Indie Designer Interviews: Sharma Designs

| Posted Apr 24th 2008 10:26PM by Mallory Whitfield
Filed under: Jewelry, Interviews, Under the Radar

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with jewelry designer Sharla Oliveri of Sharma Designs. She creates bold, one-of-a-kind pieces for the modern woman at totally affordable prices. Sharla also co-authors a fabulous shopping blog which showcases other independent artists at Rare Bird Finds.


Tell us a little about yourself and your company. I am a busy mom of two and am a self-diagnosed bead addict. I have been making and selling jewelry for about 7 years. I actually closed my website last year because I had baby #2 on the way and wasn't sure I could give as much time as necessary to my business.

A year later I decided I missed making jewelry too much and opened an Etsy store. My jewelry is mostly one of a kind with a few limited editions. My style tends to be earthy, bohemian and a little bit retro. I love big bold pendants and unusual beads and mostly work with wood and Czech glass beads.

How did you get started as a designer? Many summers ago I was a poor college student who loved to make jewelry for myself. I always got compliments on my jewelry so my friends kept telling me to offer to sell it to people when they stopped me. One day in a salon, a girl was going on about how much she loved my necklace. I took a deep breath and said "I'll sell it to you if you'd like"...and Sharma Designs was born.

What inspires your work? I am very inspired by nature. Whenever I need new color combinations I just take a hike and keep an eye out. I tend to make a lot of very earthy jewelry.

Unusual beads and pendants also inspire me. I love to find components that I have never seen in other jewelry shops. My jewelry is one of a kind because I think that every woman should have a piece of jewelry that no one else in the world has.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I'm a mom of 2 small children so my must have is a good pair of jeans. It's not practical to wear much else when you are running around with kids all day but I refuse to wear "mom jeans". A good hair cut is also really important to me. I need to look good with minimal effort.

The other obvious answer: my own jewelry!

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Know what you are getting into. TV shows will have you believe that you just pop up a website and the sales start rolling in. Not so. It's a lot of work to run an indie business. Make sure that you are doing something you love because it will take over your life (in a good way!)

Also, never underestimate the power of word of mouth. Give your wares to friends, co-workers and family as presents or just because. Arm them with some business cards. I have had a ton of customers over the years that are friends of friends of friends.

Where can people find your work? I sell mainly on Etsy at sharmadesigns.etsy.com and I also sell at Hella Good.

Anything else? Come by and check out my blog: www.sharmadesigns.typepad.com. I have an article on wearing jewelry that flatters your face and body that's super helpful.

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