Blue Glass and Metal Birds

I am on a bird steak at this point. I just can't get enough of them. The beautiful necklace is from lilacpop shop on Etsy. Janna is very talented in many different creative ways. She says "LILACPOP gifts - where art, fashion, and function come together! "

"Each piece of jewelry that I make is not only one-of-a-kind but also very thought out. I try to achieve just the right amount of balance with materials, colors, and textures to make the best possible piece of jewelry that I would also wear myself! "

I asked Janna a few questions to get to know her better.

How did you get started?

I went to art school and got my BFA in Photography from the University of Michigan and while there I took so many different kinds of art classes. I really enjoyed painting, mixed media, and especially life drawing besides photography. I've always wanted to combine different mediums. Doing things the "normal" way never works for me! I had been making jewelry for friends and family and had just taken up knitting and crocheting (self-taught) when a friend of mine told me I should try selling it all. That's when I discovered etsy. I'd been selling clothing on ebay and was pretty experienced as a seller so it was very easy to transition over to etsy and much more fun to actually sell the stuff I was creating too.

What is your favorite creative thing to do?

I think my favorite thing to do is manipulate photos. I like to cross process them, mess with the color, and make them into something else. I really like to photograph things that most people would find ugly and make it appealing again. I think there is beauty in everything- you just have to look hard enough.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been selling on etsy for a little over a year now. As far as creating I have been doing it my entire life. I can remember making things when I was little and bringing them to my mom (also an artist) and loving her reactions to them. The funny thing is my 8 year old daughter does the same thing now!

What is something most people may not know about you?

Something most people might not know about me....I had some odd jobs while I was in college. I worked in the Biostatistics Department at U of M. I was the crazy funky art student walking around all the normal people! And I worked at a state park in Michigan for many summers. That was a great job. I had so much fun and met my husband there too.