enjoy not being hooked to the TV so I can spend more time playing with, uh, I mean creating my jewelry. *grin*

What’s your favorite food?
Chocolate. Any and all forms. HA!

What’s your favorite candy?
See above.

Coffee or Tea?
I prefer to start my day with coffee (and relish each and every drop because it is my only quiet time throughout the day!), but I will then drink tea throughout the remainder of the day.

What store could you wander around in and be happy?
Oh goodness…with three girly-girls ages 7 and under I’d be utterly content to wander through almost any store as long as I was alone! *grin* At this stage, I am not picky.

Any pets?
Two schtinker kitty cats who get into anything and everything! Anybody want them??!! *grin*

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Israel. I would love to visit some of the places where Jesus walked.

Do you have a day job in addition to your crafty business? What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
I am blessed to be living the exact life I want to live…a wife to my awesome hubby, Mommy to three hilariously adorable girls, homeschooling the two eldest (*grin* my 5 month old is not quite ready for homeschooling yet) and running my own business. I love this life and am utterly grateful to the Lord for helping me to live my dreams.

What are your plans and/or goals (business/personal) for 2010?
Oh just normal ones…to live each day to the fullest and enjoy each moment with our girls as they grow. I’d love to find the time to pick up my torch again and expand my metalsmithing skills. But I’m patient (sort of, *grin*) and I know I’ll get to that goal when I am able and the girls are older.

Thanks so much, Jennifer! We should talk chocolate one day. ;) Check out some of the current pieces at Jennifer’s shop {many are one-of-a-kind}…