SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
June 2010
Our featured designer for this month is Erin Prais-Hintz
My name is Erin Prais-Hintz and I design one-of-a-kind wearable works of art through my company Tesori Trovati Jewelry.
I live by two Life Resolutions: to live a creative life and to live a life without regrets. I started designing jewelry officially back in 2007 as a creative outlet (but actually for much longer), and I decided when I turned 40 that I would see where this hobby-gone-wild would take me because I didn't want to look back in another decade and have regrets because I didn't try.
I am a collector of interesting things and found objects are a personal favorite for me to work with in jewelry. I love the thrill of putting something that was once useful and utilitarian next to artisan created components and gemstones, pearls and other interesting beads. I enjoy watching people have that "aha" moment when they realize that this was a hardware store find, or a piece of cabinetry, or my personal favorite, a skeleton key once used to open secret doors. That is where the name Tesori Trovati originates...Italian for 'treasures found.' Each piece I create contains a treasure found just for you.
Designing meaningful jewelry for my clients is the greatest rush. One of my best strengths in designing is my listening skills. I 'interview' my clients to find out not just what colors work best for them, but what their lifestyle is, what is important to them, how they would like to wear it. The best compliment I ever receive is when someone says that the piece is an extension of them, something that is such a perfect fit for their personality and style. Often my clients are amazed that something was included in their design, because they were not even aware they had told me about it. I am not sure that I have a particular style, so I am constantly looking for that new technique or bead that can make my pieces stand out. I would rather have my designs look like YOU, rather than reflecting my style.
Using art beads is a particular love of mine. When you use a component in an original design that was purchased directly from the creator you are carrying around a mini-masterpiece. Their fingerprints are literally all over that bead. That is powerful and humbling and makes me want to make the best piece possible to showcase that special bead and these artisan bead makers actually become the muse for my designs.
In 2010 I selected two words to frame my year. UP and INSPIRE. I hope that by being positive and always striving to move forward I can satisfy the first word. And I want to be inspired every single day as well as seek to inspire others. I write a blog read by similar souls all over the world called Treasures Found::Inspiration is Everywhere. My goal is to inspire people everywhere to find creativity in everything they do. This year I started offering monthly Inspired by... design challenges based on themes. I invite you to stop by and join in the fun and meet some incredibly talented people from across the globe.
I believe that life is too short to eat cheap chocolate, drink bad wine and wear department store jewelry. You are unique and one of a kind in all the world and your accessories say a lot about who you are. You deserve to have a treasure found just for you, with Tesori Trovati Jewelry.
"Every day may not be good' but there is something good in every day."
Enjoy the day!
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