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The Pot-pour-ri Interview

• Tique: what were your thoughts on being interviewed?
• Allison: i was very thrilled to share my thoughts about the things i create and enjoy doing. much of what i do in jewelry design is actually developing an idea into a physical object, so i was excited to share the importance of my design process and what i draw inspiration from.
• Tique: what about your jewelry design do you find original?
• Allison: that's a tough question. the originality of my jewelry design comes through my design process. every design begins with an idea. i may see a building, an ad, or a photograph that provokes a potential design and i sketch these ideas. i work with scale and to allow an idea to develop into a design. after deciding on the right material for a particular design, i take it to the table. as for what you can see to be original, i think my designs emphasize the importance of utilizing negative space.
• Tique: i recently came upon the Nora House designed by scandanavian architects Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter, that had me think of your jewelry designs. are there are any innovative architects whom have inspired your work?
• Allison: my design knowledge rooted in architecture. from my studies in this field, i can say that good design comes from being honest with a material and the way that material is applied to a design. as a lover of modernism, i believe simple forms give us more opportunity to appreciate a material - may it be wood, concrete, glass, or stone - and give a sense of cohesion and order to a design. my most recent design series with wood was first inspired by le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut in France, a marvel of modernity in my eyes.
• Tique: what well of inspiration do you draw from?
• Allison: i am inspired - as i said before - from the things i see day to day. whether it be a dried leaf on the ground or a facade of an old building, anything that catches my attention serves as inspiration. that is why i always carry along my sketchbook.
• Tique: if you were to come upon a perfect stranger wearing one of your creations, describle how that would make you feel.
• Allison: that would be fantastic! that thought crosses my mind each time i sell a piece of jewelry on Etsy. i don't know when that day will come, but i when it does, it will be an interesting conversation starter.
• Tique: i understand you are a pianist and perform locally in Minnepolis/St. Paul-how long have you been companion to a piano?
• Allison: for about 12 years now i have been a pianist. i began taking lessons quite late compared to most musicians, but soon after began performing, teaching and loving music to this day. i was trained in classical music and when i sit down at the end of the day, you can bet i will be playing Beethoven.
• Tique: I like the fact that you stay involved with your local music scene. are artists there supportive of one another and what about it could be improved upon as far as community/venues go?
• Allison: the network of musicians in minneapolis/st. paul is fantastic. each local artist brings something unique and wonderful to their music creating a diverse, well-rounded music scene. the musicians are very supportive of another – you see local artists at each other’s shows and many of them play together in other side projects. the musicians are dedicated, the fans are loyal, the venues are awesome - i wouldn’t change a thing!
• Tique: if life were to allow you one talent- would you follow architecture, music, or jewelry design?
• Allison: if i had to choose only one, although it would be a terribly bad idea, i would choose architecture. architectural design is not only about aesthetics but it addresses issues about the way we use and understand the places around us with a design solution. architecture directly affects people and the way they live - i find that fascinating.
• however, i strongly believe all three interests influence one another and my architectural designs would become less successful if i lose my creativity found in listening to and playing music and designing jewelry.
• Tique: as a child, were you aware of your eye/interest for things that has directed the field of study that you are in now?
• Allison: yes, i have always been interested in making things. as a child, i spent my summers crafting, beading, working on little projects, and finding remnants from my grandpa's junk pile in attempt to make "cool" useful things. i still have many of them with me in my apartment. as i grew older, i began the like the idea of making things for myself instead of searching for something that matched what i had in mind. so i began designing and making all sorts of things from scarves and picture frames to earrings and necklaces.
• Tique: other than jewelry, if we came to your residence, would we find any other creations you have made, experimental, or otherwise?
• Allison: well, i have bits and pieces of architectural projects around my apartment. architectural models made of wire, concrete, or wood can be found just about anywhere. you would also find reused fabric remnants made into various things.
• Tique: because of your love of aesthetics, i am interested to know what you surround yourself with at home. what type of layout or decor do you have?
• Allison: my younger sister is quite talented with photography, so i have several of her pictures framed and on my apartment walls. also, i collect rocks from my travels - they are lined across window sills and found in fun arrangements. in the past i have been sporting a black/white/grey motif with accents from my fabric creations and rocks.
• Tique: you have chosen wood as your main element for jewelry design. why? and will you incorporate others in the future?
• Allison: currently i am designing with wood as my main medium and i will be slowly integrating silver into future pieces. what i like about wood is that each piece is unique with grain pattern and hues. it also lightweight jewelry.
• Tique: Dubai is an insanely innovative mecca for architecture. what are your thoughts on cities being more artistic with their planning endeavors? especially in the face of the technological and creative times that we live in, would you say we should strive to fit those times visually?
• Allison: although what is happening architecturally in Dubai is quite fascinating, i do not find interest in keeping up with the impractical architectural designs. but as far as cities being artistic with their design and planning endeavors, i believe architecture is not art nor is it iconic. the purpose of architectural design is to be experienced, to be lived in and to make a positive impact on our lives. the experiences found in everyday architecture is what interests me.
• Tique: What would be your dream in the world of design?
• Allison: my dream in the world of design is to be part of the next “charles and ray eames”.