Introducing.... Christian V Rodriguez

I have exiting news for you! I found an amazing Etsy shop and I want to introduce to you a wonderful artist! Her name is Christian V Rodriguez and she is a jewelry designer! I got inspired by her designs and illustrated a bookmark!

This one of a kind hand made bookmark was inspired by the latest designer piece from her shop! - Southwest Style Turquoise Howlite and Red Sponge Coral Collar!

Let's talk jewelry....




1. Please introduce yourself....

Greetings! My name is Christian V Rodriguez. I am 31 years old single mother, jewelry designer and smile master :)! I have been designing strung jewelry for about a decade and moved onto more elaborate pieces within the last four years. I had always considered what I do as a form of personal therapy, a way of relaxing and getting out of the daily grind. It wasn't until the people I came across, friends and strangers alike,  unanimously suggested that I put my work out for sale that I even considered that an option.

2. Why jewelry and what is your inspiration?

I originally began creating strung jewelry, focusing on the healing properties of the gemstones incorporated in my designs. I thought that a little extra energy from the earth  and it's stones could be beneficial to us all. From there I needed to challenge myself a bit more, thus the embroidered works came to be. I draw my inspiration from the gemstone beads themselves. They almost speak to me when I look at them. As an artist I began to listen and allow the pieces to take from. I tend to seek out pieces of a more earthly orientation, as the 'bling' phenomenon  has never been one I connected with. I come from as artistic family, with life and ethnicity that shake the rafters. There is no doubt that my upbringing influenced my drive to create.


3. How much time do you spend on one design and how does your design corner look like?

The amount of time spent on one design varies. I have spent hours just staring at a few different gemstones, moving them around into different patterns, only to store them back away for months until the design clicked. Often times I begin a  design and then walk away from it for days or weeks, as not to force the final outcome. Many of my finished embroidery creations took 60-80 hours to complete. My most recent work was close to 200 hours. Then there are smaller pieces culminated in under 20 hours.

Sometimes I am amazed I complete anything as my work space is a total disaster. I can have up to 5 projects going at once. I try to keep everything in reach and find that I lose time when I put things away only needing to search fro them moments later.

4. How do you stay on top of the game and when it comes to marketing and promoting your creations?

Attending to my most spectacular 3 year old son has made the task of finding time to market my work a difficult one. However, I find I am quite often asking his opinion when I am a bit stumped on specific combinations in my work. I have found that joining a few beading groups online has helped in that arena.

Many artists are quite eager to promote each other and the individuals in these groups have shown  overwhelming support for my art. They push my work for me on Facebook and Etsy and I do the same fro them. I have more recently begun organizing home jewelry parties which allow for my work to be appreciated on a local level.

5. Where do  you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I see myself doing the same things, creating pieces that I love, surrounding myself with those I love, and smiling so much it hurts. I do see a progression in my work, as I am sure to have new techniques in my repertoire. I aspire to collaborate with a clothing designer in order to incorporate my work into a clothing line. I hope that  the call for my custom pieces will grow. I feel as though my continued involvement in Etsy and Facebook will have gotten the word out about my work and that I will be creating much more to keep up with the demand of functional, wearable art. All of that aside, I will be thrilled to just be creating work that is appreciated by those closest to me.

You can find more amazing designs in her Etsy shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/christianvrodriguez
Check it out!

Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-V-Rodriguez-Bead-Embroidery-Artisan

Email and talk directly!
christianvrodriguez@yahoo.com


Your designs are stunning, trendy and in fashion!
Thank you!

If you want to be interviewed, feel free to contact me!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART