Magnificent Obsession by Theresa J.

Theresa lives in the San Francisco Bay area. Her Etsy shop is Magnificent Obsession and also has a blog Magnificent Obsession where she writes about her life, what she's doing and new items coming up. A must read!!

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

Ugh -- starting off with a question there is no simple answer to... :) The name I started off with before I had an Etsy shop is Magnificent Obsession, as that is the way I feel when it comes to making/designing jewelry. I get completely obsessed. When I think of purchasing new tools or supplies, I feel giddy. When I think of taking them home and working with them, it's like the night before Christmas morning when I was a child. I'm filled with excitement and anticipation -- still. However, even though my banner has Magnificent Obsession, my Etsy URL is http://www.theresaj.etsy.com/. So, I changed my banner to read Magnificent Obsession by TheresaJ. These dueling names present a problem as I started out, off line, as Magnificent Obsession, but everything online is under TheresaJ, which I now actually like better. It's simpler and much more identifiable for those who know me. I've been in such a quandry about this name thing! -- can't you tell?

#2. When did you start crafting?

I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My Mom and her sisters sewed, as did my grandmother, my Mom dabbled in arts and crafts a bit, and my grandfather was extremely creative and gifted, many mediums. Additionally, I grew up in a very bohemian neighborhood in San Francisco in the 60's and 70's -- lots of young families mixed in with lots of artists and craftspeople whose doors were always open to the kids in the neighborhood to come in, learn, and get involved. It was a great neighborhood and I feel fortunate to have grown up in such a creative and supportive environment. When I was about 6 or 7, I used to collect the colorful telephone wires after the telephone pole/line workers installed or uninstalled phone service and make rings with them, which I would then sell in front of my house for 10 to 25 cents. By the time I was 11 or so, I was making beaded earrings and selling them at my parent's weekend flea market booth. As an adult, I have been creating and selling steadily now for 20 years or so, but got serious about jewelry maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Prior to that, I dabbled in lots of mediums. Lately, I've been dabbling a little again though -- needle felting and pressed flowers.

#3. What or who inspires you?
As for what -- the supplies themselves. When I go to the big bead shows or gem & jewelry shows for supply shopping, or even bead shops, my imagination goes into overdrive. I also feel inspired by nature. I often have tons of greens in my shop, or maybe blues, as I have this continuing vision in my head of hiking through a dense, green redwood forest, with all the rich greens and browns, and then coming into a clearing leading to a stream, pond, and the sky. Or, when working with blues, I also often have the ocean in mind.

As for who, I feel inspired by all of my creative friends I've known over the years, who I do shows with, and by all the other wonderful artists and crafters I've met or have yet to meet on Etsy. I think we all inspire each other and keep each other going.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Usually, but not currently. I have worked as a medical transcriptionist for many years and have managed the transcription department for a large group of spine surgeons, but I am currently unemployed. Seems many transcription jobs are now being outsourced overseas. So, I've been off for a few months, trying to figure out my next step. I'd love to be able to make a living more creatively, but I guess I couldn't have picked a worse time, with our current economic crisis, to try and gauge if that is even an option at this point.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

Tough question. As I really don't do mass production of any items and all items are different, even if only in very small ways, each one is an enjoyable journey. I could tell you which ones I struggled with, hated, and will never do again, but I'll keep it positive. :) I actually have lots of favorites, some of which are long gone, but strangely enough, keep very few items for myself.

Audrey's Accolades:
WOW!! Theresa's jewelry is amazing!! How do I pick a favorite? Okay - red, green and yellw are my favorite colors, so that helped narrow it down, a bit. Theresa has a wonderful selection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces in her shop. I dare anyone to pick just one favorite. But I managed. There is this awesome pair of earrings that has caught my eye, so I think those will be the favorite.

12 mm hammered sterling silver discs

with round 8 mm coins wired to hang

below dangle from a sterling silver

earwires. All metal components are

sterling silver. The earrings

dangle approximately 20 mm below

the sterling silver earwires.