What you’re about to embark on is a read of an interview I did with Anna-Karin, a Swedish jewelry maker. You shooould recall that I recently reviewed a few pieces of her jewelry. And I BET you recall that there will be a very generous gift card giveaway for her shop! But that’s coming up a little bit later. For now I want you to focus on what she had to say, because this cheerful artist is as entertaining as she is talented.I would like to move to Sweden and have her mentor me in jewelry-making and the general business of “life”.

Silver Fern - lightweight sterling silver earrings

What is the significance behind your Etsy shop name “Black Daisy Designs“? Can you provide us with some insight into why you selected that particular moniker?

Aaahhh…. yes….see, now I would love to be able to say that “Yes, there is quite a story behind the name Black Daisy Designs”. I would love to be able to say that many, many years ago when I was young and traveling around the world, exploring the possibilities of my future I found a book while sauntering through a French market, with this mysterious black daisy on the front…

But I can’t. I just thought of the name one dreary Tuesday morning in March 2009, driving to work. I liked it, so I used it. *Cough* But I DO remember the exact spot where I thought of it.

You live in Karlskrona, Sweden. That’s pretty exotic to me! What are some characteristics about your town that can help paint a picture of that place for us?

Karlskrona (meaning Karl’s Crown in honour of the king) was founded in 1680 by King Karl XI, on the island of Trossö. In 1680 Sweden was the dominant military power in the Baltic Sea region. The island had a very strategic position with short sailing distances to the German and Baltic provinces and being located in the south, the harbour was ice free all winter. (Well… I guess THIS winter proved King Karl XI wrong.)

The island Trossö was owned by a farmer called Vittus Andersson and when he was first approached by the King and asked about selling the island, he was not interested in complying. But King Karl XI wasn’t a King to be stopped by a farmer and Mr Andersson was soon forced to sell the island to the King anyway. Mr Andersson got the last word though and cursed the city as he was forced off the island.

“The city of Karl shall burn, be pestered by diseases and sink into the ocean”.

It has burnt, but has been rebuilt. Oh, and the rumour has it that Vittus Andersson wasn’t a farmer at all…. but a pirate. Arrr….

Today Karlskrona is the last remaining naval base for the Swedish Royal Navy and the naval installations in Karlskrona has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Me and my husband (who, by the way is an officer in the Swedish Royal Navy) our daughter, two cats, two birds and uncountable dust bunnies live just outside Karlskrona in a quiet little village called Nättraby. Our house is a big 1960′s-built home with a view over the little creek where the steam boat into Karlskrona runs. We often take the boat into town when we don’t have anything special to do. It’s quiet, it’s rural… and that is fortunate… because then I can bang away at my work desk without having to worry about neighbours being disturbed.

Riveted stacking ring with Rock Crystal

You were making jewelry for several years before you picked up the art of silversmithing. Is that a dangerous task – do you ever get burned? (Yipes!) How long does it typically take to create a silversmithed piece of jewelry?

Do I ever get burned?? HA! Do I ever! I’m going to give you a little tip – when you’ve heated a piece of silver with a torch do not, and I repeat this because it’s important, do NOT pick up the piece with your fingers before you’ve quenched it. Really – don’t do it. You’ll get burned. How I know? Ooh… umm… I’ve heard about people doing it. *Cough*

The time question is really, really hard. It can literally take anything from 15 min to several hours. Not including the “thinking time”. I often go round and think of a design for quite some time before I start with it. And, often will I make a few sketches – nothing fancy – but just a little something to give myself a “visual idea” of what the finished piece will look like.

Drip Drops, sterling silver earrings

As a mother with a little daughter, have you ever designed something unique just for her? What does she think of your art?

Yes, I have. But my 6yr old daughter is a Girly-Girl and I don’t think she thinks silver is pink/purple/sparkly enough. And besides, GOLD is the flavour of my little diva. But she’s very supportive – as is my husband – of my art, and she is very quick to compliment me for any new design I’m working on. Actually, she has her own work place where she makes her own jewellery and she is already proving amazing sales ability.

She makes me buy her hand made earrings for 10 Sek (= $1.30) a pair. And it’s not like a have an option not too. Oh noooo….

“Mommy, you’re going to buy these for 10 Sek.”
“Oh but hunny, I don’t have ANY cash on me at all right now, I only have my plastic card.”
“That’s all right, I take cards.”

True story.

Concave Dandelion earrings

If you had to pick only one favorite piece from your shop, what would it be?

It would be a piece that I couldn’t separate from so it never even got listed – the Caribbean Shores necklace. It’s quite simple in design but with a gorgeous big, blue Chrysocalla cabochon that makes me think of tropical waters every time I see it.

(Oh and I’m very partial to the Curled Hoops earrings. And the ring, Frozen. And the Linear earrings. And the… oh yes…. ONE favourite piece… )

Now that we know what you love most, what about other’s? What Black Daisy Design pieces are most popular?

Curled Hoops

I’m not sure which one it is exactly, but I think it’s a pretty even score between the Curled Hoops (small and XL), Linear earrings and the Copper Dandelion earrings.

I know you wear many of your own designs, do you have other favorite jewelry designers that you also wear, or Etsy shops you are a great admirer of?

Etsy is so jam packed with talent it’s impossible not to have other favourites, but as I’m trying to build a business I’ve made a decision only to wear my own pieces. (You know – should I get ambushed by someone in the grocery store just looooving the ring I’m wearing. Then I can say “I made it” and hand her my card.:)

But that doesn’t stop me from having favourites that I like to check in on from time to time. The problem with looking at other jewellery sellers too closely though, is that your Muse might pick up on their designs and when you least know it, you’re standing there with a piece that looks eerily like another seller’s piece. So, I actually try not to look too much on other jewellery sellers and I think my Muse agrees with me it’s a good idea. (My Muse is VERY strong headed and I think she likes to be …”unaffected” by others… hehehe.)

But there are still some stores I do love – because the jewellery is beautiful and the owner equally so.

• Gemheaven www.gemheaven.etsy.com absolutely amazing silver smithed jewellery made by wonderful Jo
• JoJoBell, www.jojobell.etsy.com stunning, beautiful wire wrapped jewellery from multi talented Joanne
• Catiesblue, www.catiesblue.etsy.com fantastic colour combos with gemstones and lampwork beads by beautiful Brandi
• Eclettica, www.eclettica.etsy.com Sheela – wire wrapper extraordinaire!!! Really, she is.
• Made for an Angel, www.madeforanangel.etsy.com gorgeous silver smithed jewellery by sweet Louise

There are – of course – so many more. But I can’t mention them all. The list is never-ending. (But you all know who you are.