Nostalgic with an edge.

Random Facts About You?

I love collecting all sorts of antique and vintage items and cannot resist a garage sale or flea market.
I also work as a freelance writer and producer.
New York City is home to me, but I often imagine living in San Francisco.
I'm hooked on home decorating and design programs.

What got you started crafting?

What got me started crafting is a difficult question. It might have been arts & crafts in day camp, a grandmother who sewed, or simply an appreciation and admiration of most things handcrafted. I began making bracelets after my grandmother died and I had her wonderful collection of vintage buttons. I picked it up and put it aside. Last year, while staying with my elderly parents, I started again and began experimenting with more materials. My pieces include vintage items from the Victorian era through the 1960s. When I find things with colors, textures and shapes that spark my imagination, they often become parts of jewelry projects. I have tried other crafts, but I think I gravitated to jewelry because I live in a small city apartment and it is easier to work with small materials. And, of course, there is my weakness for bold, unique statement jewelry, either handmade or vintage. Wearing things that I see coming and going is just not my style.

What is your source of inspiration?

I am inspired by vintage and antique jewelry, and the individual elements that I collect. A button, buckle, game piece or plumbing part might just spark an idea for a bracelet or necklace.

What have you made recently?

I recently made my Smile Punk bracelet. I came across a fun assortment of plumbing valves at a flea market. Steampunk is a style that I like and started to play around with a few months ago. I looked at the watch parts and some jewelry pieces that I had and a face came to mind. So, I thought, why not bring a bit of humor to the style. My Steampunk pieces usually include vintage buttons somewhere in the design because I started with button jewelry. In this piece, it is the eyes. But, my favorite part might be the red watch face mouth.

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I sell my jewelry through my website, which links to my shop in the Handmade Artists' Shop. I have been known to sell a piece off my wrist or neck.

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

Mass production and mass communications have made homes and personal looks to be very homogenized. Gone are the regional differences of a couple generations ago. Handmade allows me to step off the assembly line and be surrounded by things that are individual. Each handmade item is infused with the talent and personality of its creator. Looking at handmade sites online, or at arts and crafts shows, I invariably find things that I feel reflect my personal style. I really appreciate that when I see something wonderful that I could not have created. I hope that people will see reflections of their personal styles in my creations.

Find Me

Location
New York City

Email Address
Lisa Rosenberg

Personal Website
http://uniqlets.com

Facebook
http://facebook.com/uniqlets