Designer Interviews

Interview: Sharla Oliveri of Sharma Designs and Rare Bird Finds

Sharla Oliveri of Sharma Designs

http://www.sharmadesigns.com

Sharla also co-runs Rare Bird Finds.  She tends to post lots of jewelry, baby stuff, t-shirts and accessories.  She's also a sucker for anything handmade or retro.

What do you make or design?

I design one of a kind handmade jewelry.

What made you decide to design the things that you do?

I started making jewelry for myself because I like things that are a little different.  I could never find exactly what I wanted in the stores.  Whenever I wore one of my creations people would stop me in the store, or bank, or wherever and ask where I got it.  When I told them I made it they said I should sell my jewelry.  So I took their advice!

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by any woman who sucessfully runs her own business and her family at the same time. 

How would you describe yourself?

I'm pretty shy until you get to know me (then I'll talk your ear off).  I lean towards the serious side.  When I do laugh I have this really dorky belly laugh that my husband loves to make fun of.  I'm a mom.  I am a workaholic and I love to have my hand in lots of different projects because I also get bored very easily.   I'm a rebel. I'm sarcastic.  I'm funny (especially to myself).  I'm a self proclaimed nerd who loves excel and makes a spreadsheet for everything.  I have a very addictive personality (which translates to way too many beads)

What’s the last book you read?

Well I usually "listen" to books these days because I can multitask.  The last book I heard was an Iris Johanson book.  The last book I read was JPod by Douglas Coupland.

Are you a neat freak or creatively messy?

Both.  I need things to be very neat when I sit down to design my jewelry but once the juices are flowing things tend to get very messy.

What is one of your fondest memories?

The night my daughter was born....hands down

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Fake people 

If you could be a bird, what kind of bird would you be and why?

I would be a quail.  I like the cool plume on their head and the way they can run really fast (I'm a slowpoke).

 

Interview: Mei-Lynn Destouche of HELLA GOOD LLC and Rare Bird Finds

Mei-Lynn Destouche of

HELLA GOOD LLC

http://www.hellagoodproducts.com

Mei-Lynn also co-runs Rare Bird Finds.

What do you make?

I make bath products!  It's very relaxing.

What made you decide to make the things that you do?

I have a love affair with baths.  I think it's because I was deprived of them as a kid - I grew up with showers..  I always loved the thought of steeping in a hot, fragrant bath.  I started experimenting and teaching myself the basics on making bath and body products from scratch.  Then I took off from there creating bath and body products that made me swoon with delight.

Who inspires you?

Anyone who is passionate about what s/he does.  I love to see people with creative fire. 

How would you describe yourself?

I'm shy but a little goofy.  I think sometimes I teeter-totter on being dorky.  I have a healthy sense of humor.  I sometimes can be snarky.  I'm whimsical and sometimes I drift off into la la land.  Because my family is so small (I can count them on one hand), as an only child, I make friends for life.  My friends become my family.

What’s the last book you read?

I'm currently reading Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex.  I just finished reading a biography called The Six Wives of Henry VIII.

Are you a neat freak or creatively messy?

Ugh, unfortunately I'm messy.  Geniuses make messes, or so I like to console myself by believing.

What is one of your fondest memories?

My grandmother singing a French song to me, and then the two of us singing it together.  It was a simple song - a song from her childhood.  This was one of the last memories I have of her before her Alzheimers caused her to forget who I was. 

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Copy cats and plagiarists.  Hands down.  I hate when people can't think for themselves or are too lazy to dig deep within themselves and channel their own creativity.

If you could be a bird, what kind of bird would you be and why?

A hummingbird.  So small and pretty - I love how their wings flap, flap, flap.  The first time I saw a live hummingbird was 5 years ago when I first moved to California.  I instantly fell in love.