Latest & Greatest: Rags Design
Most women I know love jewelry! But with the economy affecting so many families it is tough to go to Tiffany & Company these days. Instead we are seeing women heading off to Walmar,t which has become the nation’s largest jewelry retailer for both real and costume jewellery. And in the real jewelry sub-sector, players include Kay Jewelers (Sterling Jewellers), and Tiffany and Zale. For the costume jewelry sub-sector, key players include Target and Claire’s. I love how Target collaborates with some impressive designers and offer adorable pieces at a really reasonable price.
And I am always on the hunt for cool hand-made jewelry and am so happy to have been introduced to Bridget Smisek and her company, Rags Design. She makes the types of pieces I most enjoy wearing as they are lightweight but colorful and go with just about anything! Her products were featured in the June/July issue of Latina Magazine and are quickly becoming a must-have jewelry piece. A good friend bought me a similar wrap bracelet for my birthday last year and I can wear it during the day with jeans or dress it up for a dinner date. Talk about economical! Bridget shares with us her journey of creating Rags Design and is even offering a cuff of choice for a giveaway. Just in time for the holidays!
Tell us how you got into the business of making jewelry.
After having my first son I decided not to go back to my corporate job, but still wanted to do something that fit into my new life as a mom. I have always been creative and had a love and respect for design in general. So I start making jewelry and refurbishing old furniture as a hobby. A friend of mine and myself put together a fair called “The Unique Lifestyle Fair “here in Holland, and we had 15 vendors who all made their own creations from food to furniture and many things in between. It was a great success and though I really enjoyed the furniture aspect (but way to much hard labor), the jewelry side just clicked and was very successful. People actually really liked my work! So from that point I took some classes, built my website and started doing trunk shows in Holland and in California. It was truly a outlet for creativity that blossomed into a nice business.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?I am a very visual person, so colors and textures have always been a big thing for me. Living in Europe has only broaden that aspect by all the traveling we have done and seeing different landscapes and cultures have been very inspiring. When I see something that inspires me, I look for beads that remind me of it and then design. Sometimes I sit in my office and look at beads for hours putting colors together and different shapes and then it comes. I think the main thing is that I make pieces I would wear. My jewelry is for everyday life with a little added sparkle!
As a mom and business owner what things do you find help you to handle it all.
Well as all mothers know it is a balancing act and to be truthful it does not always run smoothly, but we all try our best! I have found that the best way to be able to do both is to surround yourself with the right support and just do what works for you. I have help with my children and I have help with my business. I think one thing that has helped having a business out of my home is that my office is separate from my house and I have designed it to be my inspirational private place to work and be away to focus and run my business.
Anything you want to share with dandelion moms?
When I started Rags Design it was shortly after I lost my two grandmothers, who were both in their early 90’s. I had just moved to Holland, left my life in San Diego, my corporate job, got married and had a son. One thing my grandmothers taught me and has stuck with me was that there are so many stages of life and that it is important to enjoy everyday and go after your dreams.
I say that especially to mothers who many I am sure feel like they have had two lives already, one before children and now one with children and how it changes who you are and what you want in life. All I can say from my own experience is to find what works in your life and what makes you happy and go for it. Change is good, new paths can lead to great things and you can keep surprising yourself with how much you have to offer to life and how much it has to offer to you!
Thanks Bridget for your time. We love your philosophy about finding work you love and just going for it! To read more about Bridget and see her entire collection which includes earrings, necklaces, cuffs, wrap collections and even pieces for kids go to: www.ragsdesign.com.
References: www.euromonitor.com/jewellery-in-the-us/report
Here are some of Bridget’s pieces:
Cuff:
Wrap- around bracelett:
Melissa
Melissa Northway, M.S. is a mom, founder of dandelion moms, and a children’s book author. Her award-winning book Penelope the Purple Pirate was inspired by her little tomboy. Penelope is a modern-day Pippi Longstocking who teaches girls and boys the importance of having fun while at the same time teaching them to be kind and respectful of others and their differences. Dandelion moms was created for moms to share their stories and to inspire and be inspired! You can reach Melissa at: info@dandelionmoms.com and follow her @melissanorthway and @dandelionmoms. Check out her author web site at: www.melissanorthway.com, as she hands out loads of goodies from the treasure chest.
One Comment
Tracy Reid
I love this article about Bridget as it shows how a woman with passion can truly follow her dreams and be successful! Her jewelry line is fabulous, and everytime I wear any of her pieces I get compliments and inquiries. She is a very talented woman and a great role model. Lots of love to you Bridget!