Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Imogene

In addition to being a total sweetie, Annie of imogene is a really talented jewelry artist. I first discovered Annie’s work at a Charm City Craft Mafia (Baltimore) craft show and it was love at first site.  I feature a lot of jewelry artists on this site, but Annie’s metalsmithed creations really stand out to me.  So much so, that I couldn’t help but purchase my own imogene original. Annie is constantly reinventing herself and just when you think you have her style pegged, she comes out with a new collection.

I’m really pleased to be able to share my interview with Annie with you for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx.

Plus, make sure to visit imogene or Annie’s Etsy shop to receive 25% off your entire order with coupon code “bananas”!

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

My business goes by the name of imogene (and here too) and I create and sell jewelry.   I use mostly sterling silver and metalsmithing fabrication techniques.  My aim is to make fun and quirky jewelry that is, at the same time, elegant.

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

In 2005, imogene started as an online boutique featuring the work of indie designers from North America and beyond.  I ran the boutique at the same time that I worked a day job in a cubicle.  As time and energy permitted for me to work in my own jewelry studio, I began to add my own designs to the store collection.  Soon enough, I found that my true passion is working at the jeweler’s bench.  In 2007, I quit my cubicle job to focus on imogene, my jewelry collection.

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

In art, I look to all the aspects of my life for inspiration whether it be a tidbit from nature or pop culture- anything can spark an idea.  Travel never fails to give me a huge creative boost.In life, I look to the strong, successful, and independent women in history and our modern times as role models.

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

One word- persevere!

5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you like to have with you?

Oh dear, This one is so hard!
–  a John Steinbeck collection to stay sane
– a great pair of sneakers to stay comfortable
– an emergency flare so that I might escape and get back to my real life!

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

There are so many things I love about my job. At the top of my list- I really enjoy meeting clients at shows or seeing a piece of my jewelry out there in the real world.  It makes me SO HAPPY to think that something that I made can be passed on to make a person feel happy, beautiful, or stylish.

I would say that the worst AND best thing about my job is being my own boss.  I am completely responsible for all aspects of my business and while there is such freedom and liberation in this fact, it also comes with LOADS of stress.  With all that said, at the end of the hardest day, I can say that I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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

I am a blog and mag JUNKIE.  I have so many blogs on my feed- everything from food styling, to celebrity gossip, to fashion, to crafting.

Right now my favorites, (not including indie fixx!) are
creature comforts
elsa mora
cute overload
Magazines – Runner’s World, Eelle, CRAFT:,  People, Metalsmith.
This is a vice of mine really- I’m trying really hard to tone it down with all the glossy paper mags that are piling up in my recycling bin.

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?
I always loved to make things with paper, marker, scissors and glue.  I remember making many collages as a kid- I love glue and scissors!

9. Do you like to cook, if so, share your favorite thing to cook. If not, share something you enjoy that someone else prepares for you.
I do love to cook when time allows it to be a leisure activity.  Otherwise- I think of it as a bit of a chore!  Right now, I’m having loads of fun exploring the cookbook, Veganomican.

10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both. 😉
To me, indie means being in charge of your own destiny.  In the end, I answer to myself and follow my dreams and visions- no one else’s- that is indie.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?
I’m mostly a fiction and classics girl.  Right now I’m a big fan of Jhumpa Lahiri.  After I finished Unaccustomed Earth, I immediately went out and picked up Interpreter of Maladies.

We are a netflix household.  We probably watch 4-5 movie a week.  The last few things in our player were Serpico, The Simpsons Season 3, and Knocked Up- lots of variation in genres there!  Also, I like to watch Animal Planet with my younger dog, Dottie- she loves Meerkat Manor- I swear!

And currently, Brandi Carlyle and Death Cab for Cutie are on repeat in studio.    I just started training for a half-marathon and I’ve found that Led Zeppelin gets me through the runs.

12. What’s one thing you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew when you were a kid?
That being a kid is WAY more fun!!!  I remember, as a child, being so eager to “grow up”- but nothing beats the carefree days of kid-dom.

13. What’s new? Any new plans or products that you want to share?
My perpetual plan is to learn as much as possible about how to be a successful business woman leading a well balanced life.  How’s that for generalization 🙂 My favorite new product is a collaboration with my friend Rachel, of red prairie press:  Each of Rachel’s bridesmaids received custom-made necklaces that match the motif of her hand printed invitation!  The designs are now available to the public in my etsy shop (first image below).