Monday, May 18, 2009

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!

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.


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.

102 comments:

Nina said...

My favorite flower is the Tiger Lily!

irina.sagarbarria at gmail dot com

Nina said...

I follow both of your blogs!

irina.sagarbarria at gmail dot com

Nina said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/nina0205/statuses/1837480586

irina.sagarbarria at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

My favorite flower is the stargazer lily.

My favorites of hers are the magnets I featured on my blog a few weeks ago!

http://monkitaknits.blogspot.com/2009/04/michigan-etsy-shop-of-day-albion.html

www.lafemmemonkita.etsy.com

lafemmemonkita@gmail.com

Amy (the b-line) said...

This is wonderful, Lory. Thanks! Keep those flowers coming, ladies! I'm looking for new inspiration. :)

Jennifer Cowgill said...

My favorite flower is a hydrangea blossom. Great interview!

Waxy said...

My favorite flower is the ranunculus (i like it so much I can't spell it!)
etsy user name: sillypuppy

Anonymous said...

My favorite flower is a tulip!! Thanks so much for the giveaway! --Michelle, blogattoday ([at} gmaildotcom

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/sweepstakesgirl/status/1837496304. --Michelle, blogattoday ([at} gmaildotcom

Wehaf said...

I love peonies!

urchiken at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

my favorite flowers are Dahlias.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

I follow both of your blogs!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

miznyc said...

I am a big fan of the calla lily! I don't know how Amy has time for it all! And on top of that, she is sweet!

lillyella said...

count me in on this fabulous giveaway please! My favorite flower is a waterlily, followed by any other kind of lily. surprised? ha!
I also love anemones and ranuculas.

I follow amy's blog and Im going to twitter now, thanks!

nicole
lillyella.etsy.com

lillyella said...

oh and thanks for lovin' on my bracelet ladies!

SavingDiva said...

My favorite flower is a tulip

savingforhome at gmail dot com

K. Nice said...

My favorite flower would have to be the daisy. :)

http://www.kniceartworks.etsy.com

K. Nice said...

I tweeted! :)

http://kniceartworks.blogspot.com

Cabootique said...

I love tulips!

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

jasmine said...

i love lilies! the white ones more so than the pink. :D

jasmine said...

i also follow both your blogs (privately)

Jessica said...

My favorite flower is the carnation. Most people I know are not fond of them but that only makes me like them more. I also fancy morning glories. I have added both of your blogs to my followed list. I'm very excited to read more by both of you.

www.jessmiloo.blogger.com
Jessmiloo@Yahoo.com

Sydney said...

My favorite flower is the Cala Lily

scoobidoo540@aol.com

Sydney said...

I follow both of your blogs :)

scoobidoo540@aol.com

Celeste said...

My favorite flower is Hydrangeas!

...I follow your blog & Amy's blog!

~Celeste

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Lory said...

Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful comments and suggestions so far!

Anonymous said...

My favorite flower is a calla lily.

I do follow Amy's blog, as well as her Etsy shop from which I bought several bracelets for my wedding party. I also blogged the contest.

A lovely interview, thank you!

http://alifeunplanned.com

Tammy said...

The calla lily is my favorite flower

tmmylm at gmail

Catherine said...

I know basically nothing about flowers (sorry!), but I'm loving the purple pom pom flowers in people's yards now with the very tall stem - quite Seussical!

catherineh_78@yahoo.com

Tammy said...

I followed your blog

tmmylm at gmail

SheReads said...

My absolute favorite are daffodils - especially the plain old fashioned yellow ones - my hope is to have them in place of a headstone when I move on to another life - so they will bring joy to others for many, many springs to come.
Enjoy your blog and the Tweets!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

My favourite flower is the rose, but I also love cyclamen and lilacs and lilies and iris and orchids. :)

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1841746613

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

tweeted #2

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I'm a follower on Blogger. :) Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I'm a follower of Amy's blog on Blogger. :) Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

follower entry #3

Spamgirl said...

follower entry #4

Spamgirl said...

follower entry #5

x said...

I love fire and ice roses. =)

~Kathy
kathymartinstudio@yahoo.com

Kristin said...

Great interview and giveaway! My favorite flower is the gardenia.

I follow Amy's blog.

I'm going to buy one of Amy's bracelets (mercedes bracelet) tonight.

Thanks!
Kristin
sundstromk@saic.com

Unknown said...

I love Calla Lillies! Or Pink Roses. Honestly I love all flowers there so pretty and each one is different! Thanks for the chance for this beautiful necklace.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

Cherry Blossoms said...

My favorite flower is a Peonie!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail dot com

Stephanie Nelson Castaneda-Clark said...

Hi!!!!
I have soooo many favorite flowers!!!!!

I think I have to say "roses".
My favorite kind are spray roses,
I love their sweet little blooms, and there are so many on one stem!!!!

stephclark.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

I love poppies!!! All colors, love em!

Anonymous said...

follower #1

Anonymous said...

follower#2

Anonymous said...

follower#3

Anonymous said...

follower#4

Anonymous said...

follower#5

BandaiBlossom said...

