Louie's Hardware Giveaway(Copper Coin/Blue pearl Earrings)

[gnuin8fan]

Another great Giveaway!

Kerri designs and creates all the pieces at Louie's

she has offered one of my awesome readers to have one of her creations!

Stop by and visit her shop, she has lovely items.

 GIVEAWAY

Great for everyday; these earrings are simple and modern. The copper coin has been hand textured and given a dark bronze patina. The copper is sealed to prevent color change. Hanging in front is a lovely blue freshwater pearl. The ear wires are also handmade from sterling silver.
Approx 1.25" top to bottom.
Value 20.00

Louie's Hardware

Tell us about you and Louie's Hardware's . What do you create? 
I am Kerri Mackey and I create jewelry thru Louie's Hardware.  My jewelry is pretty earthy/neutral feeling with pops of color which is how I like to dress.  I took a metal working class recently so several of my pieces include some sort of manipulated metal.  I love working with copper especially because the color is so versitile.  There's a dozen different patinas to make the color and texture look different.  As far as Louie's Hardware goes; you can thank my husband for the name.  When we first started dating; he used to tell me "that's good  think'n BabaLouie".  It was from an old cartoon.  So BabaLouie was a nickname that stuck.  I wanted to use a piece of it because it reminds me of my husband and he's been so supportive of whatever I do; including Louie's Hardware.  
How long have you been doing this? How did you get started?
 It's only been about 4 months since I've started Louie's Hardware.  I've been creating much longer than that though.  I always had a hobby of some sort that revolved around creating - painting, photography, sewing - although I never really got very good at sewing (my mom is much much better).  I love jewelry; I'm the type that wears a different piece every day.  So after going to a couple jewelry parties where you put the pieces together yourself; I thought - this is pretty fun and I can make custom pieces for myself.  Then that lead to possibly selling and Etsy seemed like a good place to start.  I had bought from Etsy before and I loved the idea of selling in a platform that catered to handmade.
Do you do this fulltime? If not, what else do you do for a living?
I do not do this fulltime although I would love to someday.  My full time job is as a designer for an interior architectural firm.  I am working thru the tests to become an architect (3 more to go).  My job requires me to be very creative, but I love the freedom of Louie's Hardware.  While I really enjoy creating for my job, there are always obsticals and budgets and client needs that have to be considered.  With Louie's Hardware, I can make pieces that I would wear and love and I hope someone else loves them too!
Who are your inspirations or influences?
There are definately color influences that come from my day job into my jewelry.  I see the most current colors in fabric, carpets, paints, etc and they move into the pieces that I'm making.
What is your favorite creation from your shop? Why? 
My favorite piece is called "Copper rose earrings on green patina coin".  I love those earrings because of how I see the roses start as these little copper disks that end up turning into a lovely petite little open rose.  I just think they're so pretty.  Plus I love the natural patina of copper.  The almost seafoam green is gorgeous.
Do you have any advice for other indie artists
My advice would be to make pieces that you love.  If it's jewelry; make something you would wear.  If it's painting; make pieces that you would hang in your house.  I keep thinking that if Louie's Hardware doesn't take off at least I have a ton of awesome pieces of jewelry to wear! 
Where else can we find you and Louies Hardware?
If you're local to Columbus; you can find my pieces at Open Door Art Studio in Grandview.  They have wonderful art programs for adults with disabilities as well as supporting the local handmade artists like me.

Please enter giveaway here at Boutique Stitches