First off, please share links to your shop and other relevant sites so peeps can check them out!
Tell us a bit about yourself, Rosemary! Aside from creating jewelry, what are your interests?
I love creating anything! I love knitting, baking, photography, drawing, planning events, anything I can get my hands on! I love to read, I'm a huge literature and art history nerd. My art nerdiness is actually what go me into fashion/jewelry. I love seeing fashion as a form of art and self expression. :)
I also do a lot of volunteer work for my local library, which is something I recommend to all bookworms!What do you sell?
On my site I sell handmade necklaces and earrings. At craft shows I try out different things too, like hair pins and keychains. I've also done some photography and some logo design, but I don't consider myself accomplished enough to offer either online yet.
I really like the variety in your store-- everything from lovely Catholic medals to cute, indie jewelry such as bright owls and feathers. Where do you get your ideas? Do you "find" your creations as you make them, or do you plan them carefully before putting them together?
My ideas come from everything I love and find beautiful–and I guess that's why there's so much variety! I also love putting my own spin on trends and making them more affordable.
My jewelry definitely comes together as I go. I usually find some element that I love (like a certain color or charm) and work from there. I currently have a bag of Guatemalan worry dolls, a bunch of plastic cowgirl boot charms, and some vintage buttons lying on my desk. We'll see what happens!
Do you have any particular favorites?
Definitely the Our Lady of Guadalupe earrings. I think the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is so beautiful, and the earrings are so bright! Also the Maria necklace in gold. It is so shimmery and perfect for summer. I've been tempted to keep one for myself!
Where did your business name come from?
It's kind of a long story! I had started making jewelry and had just bought a table at a craft show and I desperately needed a name so I could make business cards and a website. I made all these huge lists of words I liked but everything I thought of was taken or felt forced. I was currently reading The Odyssey for school (and not enjoying it!) and I really liked the description of Athena as "bright-eyed." To me it's a description that refers to both wisdom and beauty.
I felt I had to add another word to it and the first thing I thought of was "Bright-Eyed Bird." I experimented with logos and kept drawing cute little owls. But it didn't feel right. As much as I love owls and birds, they were really popular at the time and not especially personal. Once I realized I was missing something personal, something that had to do with me, I knew it had to be Bear. Bear has been my family's nickname for me ever since my parents brought me home and my sister called me "Rosebeary" instead of Rosemary! ;)
Because of that, bears have always been my "thing." Bright-Eyed Bear alliterated, was personal, and I liked that it kept the nature-y theme. So I drew a logo and that was that. I still don't know if it's the perfect name. It might seem really weird to someone who has never thought of bears as cute or pretty. But it's very me! :)
Do you have any fave blog reads?
Yours of course!
I'm also really inspired by this crafty homeschooled girl: http://aslipperymaiden.blogspot.com/
For tons of crafts, tutorials, and recipes, and thoughts on running a business, I recommend: http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/
I also read waaay too many fashion blogs! Here's one of my favorites: http://www.kendieveryday.com/
Thanks, Rosemary! Guys, be sure to visit her lovely store. It's definately worth a look-over!
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