It's time for the midweek artist people!! Get excited!! Today I am welcoming Traci, the lovely wife of one of our previous featured artists Scott from Reinvintage Arts. (Love a creative duo in love!) She is a jeweler that repurposes vintage wares into beautiful designs and sells the in her store, Reinvintage Jewelry. Sustainable? yes. Creative? yes. Wonderful? yes!
Some of my favorite items from her store:
Hey Traci! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful jewelry design.
I've been in Florida for several years now and it is, by far, my favorite of our temporary homes. My husband Scott of 19 years has a job that requires relocation from time to time and we've lived throughout the southeast. I have home schooled my two wonderful daughters from elementary to high school. They are my pride and joy. I work primarily in the re-purpose or altered art part of the craft, using vintage jewelry elements and an odd lot of antique collectibles, basically anything interesting I can fashion into jewelry. Whenever I look at an old object, whether it's a frozen Charlotte doll, a few milk bottle toppers or a tintype photo, I find myself asking “Can I use that in a piece of jewelry?”.
Besides the jewelry you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love music and I love to dance. Give me a new playlist and enough room to move my feet and I'll dance for hours. My girls and I frequently find ourselves singing and dancing until we collapse.
What first drew you to jewelry design, especially re-purposing vintage items?
I've always gravitated to older jewelry, but only recently stumbled across altering them, essentially by need. I had a couple of older pieces that were damaged and refashioned them into one new piece. At first I wasn't sure I could do it, but then I found myself “dissecting” other pieces I had that I didn't like the way they were. After a dozen new pieces, I was hooked.
What inspires what you put in your shop?
Everything inspires me. For instance, we went to the Renaissance Fair in early February and as soon as I got home, I started thinking of different ways to incorporate some of the feminine elements I saw at the fair. The lovely pinks and greens of the fairies and the deeper blacks and reds adorning some of the wenches. As a general rule, I never make anything that I won't wear myself. In fact, it's often difficult to let go of a piece once it's complete.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Whether you are online or working locally, networking is essential. I've learned so much from all the local craftswomen here and made some great new friends. Online, I've found more answers about the origins of my pieces from teams and forums than from the research sites.
Where else can we find you?
If you're local to South Florida, you can probably find me at any of the underground Craft shows. Next week I'm doing my first “mainstream” event, the Green Expo with the City of Plantation, comprising of eco-friendly businesses and vendors. In March, I have an event at the Kreepy Tiki, hosted by the Kreepy Kittens and also will be a vendor at the Odd Duck craft show. For more local events or to keep up with my new listings, visit my facebook fan page here.
In addition to such inspiring words, Traci is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away this Keying of the Forest Necklace. This one of a kind gold necklace has a painted turn of the century skeleton key, a lion pendant, and is accented with an orange ribbon and amber beadwork.
The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on April 23rd so be sure to get in your entries by then!
To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Reinvintagejewelry, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding Reinvintagejewelry to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!
In addition, until April 23rd she will be offering a 10% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.
