I recently caught up with jewelry designer and lampwork artist Aziza Browne to find out a little more about her work. In addition to designing jewelry, she makes all of the glass beads used in her work, and on top of that, she also crafts absolutely beautiful ceramics and pottery!
Tell me a little about yourself and your work. Well my name is Aziza Browne and I am a glass bead artist and jewelry designer. I design and create every piece of jewelry in my shop. All of the beads are made by me with Italian glass using a gas torch. I also just started making hair accessories.
How did you get started as a designer? I began making jewelry when I was about 9 from little polymer clay beads that I made. I loved forming things, especially wearable art, from a very young age. My beads were always colorful and bright and my jewelry was very eclectic and funky. My mom still wears some of my older jewelry and loves it! When I graduated from college in 2001, I knew I wanted to work with glass and after finding a class in glass beadmaking, I knew I had found my calling. I absolutely loved it and haven’t stopped making glass beads jewelry since. After selling my jewelry at a few craft fairs and art shows I decided to really get serious about selling my jewelry online just recently.
What inspires your work? Nature inspires my work, believe it or not. And color. And current fashion trends, although I wouldn’t consider my jewelry ‘trendy’ in the least bit! There is just so much that inspires me. I might be taking a trip to the grocery store, picking out vegetables and think, “Wow these peppers would look great as a pair of earrings! Or better yet I want to make this strawberry into a necklace!” Everyday things inspire me and also making jewelry with a specific outfit in mind inspires me to be creative as well. I am really into colors, bright colors, and I love shiny sparkly things, which also ties into my love of fashion! I tend to use a lot of Swarovski crystals to bring sparkle to my pieces.
Who are your favorite designers? I have a lot of favorites, but for time’s sake I will name just a few. I love tortillagirl’s clothing designs, and Ahpeele. I love tortillagirl’s sense of timelessness. With Ahpeele, I think their clothing is so fun and unique. I really love all of their clothes and the fact that they are both so savvy as business owners. Also Chie Mihara’s shoes…I love her story and her designs are so unique plus they look super comfy but still trendy. I also am a big J. Crew fan! I just love the fact that they have all sailing and boat theme clothing and have a lot of metallic shiny hair accessories and shoes now.
What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? My top fashion must haves: Fancy metallic hairband, especially in the summertime to keep my hair out of my face while I work. Ballerina flats, because they are so cute and you can dress them up or down! Beauty Must haves: Clear lip gloss (a classic but its got to be shiny), liquid eye-liner, and mascara.
What advice would you would give to aspiring designers? Follow your dreams…and never stop working at your craft or your passion. Always believe in yourself. Also always be working on new work and new designs.
Where can people find your work? For now just on my new web site: azizajewelry.etsy.com (jewelry) and creativeutility.etsy.com (ceramics and pottery).
Right now through July 15, Aziza is offering a FREE pair of sterling silver earrings with any order of $30 or more from her shop, azizajewelry.etsy.com!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Thank you for this awesome feature article Mallory!