BeInspiredDesigns Interview and Giveaway!

1. Who is Be Inspired Designs?

My name is Inga Leonce. I live in “Hot-lanta” (Atlanta, Ga) with my lovely husband, three kids and dog. I graduated from Gwinnett Tech with a degree in Photography. My home is filled with up and coming artist as we are all pursuing art in some fashion.

2. What kind of crafting/art do you do? How long have you been doing it?

I am a self taught jewelry designer. I currently run two shops on Etsy. Be Inspired Designs where I sell upcycled Scrabble Tile Pendants and Ingas Gems where I sell gemstone jewelry. After taking a break from product photography in the late 90’s (showing my age) I began making gemstone jewelry as a hobby. After a friend suggested that I start selling my jewelry, I began to throw home parties and eventually opened my own website. I have been selling my wares for over seven years and I’m currently focusing my time on my scrabble tile pendant shop. My mom and I love playing scrabble and to be able to use those little tiles in a creative way has been great. I’ve added phone charms, hair bows, magnets to my shop. I’m currently working on something special for those “blank” tiles. I’m not telling yet, you’ll have to check my shop in the near future to see what it is!

3. Where do you pull your inspiration from?

I draw my inspiration from this beautiful world that we live in. I love to incorporate bright colors, nature and different cultures into my pendant designs.

4. What is your favorite medium?

For me, this question has many answers. Currently, I would say Japanese washi paper and digital painting.

5. Is Etsy/your art your full time job, or just an on the side project?

My Etsy shop is my full time job.

6. How did you find Etsy?

I found Etsy in 2007 after I became totally exhausted running my own website.

7. How did you become ADDICTED to Etsy CHAT?

Unfortunately, when I originally signed up with Etsy in 2007, I was unable to use the Etsy chat rooms or even view a Treasury. For almost a year I tried everything the techs said to do but to no avail. So for me chat was something I read about in the forums but couldn’t participate in. I felt like an outsider. I switched internet service providers and they installed Firefox onto my computer and to my amazement, chat opened up. I was so excited that I began to spend way too much time in the chat rooms! I have met some awesome people in Etsy chat, we talk about our lives, businesses, showcase each others work and shop; what more could a girl ask for!

8. What is your favorite piece that you have done?

My favorite piece is “The Lord’s Prayer” Scrabble Pendant. I haven’t sold any on Etsy as yet but I wear one and it reminds me to never lose faith and keep moving forward towards my dreams while loving people in the process.

9. What is your favorite Etsy shop (other than yours)?

Heathens Hearth is my favorite shop. I met these two beautiful young ladies in chat and there was something special about them. For the longest time I actually thought Heathens Hearth was one person with two very distinct personalities (some type of multiple personality disorder) but it pays to read a shops “profile” lol. I love their handmade bath and massage oils as I am a “spa baby”. There shop is defiantly my new “gift shop” for family and friends.

10. Tips for other Artists?

When it comes to business, we are all artist but we also have to keep in mind that we are in the “service” industry. Provide good customer service, respond quickly to convos and never talk bad about your customers. Most of all do what you love, make it your own and have fun. Enjoy the journey!

11. Tell me a secret about yourself.

Shhh, don’t tell anyone but I run a business in my PJ’s! I’ve always wanted to do that so with coffee in hand and fuzzy slippers on my feet I run Be Inspired Designs!

12. Any parting words of wisdom? Questions? Comments?

See you in chat!

Inga is offering this awesome pendant in our giveaway! To enter, all you have to do is go to BeInspiredDesign's Etsy Shop and come back here and leave a comment telling us which of her pendants is your favorite! Be sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you are the winner!

This giveaway is open internationally and will run until Thursday, February 19th at midnight EST.