ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Jennifer Berube

• Tell us a little bit about your shoppe.  I create a line of hand-beaded kitchen accessories that include stainless steel scoops, wedding cake sets, and antique silver serving pieces. I call them jewelry for your kitchen or kitchen bling! I use a jewelry grade copper wire (tarnish resistant) and absolutley NO glue on any of my wire-wrapped items. I know this sets me apart from other artists I see on Etsy who use some sort of glue to keep their wire and beads in place. I love working with a color, but then using different shades and textures of that color on each piece. I feel it gives each item a lot of depth and texture. I also make sure that the beads are placed in a way that feels good in your hands. I try to make sure that my shop and booth at shows has a variety of colors and styles. And, custom orders are always available, that way the customer is getting the piece they want in the colors to match their lives.

• What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why?  That is tough, I love them all! But one that really stands out for me, is the Water Lillies Scoop! I found these amazing glass beads with swirls of blue, green, yellow and tiny flecks of purple. This one bead in the group really reminded me of the Water Lillies painting by Claude Monet. I was very lucky a few years ago to see the largest collection of his work at one show in Boston, Massachusetts. And, the work from that show has stayed with me. The other beads are mostly genstones on this scoop. It is hard to tell in the photos, but a lot of the gemstone beads have tiny flecks of crystals and so much sparkle. Each bead on this scoop has so much depth and color, it was a lot of fun to create.

• When you’re not creating these awesome wire-wrapped goodies, what are your hobbies?  When you’re not designing products for your shoppe, what are your hobbies? I guess my favorite thing to do is to travel. I have been very lucky to see some beautiful places already and each of those destinations brings new inspiration, creativity and excitement for life! When you travel everything is new and exciting, a can of Mt. Dew is way cooler in India than in America. The colors on the can are the same, the same logo is there, but seeing the words “Mt. Dew” in Hindi is what flips it. And, when I see the world through a new slightly different lens, that fosters my creativeness.

• What do you like best about The Artisan Group?  When you own your own business you usually work alone. But by being part of The Artisan Group you feel less lonely. Whether you need to rant about a disgruntled customer, share amazing news or even help a fellow artist out, the group is there to offer their love and support. Everyone works to foster a sense of community. That is my favorite part, knowing that I can get on the computer and have hundreds of people offering their support. You never see that with a regular 9-5 job. More than anything, this group has given me the self confidence to take my business higher. To be brave and call a reporter up and tell them how awesome my business is, to apply for that crazy big show, and to NEVER let an opportunity pass me by.

Jennifer participated as a display participant in the recent luxury celebrity gift lounge on February 24-25, 2012 at The W Hotel in Hollywood, California, in honor of the The 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters.