Friday Features No. 22 -- Featuring Jennifer Rydin Designs

Good morning! I'm actually getting a Friday Feature posted on a Friday! Yay! I'm in the middle of doing all sorts of publicity graphics for my church's women's retreat coming up in October, so it has been a busy week for me. But I'm still getting this out on Friday, so we're good!

Today, we are featuring someone who I've had marked as a favorite on Etsy for a LONG time now! I love her jewelry!!! And she is actually giving away my favorite pair of earrings for her giveaway this segment!!! Today we are featuring Jennifer of Jennifer Rydin Designs.

Let's find out a little more about Jennifer, and her business.

TDB: When did you first start creating jewelry, and why?
Jennifer: I started creating jewelry full-time about 2 years ago. I found myself in awe of another jewelry designer who inspired me, so I decided to go for it and start creating jewelry of my own. I've been creating art for as long as I can remember... It actually feeds my soul. I love using my hands and my imagination to create something visually appealing that will help someone express their personality and individuality.

TDB: What is your inspiration for such gorgeous pieces of jewelry?
Jennifer: I love history, music and poetry - many of my designs are inspired by these muses in my life. I adore Jane Austen and Shakespeare... I'm inspired by art and all things vintage. Even my brand new designs may have a vintage feel - I tend to have a love for Victorian turn of the century style as well as 40's and 50's retro.

TDB: I see that some of your pieces are now being sold at the Globe Theater in London! How cool is that!!! How did that come about for you?
Jennifer: I was contacted by London based artist, Elizabeth Schuch. She creates incredible works of art depicting Shakespeare's greatest works. She wanted to collaborate with me and I was incredibly honored. It's been a blessing working with her. Her artwork is sold there and now they are giving my necklaces a go as well.

TDB: What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Jennifer: That's a tough one. I've been given lots of great advice over the years. I will never forget a quote I heard from one of my favorite movies - I've never forgotten it and it stays with me...
"I think that we can't go around... measuring our goodness by what we don't do or by what we deny ourselves, what we resist, and who we exclude. I think... we've got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create... and who we include."
Quote from the movie "Chocolat"...

TDB: What is your favorite thing to create?
Jennifer: Of course I love creating my jewelry! I must admit, my favorite thing to create is memories with my family... especially spending time with my little boy who is 7 years old. Boys are amazing ~ I never thought I would know so much about Spiderman and Star Wars! :)

TDB: What do you do in your "spare time"?
Jennifer: I love listening to music ~ mostly jazz and I love listening to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. I was raised in the Midwest, so it reminds me of my childhood home. :) I also love hanging out with my family ~ playing games together or going on nature hikes. We have to take advantage of all the beauty here in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado!

Thanks for sharing Jennifer. I know what you mean about creating memories with family. I have two boys now, and even though we still really want a girl, I'm really enjoying being a mom of boys! My husband is such a great role model and loves being "Dad"!

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So here's the fun part: the giveaway! Jennifer is giving away a pair of her "Jenny" earrings.

"Ah, so divine, little lightweight flowers accented with silver and faceted chocolate brown glass beads. These cheerful flowers will be a great addition to all of your outfits. They measure 10mm long and the petal span is 15mm at the widest part. Genuine handmade sterling silver ear wires complete this delightful look."

How to enter:

*Please go look in on Jennifer's shop on Etsy.com, and come back here and comment on which piece of jewelry is your favorite.

*Please be sure to have a valid email address available to me, whether in your blogging profile, or in your comment. If you're "anonymous", and you don't leave an email, I will delete your comment before I choose the winner.

*Earn 1 extra entry by blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave an additional comment if you blog about it. Be sure to leave the URL to your blog post.

*This giveaway is open worldwide.

*DEADLINE: Thursday, August 21st at Midnight PST.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Angie