SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
June 2006

Our featured designer for this month is Filiz Serbes.

Hi, I'm Filiz Serbes, and I am so honored to be among the designers chosen by Soft Flex to be featured on this site. It's a bit intimidating, being among these very talented and experienced artists and craftspeople. I'm quite new to this, and, as many others have said, I fell into it in the most unexpected and fortuitous way.

It all started in the winter of 2004, when I was doing some very early spring cleaning. I came across some balls of yarn and my old crochet hooks. I learned to crochet in the sixth grade from a favorite teacher of mine, and, from time to time since, have picked it up and made little gifts for friends and family. I'm an attorney for the government by day, so in the evenings, it's really nice to kick back and relax through crocheting, beading, and just getting a chance to be creative.

Finding that yarn really revived my crafting desires, and I got lots of positive feedback. As a result, I went one step further and actually started my own small business (without giving up the day job!) to see how it would go. At the same time, I started playing around with some gems and beads that I had accumulated because I have always loved jewelry and been interested in the meanings and energy of gemstones.

So, how did I end up applying to be a designer of the month with Soft Flex? My friend Jean, who's been so supportive and a great source and sounding board for design ideas, mentioned to me that her friend's Buddhist meditation beads' cording kept breaking and asked if I had any ideas. Soft Flex's .019 medium wire immediately came to mind since both strength and smooth flexibility are critical elements in a set of "juzu" or "mala" that are used every day. Since I wanted to give Jean something meaningful for all of her feedback and help, I figured I would try to make a set of juzu for her.

It's really a privilege and pleasure to create a special set of juzu for someone's daily practice. I think I get as much or more out of designing and making a set as the person for whom it is being made! Each set is a chance to capture the unique qualities and personal nature of the recipient and hopefully to bring a bit of joy every time the set is used. I try to carefully select gemstones and accent pieces that will enhance his or her practice and bring positive energy to areas of concern and interest, such as love (rose quartz), finances (agate), health (peridot), etc. I love doing custom orders of juzu and decided to expand my business to offer this service. I can't wait to see where my "craftiness" and my customers' desires take me next!

You can see all of my products on my website \www.manycreativegifts.com or please email me with any requests or questions you may have.