Hall of Fame {the b-line}

Meet Amy, the lovely face behind the b-line, in the first of my new Hall of Fame series.

A talented college professor and jewelry designer from Michigan, Amy divulges a bit about herself below.



What made you decide to create jewelry?
I've been making jewelry for several years, mainly because I would go to the shops looking for something I had in mind and couldn't find it. It was just easier to do it myself! My polymer clay line was designed from necessity. I had made a few bracelets with floral beads and couldn't find any more of them. So I decided to try to make them myself. My flowers look nothing like the original beads I was trying to "replace", and I'm okay with that. I actually like mine better!

What inspires you?
It's hard to pin down, really. I'm inspired by all sorts of things. From things I see in nature (particularly flowers, but no big surprise there, I'm sure!), to fashion magazines to photographs. I'd say more often than not, my ideas start with colors that intrigue me. I work with shapes and textures with those colors in mind.

flor dangly earrings

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I spent a fair amount of time in my high school and college days with my flute firmly planted on my lips. For a few years, I really thought I'd be a professional musician. But my distaste for practicing as much as I needed to kinda nipped that dream in the bud. That, and I figured I'd make a better living as a chemist. Still, I enjoyed playing in orchestra and small ensembles all through college. That said, it's been a while since I practiced...perhaps I made the right career choice!

dolly necklace

How did you choose the name "the b-line?" Any special significance?
Actually my husband chose the name. My maiden name and married name both begin with "B", and since I was designing a new line of jewelry, he thought it was fitting. And I liked it too. I liked that the letter "B" could be interpreted in different ways, standing for different things, like bold, beautiful, etc. And I've long had a fondness for bees!

Tell us about your day job.
By day, I teach inorganic chemistry at a small liberal arts college. The majority of my students are first years and sophomores who don't have too much experience with chemistry. I really enjoy helping them learn just a little bit about how things work on a molecular level. It's really fascinating.

margaret bracelet

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

I'm just so thrilled that there are so many lovely people out there who want to wear the things that I make! Honestly, the conversations I have with customers just makes my day.

What is your most prized possession?

Hmm.. this is a tough one. I do love so many things and I don't know how I could choose just one. Top three on my list: my wedding dress, my engagement ring, and a quilt that my parents had made for me when I was about 10. But I treasure the people and creatures in my life far more than any of these!

fruit and herb magnet set

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Oh, where to begin?! Can I just tell you that "meeting" other artisans has been one of the most wonderful parts of joining the handmade workforce! Again, I can't settle on just one, so here are a few!

I just bought this shirt and so love it! Along with this, I'm set for summer.
This bracelet is a new staple (Lory: I own this bracelet too, and totally agree!) and
I've been wearing these earrings regularly for about a year. I just love 'em!
Finally, I leave the house each day with this sweet pouch in my handbag.

shops shown above:
Lillyella, lamixx, rose la biche, The Peach Tree, oktak

List ten of your most favorite things.
Since I just gave quite a list of things I treasure, I'm going to go with the things you can't buy.

• my husband's hugs
• bright sunshine streaming in the windows early in the morning
• jogging with my weimaraner, Lola (her sheer excitement at the word "jog" motivates me)
• listening to our lab, Sita, howl (it's really funny)
• singing a good praise song at the top of my lungs (usually in the car)
• feeling loved
• the first snow
• going home (my parents have found a way to make the phrase "you can never go home again" seem ridiculous)
• Christmas
• shopping with my mom and sister (although they often "lose" me as I wander off...)

sophie ring

A big thank you to Amy for taking part in this interview and sharing a little bit about herself!

Giveaway Time

Amy has so graciously offered one of her gorgeous Margaret Necklaces for this giveaway!
The winner will win one for her very own!

Contest Rules:
Because she, "spends a fair amount of time making and photographing flowers", Amy would like to know what your favorite flower is!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name, answer, and email address or Etsy username.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow mine and Amy's blogs: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from the b-line: 10 additional entries
(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries.)

Contest ends Sunday, May 24th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, May 25th.