This month we are headed in blog-land to Minot, ND where Amanda from It’s Lovely Here resides! We met Amanda through our Unglued: Craft Fest back in 2013 where she was first a Fest vendor and then started to carry her beautiful vintage dinnerware jewelry at our shop. Get to know more behind the maker and fun process of breaking plates and creating art below!
Tell us a bit about yourself: Hello! I’m Amanda, aka Mandapants, aka Pants! I was Minnesota-born and Nodak-raised, and other than a short adventure in Seattle after high school, I have lived in Minot for most of my life. I have a degree in graphic design from Minot State, where I currently work as design specialist in the Publications and Design office. My art studio is located in 62 Doors Gallery and Studios in downtown Minot, where I’m surrounded by a family of inspiring friends and artists (including Meet the Maker alums Dan and Alyssa from Couple of Artists!) When I’m not basking in the glow of a computer screen or smashing plates in my studio, I spend way too much time loving on my fur-babies, Suzie and Princess, the wonder doxies.
Describe your handmade business: My obsession with collecting vintage plates (and subsequent lack of wall space for display) led to me dreaming of new ways to use them, and I’ve been making repurposed dishware jewelry for about eight years now. I will use dishes from any decade, but vintage pieces especially have really unique patterns that almost become something else entirely when I focus on just a small part of the design to use in a necklace. I also love the idea of giving new life to objects that are often overlooked or discarded when they are chipped or broken or no longer serve their purpose.
What is one of your most favorite items you have made? I love making commissioned pieces! Customers will bring me their grandmother’s china, or a dish that has special meaning to them, and they will have jewelry created for their family members or friends. My favorite custom piece so far is an engagement ring that was made with a remnant of a broken bowl that had a significant meaning to the couple. I felt honored to make such an important item!
What are your most essential tools? A Gemini ring saw (for cutting glass and ceramic), a glass grinder, and, of course, a trusty old hammer!
How do you typically source your vintage dinnerware? Most of my supplies are picked up at thrift stores and yard sales. I am a thrifting junkie! I also get dishes donated to me by customers who are happy to see their unused or broken pieces be put to use.
What other ways have you used dinnerware for art/items you’ve made? For a couple of years, I experimented with constructing jewelry/candy/catchall stands out of stacked dishes. They take up a lot of space and are much trickier to transport than jewelry, so I took a break from making them. I’ve recently begun making decorative artworks using cutout shapes from plate pieces, including state silhouettes and a variety of animals. They are super fun to make and I hope to expand my ideas even further.
What is a word that best describes you? Caffeinated!
What advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago? Don’t get too caught up in comparing yourself to others and trying to make everything perfect – just enjoy the creative learning process and be proud of whatever you accomplish!
Website/Etsy you’d want us to share: www.itslovelyhere.etsy.com
Thanks so much for sharing your work and process and some behind-the-scenes, Amanda!