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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Artist of the Week

Congratulations to Amanda of Chloe Boutique as this week's featured artist!



Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Amanda and I'm an Environmental Scientist by day, and the jewelry artisan behind Chloe Boutique by night!  I currently reside in West Monroe with my wonderful Husband and my two furbabies...Chloe the Pug (my baby!) and Ellie the Beagle.  I'm originally from northern West Virginia...the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.  I moved to Louisiana in January 2003 when I began my Graduate studies at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  I landed my current position immediately after I graduated and haven't left!
 

How did you get started making handmade items?
I started making jewelry in the spring of 2007 when I found myself annoyed because I couldn't find quality, chic accessories for outfits.  It continues to amaze me the lack of quality in basic jewelry you find in every day stores.  Not only is my jewelry carefully hand-crafted with attention to detail, I feel my prices are very reasonable considering I use real gemstones and pearls, artisan-made beads, Swarovski crystals, and quality metals.  Women like inexpensive REAL jewelry...and prefer unique over "cheaply mass-produced"!
My pieces are perfect for everyday wearing. One piece can be casual enough to be worn with your favorite pair of jeans, or dressy enough to be worn with your business attire, or even a nice evening out!


What does a typical day look like for you?
Very routine.  I get up at 5:30 am and work 4- 10 hour days Monday through Thursday.  I work on jewelry at night and on weekends or as time allows.  The jewelry side is typically busier in spring (weddings) and late summer/fall (shows and Holiday orders). 


If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
The food is phenomenal. You won't find food like Louisiana cuisine anywhere!  "I guarantee!" (as in Louisiana-Native, Justin Wilson's famous line).  And, it's HOT down here (coming from a born and raised northerner)!

What is your favorite item to make?
This is hard for me to decide on!  I love working with Brides...they are some of my favorite customers.  There is something so rewarding and fulfilling about creating jewelry for a girl's "Big Day"!  I also love creating fall-inspired pieces as it's my most favorite time of year (again, I'm born and raised northern and we have spectacular autumns back home!)


What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
This is another tough answer...probably seafood/duck gumbo!

Any other information you'd like us to know?
I love the great outdoors...my undergraduate degree is in Wildlife Ecology and my Master's Degree is in Biology/Ornithology.  I get most of my creative inspiration from nature.  I love gemstones! They're ‘handmade’ by Mother Nature! I take what Earth has provided and I add flair to it.
One day I would like to live in western North Carolina...that's my favorite place!!!

Visit Chloe Boutique at the following places:
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wildlifer78
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/chloeboutique
Local: Little Green Boutique, Monroe

Chloe Boutique even has a cool blog!! Show her some love!!


Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/chloeboutique


Chloe Boutique is giving away a $15 gift certificate good for either of her shops (etsy, artfire) or if you are local, you can use it in the Little Green Boutique in Monroe.

In order to have a chance to win this $15 gift certificate, you can visit either of her shops & comment below on what is your favorite item. You must also follow her blog!

Extra Entries include:
- Tweet about Chloe Boutique

The winner of last week's giveaway is Susanmeep! Congrats to you!! :-)

35 comments:

  1. Amanda is a beautiful person as well as a very creative artist! Her pieces are beautiful!

    Great feature!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful post on Amanda, Beautiful work by a beautiful soul :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. After I got past the cute banner, I like this piece the best . . . beautiful!!!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/66143388/topaz-fleur-de-lis-and-pearls-necklace
    Enjoyed the interview - inspiring!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like the sunset hand knotted pearl necklace.
    Thanks, karen
    lemontart5kb at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I follow Chloe's blog and my favorite item is the Green Oak Leaf on Leather Cord Necklace!

    maryleebythesea(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow Handmade Louisiana on GFC!

    maryleebythesea(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow her blog and I love the Sunset Hand-Knotted Pearl Necklace with Bronze Filigree Pendant - Louisiana - EANGTEAM

    HarajukuGirl92@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow Handmade in LA

    HarajukuGirl92@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great feature on Amanda! Her jewelry is beautiful and so is she inside and out!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm a new follower of her blog and my absolute favorite is her Blue Rhinestone Fleur de Lis Earrings - Louisiana - EANGTEAM! Gorgeous!!!
    kristi.blackstone@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a new follower of your blog!
    kristi.blackstone@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I now like Chloe's boutique on Facebook!
    kristi.blackstone@yahoo.com

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  13. i'm following her blog & I love the "capri-blue-and-gold-fleur-de-lis" earings from her Etsy!

    getoverit2090@hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the green oak leaf necklace! I'm a woodsy kinda gal.
    -Basia :)

    bozthefreak@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fantastic post on Amanda! Her jewelry is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. following Chloe's blog on gfc as jhb.
    I love the Victorian Pluma earrings; I love earrings of this delicate dangly style.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. following handmade la blog on gfc as jhb.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. i follow chloes blog and myt fav are the black rhinestone fleur de lis earrings! jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. i follow handmade la via gfc jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the fiery affair necklace! Gorgeous!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My favorite item is definitely the Wild Zebra Necklace

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  22. I am a follower! I just signed up! I really like this....Blue Rhinestone Fleur de Lis Earrings-Just awesome!

    Shannon
    rsp2001@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. i love teh Simple Posies Dangle Earrings - Freshwater Pearl, Czech Glass, Copper - EANGTEAM - BHV - LArtisans Team

    hockiemack at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. google friend

    hockiemack at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, my favorite item is the Victorian Pluma Earrings - Purple Czech Glass Flowers - Bronze. I follow the Chloe Boutique blog. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow Handmade LA via Google Friend Connect.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like Chloe Boutique on Facebook (FB name: Maddie Brubaker).
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ive been a fan of Amanda's for some time now!! :) I have several of her pieces and they are beautiful!! ~ Great post and artisan!! :)
    ~~amy, aka, da boss.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yellow Maple Leaf on Leather Cord Necklace - Fall Autumn - EANGTEAM - BHV - Louisiana

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sunset Hand-Knotted Pearl Necklace with Bronze Filigree Pendant - Louisiana - EANGTEAM

    this is my favorite

    ReplyDelete
  31. follow u on facebook as debbie jackson

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is my favorite piece from her etsy shop:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/9285109/pretty-pearls-for-everyday-the-bracelet
    jacy468 at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow handmade LA
    jacy468 at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete

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