Subtle Glances $128
I can't exactly remember the first time I crossed paths with Ngan of
eNVe Designs, but I am sure glad I did. She is an amazing artist and a true inspiration. Creating jewelry has always been a hobby of hers and most importantly, a therapeutic outlet for her during a time in her life when she needed it most. Her simple philosophy of creating quality pieces that are unique, captivating and truly versatile has grown into the amazing collection she has today. Ngan has also created a personal campaign for herself called "From Blue to Beautiful" where she will be donating 10% of all her profits to a selected charity each year.
The work you see below is just a sampling of pieces from her
Etsy shop, but you can view the full eNVe collection on her website,
envedesigns.com. Read on to learn more about Ngan's inspirations, her dreams of flight and
enter to win a pair of her earrings!
Earrings for Charity - Copper and Amazonite $14
Before I jump into the guts of this interview, I want to mention Ngan's
Earrings for Charity collection. In support of her husband's fund raising efforts for the Run for Research team to support the
American Liver Foundation, Ngan has created a line of darling (and amazingly priced!) earrings where she will be donating 100% of the sales to the cause.
One in every 10 americans has been or will be affected by liver, biliary or gallbladder disease and it is the ninth leading disease related cause of death in the United States. They still have a long way to go and every little bit helps! You can read more about their efforts
here and check out all the
earrings here.
Earrings for Charity - Barely There Leaves $27
Where are you from - originally and currently live?
I was originally born in Vietnam and came to the US with my family when I was 6. I grew up in Kansas most of my life and have only recently moved to Boston (2006) to complete the last phase of my doctorate degree. And I am loving Boston!
How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since May 2008, so about 10 months now. I can’t believe it’ll be my 1 year Etsyversary soon!
Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I guess my day (and night) job is being full-time mom to a 16-month-old energetic little boy. And in May, we’ll be adding a newborn into the mix! Sometimes I wish I could focus on my jewelry and Etsy full time because there’s so much I want to create and get out there, but at the moment, it’s more of a luxury for me.
Five Favorite Etsy Shops
WAY too difficult.. make that impossible.. to narrow down to 5. Etsy is overflowing with talent and I heart too many shops to count. But if I had disposable income at my…um…disposal right now, I would literally buy out the following shops:
I’m just drooling over a wardrobe that I can’t fit into right now!
Rozart - I would love a few original “jump” paintings.
And don’t even get me started on all the incredible jewelry artists I’ve found around Etsy!
Black Black Heart $21
What inspires you?Just about anything is a possible inspiration source for me. I usually don’t actively search for inspiration in anything in particular… but I leave the back door of my brain open for ideas to filter in at all times. A lot of what I’m inspired by is also borne of necessity. Coming from very humble beginnings, I’m a big fan of making a little go a long way. I suppose that’s the core of why I try to incorporate that into my jewelry designs whenever possible.
Where is the coolest place you have ever been?I’d have to say Vietnam—when I visited for the first time since we left during my childhood. I was about 19 at the time and it was such an eye-opener for me in so many ways. A close second to that was at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia (2005) when I met my husband. I guess for me, it’s not so much the place that makes it cool, but the entire experience of it all (because let’s face it, Philly is not THE coolest place in the world).
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you?Though I have no memory of this, I think nearly getting switched at birth would be one of the strangest things that’s happened to me. After I was born, a nurse took me away to get cleaned up and mistakenly brought another baby back to my mom. My mom freaked out and said “that’s not my baby!” They scrambled to figure out where I was and found me lying next to the bathing sink. I’m not sure who among the hospital staff dropped the ball on that one, but it’s a good thing they’re more careful here in the US.
Pretty Peas $51.50
If you won $20 million, what would you do with the money?
This one’s easy. I’d pay off mine and my family’s debts, invest/save a large portion so we’d be all set for the long run, give some to charity, buy a nice home, take my entire family on a dream vacation… then I’d go crazy on jewelry supplies and go on an etsy shopping spree!!!
If you could be a superhero, what would your powers be?
Definitely the ability to fly! And the ability to stop and start time (and I’m not talking stop watch, but actually freezing time and space)… Oh, and the ability to be in multiple places simultaneously would be nice. That way, I can fight crime and make jewelry all at the same time.
What do you have planned for eNVe in the future?
Well, in the immediate future, I’m working on new pieces for my Spring-Summer line. I’m also putting together some pieces for a boutique in New York. Hopefully, that will be the start of my endeavors to branch out of just selling online. I’m also exploring new techniques and design ideas with PMC (precious metal clay) and hope to add those pieces to my spring and summer collections. Forward is my only direction so beyond the immediate future, hopefully you’ll see a more prominent presence of eNVe Designs!
You can keep up with all that forward progress and new adventures for Ngan and her beautiful jewelry by visiting her blog here. You will also find occasional specials, great style features and more.
You can sign up for her mailing list as well to receive additional updates and special sales - just email subscribe@envedesigns.com.
Touch of Midnight $24
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Ngan is offering one lucky winner their choice of any pair of earrings from her shop.
Here's how to enter:Leave a comment on this post with your favorite
eNVe design and some suggestions on what you would like to see more of in
Ngan's shop. You can enter once per day and you
must include your first name -and- etsy username or email address with each entry or it will not be included.For additional entries, you can do the following and post in the comments to let me know:
(2 extra) Twitter this Giveaway
(3 extra) Follow my blog (if you already follow, just let me know)
(3 extra) Follow the eNVe Designs blog
(3 extra) Subscribe to the eNVe Designs mailing list
You have until 9 am (est) on Friday, March 27 to enter and I will announce the winner that afternoon. Good luck!
Ngan is also offering an amazing discount on top of her current clearance sale! Mention this feature at checkout an receive an additional 15% off your order when purchasing two or more items (valid through March 31). With most of her designs already at 50% off - you can't beat that. Don't forget Mother's Day is right around the corner! Get mom a special gift and keep the other for yourself :)
Posts
