“You control your destiny, make your life what you want it to be”, Audra Dance
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Audra Dance
Company/Designer Name: Loved To Death /Audra Dance
How did you get started?
I got started when I was working in a Natural History shop in Los Angeles. I was surrounded by little animal parts everyday and was completely inspired by them. I was also super appreciative of the people that were actually taking the time to recycle and preserve these animal parts rather than just let them be discarded.
What inspires your designs? My work is heavily inspired by the Victorian era. The Victorians were always making jewelry with animal parts and bone and teeth.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?
Our design style is fancy but wearable. I like to make more couture pieces as well. But I try to keep them all wearable. Our signature is the garnet blood drop dangle off the back or each necklace. As for our target customer, I really think it is all over the board, from rock stars to school teachers. We target people with a love for the beauty of Natural History and a passion for the unique.
What designers inspire you? Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood. The usual suspects.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
There have been so many! Mainly incorporating the parts into pieces with a natural flow. Without them looking forced. I am also constantly trying to keep my work fresh. I am currently working with precious metals and that has been a slow process. I want to use gemstones and all real gold and silver.
How did you overcome them? I am overcoming them on a daily basis, constantly trying to improve the quality and maintain the integrity of the line. All the while making each design better than the last.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? Opening our own store and seeing our customers on a daily basis.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
The biggest change would have to be us making our own settings and hardware by hand. I am still in the process but have made a few pieces made with my own custom settings.
If money were no object what would you do right now? Make every single piece using precious stones and metals!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
The best thing about being a designer is being able to dream up a piece, make it, and watch somebody fall in love with it and take it home. The worst thing has been watching people knock off my work. I also have a hard time having sooo many ideas and not enough hours in the day to make them reality.
Describe your typical day?
My typical day is waking up and spending some time with my pups and husband before heading to the shop. Once at the shop I turn into a professional juggler. I am constantly making pieces in my little shop studio, while hanging out with customers and running our curiosity shop and website. Then we head home and try to squeeze in some fancy time, dinner or movie night. Sometimes I step into my home studio at night when I still have the energy. My days are jam packed!
What’s your philosophy of life? Don’t waste it being unhappy. You control your destiny, make your life what you want it to be, nobody else will! And NEVER let anyone stifle your creativity. Be bold.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Hmmmmm, that’s tough. I have no regrets thus far. I would like to have stared using precious metals more. But I think art naturally evolves and you have to crawl before you walk.
When will you know you have made it? When my pieces are on magazine covers!
