Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Alisha Louise Designs

I love the jewelry of Alisha Louise Alderman of Alisha Louise Designs. Alisha’s designs are simple, yet intricate; full of bold rich colors; and inspired by vintage art & design. I’m very happy to be able to share my interview with Alisha with you today on Indie Artist Fixx. Enjoy!

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

My business name is Alisha Louise Designs. I sell handmade enamel, sterling silver and gold fill jewelry. All designs are original and created by me in my Portland studio.

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

I began working with metal and enamel in 2000 after quitting a corporate job with the vague notion of eventually working for myself. After several production jobs with other jewelry companies, I started Alisha Louise Designs in the spring of 2005.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

The natural world, historic textiles and home (tile, wallpaper, furniture, etc.) wares and the influence of my friends and family, all of whom have great and unique tastes.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

When you are starting out, keep costs low. It doesn’t make sense to go into big debt when you are still figuring out your market and aesthetic. Work for other designers you admire–the practical lessons are invaluable. Take a chance and write to any magazine/store/website you’d love to be in, even if it seems impossible. Keep everything (your website, business cards, correspondence, etc.) very professional and potential clients will treat you accordingly.

5. What three things can’t you live without?

A kiln, a torch and many notebooks for writing down schedules and ideas.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

I love that my career is self-driven, creative and very diverse. The sense of accomplishment in landing a big client, exceeding my goals and getting national magazine placement is fantastic. On the flip side, it can be very stressful financially as I am still a new business and my month-to-month income varies wildly. I have so many ideas I’d like to implement, but a small budget to work with. Sometimes it’s hard to know what field to concentrate on (marketing, designing, booking shows) to make the biggest impact on my business.

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

I love design blogs and read so many of them. Ultrapdx.com, designsponge, littlewillow are just a few.

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?

Always! I was just talking with my mom about how I’d break out the craft box and make things when the family was watching tv or lounging together. I’ve always made beaded jewelry, little sewing projects and collages.

9. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I like both, but would rather have a dog in my house.

10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both. 😉

Indie means doing it yourself without a net. All production, designing and marketing is street level and usually done by one or just a few passionate people. Indie also means offering an alternative to mega-retailers who do production overseas, supporting other local vendors (for me, all of my vendors are based in the USA, many within 200 miles from my home), and offering something special to the public. Many of would love to shop local, but don’t have the resources to afford it. I work hard to keep my prices within reach of all shoppers without sacrificing quality and uniqueness.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

I’ve gotten back into reading in a big way recently. Just finished 3 Russell Banks novels, some Tobias Wolfe, and I always have a short story collection by Alice Munro or Raymond Carver handy. NPR and classic rock have been studio staples lately, though I always love a good new indie band in the vein of Band of Horses or the Bees. Kind of 70’s revival with a new twist. Oh, and bad reality TV is a vice. Should I admit that?

12. What’s one thing you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew when you were a kid?

Don’t be afraid to go for what you want. As an entrepreneur, you are always faced with failure and reinvention, but it shouldn’t hold you back from going after your dreams. Don’t worry about where you should be and what everyone else has concerning career and money. Realize that there are so many people in the world that would love to pursue their passions, but are also afraid to take the risk.

13. What’s new for 2008? Any new plans or products that you want to share?

I just released my new collection on www.alishalouise.com and have big goals for 2008. Looking to do a trade show and expand my market and am working on an etsy site that will feature deeply discounted and new-but-not-on-the-website creations. Coming very soon!