(pictured above: Octal earrings by ljlh designs)

I’m excited to share our first interview since our relaunch! Ladies and gents, we have Libby Hampel, owner and designer ljlh designs where she sells unique artistic paper jewelry. My favorite? Libby’s Brolly brooch (which so happens to be her favorite, too). I love the fun and contemporary colors in the piece.

Today Libby will be sharing about herself as a creative and the story behind her shop.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’ve always been into art. My mom is also an artist, so I come by it naturally. I am an only child, so as a kid I was always trying new things to keep myself occupied. The one consistent creative track that has always been in my life is jewelry. While jewelry making has always been in my life, my BFA is Textile Design. I did take metalsmithing in college as an elective, and loved it.

(Necklaces by ljlh designs)

Tell us a little bit about your shop.
My website is a labor of love. In its current form, it has been around for about 2 years. I take the photos myself and also design the website. I’m too picky to have someone else do my site and take the pictures, so I figured I would do these things myself. I did the Etsy thing for a while, but I felt like my jewelry needed its own home. I wanted people to focus on my work, not be tempted to look at others. If you have your own site, the only jewelry they are looking at is yours.

Right now my favorite piece of jewelry is the “Brolly” brooch. For some reason it holds a special place in my heart.

(Brooches by ljlh designs)

Can you share a little bit about your creative process?
My main process is experimentation. I will sit at my art table and cut and fold paper in different ways until I come up with a design I like. I’m not the type of person who goes and finds inspiration from other places. My inspiration is different beads and findings and papers. Between that and my creative mind, thats mostly how I come up with my designs. I’ve never been the type of person to sketch out ideas. Occasionally I will. I’d much rather work through ideas in a hands on way. I think my artist statement can fully give you an idea of my process.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Someday I would love for jewelry to be my full time gig, but for right now I also have a regular job. Jewelry is something that is done on my days off and in my spare time.

(bracelets by ljlh designs)

Who and/or what has been the most influential in your craft?
It has been and is the support of my family and friends. They are positive and encouraging, which means a great deal to me.

What’s one fun factoid about yourself?
I’m an only child, grandchild, and niece. And no I’m not a spoiled brat. :)

all photos via ljlh designs