Lava Jewelry

admin · Lava Jewelry

Tell me about yourself.

My name is 'Chel, and I live near San Jose, California, with my three cats. I'm a geologist by training. I have a true love of rocks, not only how they form, but also how they look. I hope my love of geology comes through in my use of gemstones.

I would describe myself as hard-working, intelligent, and creative, although not always entirely centered. Both art and science are an integral part of me, and I'm still trying to figure out how to make both of those work in my life.

In addition to making jewelry and candles, I love travel, photography, tea, hiking, and camping. I also do a myriad of crafts, including drawing, watercolor, knitting, sewing, and crocheting.

What do you make? What are your favorite materials to work with? What is your favorite color?

I make Sterling silver gemstone jewelry and hand poured candles.

I love working with gemstones; I've always loved rocks, even when they're not gem-quality. I also love the pliability and malleability of metals like silver and copper. I love that you can manipulate them into shape, then harden them to hold that shape. I also love paraffin. I know that paraffin has fallen out of favor with a lot of people, but I find warm paraffin strangely comforting - I even like the way it smells. Most of the candles I make now are 100% soy candles, and I do love the "throw" they give to fragrance.

I could never pick a favorite color. I think every color has a use. In my wardrobe, I like to wear a lot of earthy colors. I prefer subdued colors in general, but I have an appreciation for all colors. It's fun to go outside my color comfort zone in making jewelry. That's one of the fun things about doing custom orders.

Where can people purchase your goods?

My jewelry and candles can be bought at my Etsy shop http://lavajewelry.etsy.com, on my web site http://lava-jewelry.com, and at local craft shows. I occasionally offer pieces directly on my blog http://cheldodge.net/blog as well as features of other Etsy shops.

what is your favorite thing you have ever created?

My favorite creation at the moment is a pendant I made by wire wrapping a blue stone I found in the Sierra Nevada. A friend of mine cabbed it, and I wire wrapped it. I'm fond of it because I found the stone myself instead of just buying it at a gem show.

What is the worst thing you have ever created?

The worst thing I remember creating was the first scarf I ever knitted. It was a hideous neon magenta/purply red color. I skipped stitches, I added extra stitches, the rows weren't even in width, and it ended up being about 10 feet long because I couldn't figure out how to bind off. And no, I don't have a photo of that wreck of radioactive acrylic yarn.

What inspires you to create?

My friends and family members provide inspiration for a lot of what I make. Most of the pieces of jewelry that I make are inspired by someone I care about; a memory with that person or just something they like. I also find inspiration in a certain color or a color combination, or in a certain gemstone. Sometimes I see a gemstone, and I instantly know what it needs to be made into. Occasionally a design will just pop in my head too. I'll wake up one morning with a clear picture, and I'll sketch it out before the mental image fades.

What is your favorite film/music/book/artist?

My favorite movies are Apollo 13 and The Jerk. The Jerk never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch it. I'm a big fan of blues and funk music - some AMAZING musicians in those genres! I like to read historical fiction, and real-life stories about mountain-climbing and volcanic eruptions. Some of my favorite fiction includes Frankenstein and Journey to the Center of the Earth. My favorite artist is my brother Michael, whose work can be seen at http://dodgemahal.org.

Who is the most important person in your life?

At the risk of sounding like a crazy old cat lady, my cat is the most important "person" in my life.

Who is your favorite DiY designer?

One of my favorite designers is someone I found recently on Etsy: http://jenclaire.etsy.com]JenClair. She creates Bohemian style clothing. I admire her use of texture and the flow of fabric in her designs. I was absolutely blown away when I saw her shop.

Do you have any advice for other DiY designers?

I think the best advice I can offer is not to be a perfectionist. It's good to be meticulous in your work, but don't let being non-perfect stop you from trying. I've met so many people who have been afraid to put themselves or their work out there because it's not perfect. I say jump in, and be willing to learn as you go.

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Lava Jewelry

Thanks so much for featuring me! I'm enjoying reading through all of these interviews.