Name: Linda Chen

Answer: My favourite flower would either be a simple, red rose -OR- a pink/orange Lillium.

Email: bandaiblossom(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks for the chance!

Abie said...

My favorite flowers are daffodils. they are so bright and cheerful. I absolutely love them.

abigail.lee{AT}gmail.com

Aik said...

I love roses, especially red ones!

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#1 Tweet!

http://twitter.com/aikychien/status/1846053074

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#2 Tweet!

http://twitter.com/aikychien/status/1846053074

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#1 Follow The Sunshine Studio and Amy's b-line blog.

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#2 Follow The Sunshine Studio and Amy's b-line blog.

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#3 Follow The Sunshine Studio and Amy's b-line blog.

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#4 Follow The Sunshine Studio and Amy's b-line blog.

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

#5 Follow The Sunshine Studio and Amy's b-line blog.

aikychien(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Lovely interview!

My favorite flower is the Cala Lily. Simple and elegant.

KaraAnnisJewelry.etsy.com

Unknown said...

My favorite flower is the Carnation
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Jennifer Pellicone said...

Asa botanist it is hard to narrow down my favorite...ummm...I would choose the daisy, Gerbera in particular. Big, bold yet calming.
cspmom at gmail dot com

Ariela Bonen said...

I love the Margaret Necklace. I love the color combination.

rbkcreations@gmail.com

Rosanne said...

I love most kinds of lilies!

Rosanne

srdreyer(at)rogers(dot)com

Emily said...

My favorite flower is probably the sunflower - I love its burst of color.

ecibelli(at)wellesley(dot)edu

Rose said...

I love red roses. They have always been my favourite.
black_roses_25 at hotmail dot com

discogirl said...

I love daisies!
My info is on my profile page :)

discogirl said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/sodisko/status/1853887129

discogirl said...

I follow both of your blogs :)

Anonymous said...

My favorite flower is lilac :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Anonymous said...

I Tweeted the giveaway :
http://twitter.com/TheLuckyLadybug/status/1856759896
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Anonymous said...

I'm following you on Blogger :)
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Anonymous said...

I'm following Amy on Blogger :)
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Anonymous said...

I blogged about the giveaway :
http://theluckyladybug.org/2009/05/524-margaret-necklace-giveaway/
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Alex Clark said...

Hey Lory and Amy! My favorite flower is the water lily!


My etsy name is pixiehollow,and my email is alexchipmunk@gmail.com!


Thanks,Alex

Becky Pool said...

I was born and raised in Texas, so my favorite flower is definitely a Yellow Rose!



rebekahjpool@gmail.com

Becky Pool said...

Also following both of your blogs!



rebekahjpool@gmail.com

Catherine Ivins said...

I love Amy's jewelry and wear a ring I bought from her all the time and alway get compliments on it. I have many fave flowers- right now it is the lily of the valley- because they are in full bloom in my yard and just a couple leave an entire room smelling wonderful!

Maya's Kalupi said...

Hi!
My favorite flower is TULIP! I love all the different colors of it.

My EtsyShopName is mayaskalupi
Email add is mayas.kalupi.etsy.com

NewYorkMemos said...

Oh how beautiful! The necklace is gorgeous. My favorite flower is the lotus, it brings me peace and a sense of freedom whenever I see it. ^_^

~Nyny
NewYorkTran@gmail.com

janil said...

roses!!!!

Thanks!
I'm Janil from Spain...

cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

janil said...

Follow boyh of you!

cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

My favorite flowers are daisies.

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Following both your blogs #1

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Follow #2

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Follow #3

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Follow #4

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Follow #5

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Lona said...

Right now (yes, it changes) my favorite flower is the peony.

Lona at shadysidefarm.etsy.com

Lona said...

I follow this blog.

Lona said...

I follow Amy's blog.

Lona said...

I tweeted. :-)

Amy (the b-line) said...

Thanks for all of your feedback, everyone! Isn't it wonderful that there are so many flowers to choose from!?

Becka said...

My favorite flowers are tulips!

-Becka
chai.becka[at]gmail[dot]com

babalisme said...

I love Amelie necklace!!

babalisme (at) yahoo (dot) com

babalisme said...

Followed both adorable blogs!

babalisme (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

I don't think it comes as much a surprise that my favorite flowers are marigolds.

boldnessbe(at)gmail(dot)com

Michele Maule said...

My favorite flowers are Dahlias!!
Love amy's shop! So much talent!

I also tweeted :)

http://twitter.com/michelemaule

You can reach me at
http://www.michelemaule.etsy.com

Unknown said...

These interviews are so much fun! I love them and loved getting to know sweet Amy a little better! Thank you ladies!
xo
Melis

Jaimee McClellan said...

What a fun interview!
(I'm an LillyElla bracelet owner too...love that leaf garland!!!)

My favorite flower would have to be the Ranunculus!

~Jaimee
ModernClassicsKids(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jaimee McClellan said...

Just Tweeted too ;)