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Ever since my girl Gwyneth sashayed onto the Grammy stage wearing hot pink, feathered earrings while singing her duet with fine-feathered-friend Cee-Lo Green, I have been longing for some feathered accessories of my own. However, I am extremely picky about jewelry and it took me quite a while to find a designer who created both intriguing designs and also used quality products. See, I have this little pet-peeve, I hate hate hate wearing jewelry that colors my complexion the tinge of gangrene. And while there are literally hundreds of designers creating adequate feathered pieces, I became the most excited to find Joni Marie and her shop, Avalee. Joni’s products are extremely dramatic and made using real 14k gold backings – or silver, or copper depending on your preference. And turns out, not only was I able to find two lovely pairs of feathered earrings but I also made a new friend.
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A Little About Avalee Jewelry:
How did you get started designing jewelry and hair accessories? My inital background and passion in art is painting. I am not sure exactly how the progression to jewelry happened, I do/have done all sorts of art, fashion design, sculpture, welding, metal work, sewing etc… so it jewelry was just a natural step in my artistic journey.
Why feathers? I make all sorts of jewelry, so the feather earrings and accessories are just one piece of the pie. But, they do allow me even more creativity than I find I get from wire, beads, stones, crystal etc… when jewelry making. Feathers are like snowflakes, and the possibilities of combinations and designs are endless!
Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces? Feathers are amazing. Each one is like its own unique work of art. I am amazed by the beauty in them. I love combining feathers from different types of birds to create the pieces and am influenced by my own paintings and the paintings of others for my color combinations.
Future plans? Not sure! Just to keep on keepin’ on. I have my designs in some boutiques and galleries and on Etsy which I will continue. I had some wonderful things happen to me this year, like getting to have my designs in the Celebrity Gifting Suites at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards! That was an amazing experience for me. I also got to do some designs for some actors and some dance and rock groups which is not something that I had ever imagined would happen! All of that aside, I had some designs up on the runway in a fashion show a few months back and my friend that attended the show with me was laughing that while it was cool to see my stuff on the runway – I was even more excited to see women in the audience wearing my things. I really loved the idea that when these ladies picked out their “best” outfits that they felt great about themselves in to wear to a fashion show – they chose to wear my stuff. There is just no bigger compliment!
A Little About Joni Marie:
What is it like living in Alaska? Alaska is amazing. I was born and raised here, and although I have lived in other places which are also amazing; there is nothing like being back home! I am inspired by it every day!
Coffee or tea? Herbal Tea, I have way too much energy to add in coffee; talk about bouncing off the walls!
Ice cream or brownies? Both, yum.
Where did you go to school/what is your education background? I actually got my degree in Oregon in Psychology. I worked in a variety of Social Work fields: a sexual assault crisis center, a homeless shelter for youth and also worked as a counselor with SED – severley emotionally disturbed youth. I loved the work, but really had a hard time not letting it affect me. I was amazed and inspired, though, by the resilliance of women and youth in the face of terrible circumstances. I needed a change and ended up moving to Paris, all on my own, knowing no one and no French. I just rented a place online, bought a ticket and went for it. I had always been drawn to the city and wanted to immerse myself in art, fashion and inspiration. I took some classes while I lived there in fashion design and art at Parsons Paris. Living in Paris was life changing for me. It has affected everything in my life. Being raised in Alaska, with a father that is an Alaskan Bush Pilot – I got to see and experience rural Alaska and the outdoors in ways no one else does. Then after living in Paris, artistically, I was able to blend my love of the outdoors and nature with a love for fashion and edgy style to create my own unique design asthetic!!
Do you have a personal motto? “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.” It reminds me that the only limitation to your success is yourself. You just have to believe.
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PS> I am very excited to announce that Joni Marie has agreed to giveaway one her of amazing hairclips – a piece especially designed for Wonderpug Graphics. Make sure to swing by later to see the contest details and to learn how to enter!
PPS> If you just can’t wait … visit Joni Marie’s Etsy shop right now and take 5% off anything and everything by simply typing ‘PUG‘ in the comments.
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