Lin of Flaunt Rox and Flaunt Designs Jewelry
August 27, 2009 | By
Introducing Lin, of FlauntDesignsJewelry and FlauntRox. She admits to dabbling in paints and photography. But now she mainly sticks to jewelry; primarily sterling silver and gemstones. She has an English accent that Texans think is "cute" and claims to be able to talk the hind legs off a donkey. Let's find out more about this delightful lady:
Name: Lin
Shop names: FlauntDesignsJewelry and FlauntRox
Location: Plano, Texas
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
I came up with the name for my shop after running through various spins on serendipity, bijoux & elegance and finding them all taken. Flaunt is an old English word that goes back to the 16th century, meaning “to show off one’s finery to one’s friends”. Seemed to fit and be fun at the same time, especially since I AM English.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium and why you chose it?
I’m not sure whether I chose to make jewelry or it chose me… It started when I needed something fiddly to do to stop me going crazy at a difficult time in my life, and I bought some cheap beads and ribbon and began constructing. I have definitely evolved, from the simple stringing of beads to now making my own ear wires and pendants, doing wire wrapping and hand stamping pieces. No-one taught me, so I have made lots of mistakes along the way, but developed my own style and technique. Funky, I’m sure, but it works for me!
Tell us about your workspace
My workspace is known by the rest of the family as the kitchen table! I store my supplies in a cupboard in the corner.
Where can we find your work?
You can find my work adorning the bodies of people on 6 continents, because I have friends from all over the world, (but none of the penguins I befriended were interested in jewelry…)
Seriously, I have 2 shops on Etsy: www.flauntdesignsjewelry.etsy.com and www.flauntrox.etsy.com
I also have a web site at www.flauntdesigns.com though I am winding this one down. Unfortunately, neither the Met’ NY nor the Tate London have discovered me yet, though I have "flaunted" in both!
What kind of music do you listen to (if any) when you create?
If I need to think to work out and balance a design, I’ll have something soothing on like a Rachmaninov piano concerto or the Garden State film soundtrack, but if I am going full pelt hammering out sterling, it’s likely to be U2, reggae or even opera. Yeah, I have eclectic tastes, but I need music with me!
What has been your most successful marketing technique?
Lord, I wish that I HAD a successful marketing technique! I sell the most when people can see, touch & try on pieces in real life in relaxed surroundings, so the jewelry parties I host are good – when anyone comes!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why?
If I could live anywhere, it would be back in my hometown south of London, UK – or in Provence, southern France; lavender, mountains, hill towns, and the haunt of inspirational artists such as Cezanne – mmmm. Beauty inspires. French is cool!
How about some of your favorites?
Food: lightly grilled sea bass, crusty French bread, sun-warmed tomatoes, champagne and sweet strawberries… Hey, I can’t help it, I’m Taurus, I love my food!
Movie: “Chocolat”, based on the evocative novel by Joanne Harris and starring Johnny Depp, Judi Dench & Juliet Binoche. Listen to it in French and just imagine the rich smell of cocoa, the texture of chocolate melting on your tongue, the kiss of a cool north wind. The movie is a study of subtle sensuality and intricate relationships.
TV show: Grey’s Anatomy or C.S.I. New York….
Quote: “Keep it simple, do it well”
Who is your hero - artistic or otherwise?
Anyone who has gone against the grain to do good for others in difficult times.
Do you have a favorite handmade item that you like to buy for yourself?
I like to buy handcrafted glass beads for my Troll bracelet, handmade cards, mineral make-up and bath fizzies, and there are some fabulous sellers on Etsy!
Do you have a favorite item that you have made?
Each new piece I make is my new favorite item! I am very fond of my “Elizabeth” pendant, though, because it is very meaningful to me, honouring a friend.
Have you made anything that you just can't bear to part with?
There is a pair of earrings that I have made from frosty green antique Venetian glass beads that I won’t part with. The beads were a couple left over from an old, broken necklace belonging to my Nan. I found them in the bottom of my childhood jewellery box and carted them to college, into marriage, to a new continent. She died when I was 17.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Believe me, inspiration can strike at the oddest times and come from the strangest sources. A piece of rotten driftwood being tossed about by murky green waves off the south coast of England became the most beautiful goldfill chain necklace with wire wrapped smoky quartz, amazonite & freshwater pearls. Really!
What is the best thing and the worst thing about being your own boss?
The best thing about being your own boss is that you get to make all your own decisions. The worst thing about being your own boss is that you HAVE to make all your own decisions!
Photos courtesy of FlauntRox and FlauntDesignsJewelry
All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior
written permission of HandmadeNews.org.
