More Giveaway Winners!

Happy Friday ya'll! We are now only 2 weeks away from our second annual summer UCU and competition has gotten stiffer for these great giveaways. So without delay I present to you the names (or codenames) of the prize winners.

glam.spoon Capelet - Danielle
LaRu Necklace - Lisa B.
Emze Designs Dish - erianams
Texture Clothing Gloves - Fairy Godmother
Devout Dolls Elephant - Tsuki aka LittleGrayFox
Tender Loving Empire Tee - Gina
Down to the Wire Designs Earrings - Maya
Manticore Record - gullyer
Boodlebags Wristlet - Michaela
Wooly Bison Bag - Campfire Kam

Hearty congratulations to all of our winners! Looks like luck shined down on you today, since the sun certainly did not. Be sure to stop by the UCU booth July 10-11 to claim your prize. Didn't win this round? Don't be down-hearted. We've got lots of great giveaways we will be posting up until the show! Keep your eyes peeled and keep posting for a chance to win.
Get a jump on Round 3 of giveaways with Danger Peach's owl necklace posted below!

P.S. Sorry to all the Spambots who commented. You were disqualified due to your overall lameness.

Down to the Wire Designs Interview & Giveaway

Sometimes something so simple as a hole in a class schedule can open a world of creative possibility. That was the case for return UCU vendor Chuck of Down to the Wire Designs. Chuck took Intro to Jewelry Design from UW to fill a gap in his schedule and found he really enjoyed working with the materials and had the much needed patience to see a project through.
So Chuck, tell us...

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
DttWD: I really like meeting and interacting with the customers. That used to be my least favorite part because I was always so self-conscious and nervous about it, but over the years it has gotten easier. It's nice to get direct reactions to my work and it is always interesting to see what people are drawn to.

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
DttWD: I think I have a very refined sense of design. There are a lot of jewelers out there but my work always stands out as unique and well-made. I have been able to create an entire cohesive line of jewelry that is unique and constantly evolving without being derivative of the work of others. If you come to my booth at UCU you will see a lot of work that is unlike anything else you have seen.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
DttWD: I really like the process of working with metal-- cutting it, shaping it, connecting all the parts together. Metal is a very forgiving medium to work with-- you can fix almost any mistake. Most people look at jewelry and have no idea how someone could make it-- in that way it feels like alchemy.

Jewelry is also unique in its accessibility. I often tell people that you can learn the basic jewelry skills in a day even though they may take years to master. Most people can take a one-day workshop and can be making pieces worthy of selling within a week or two. There are not many art mediums that you can say that about.

Well, thanks for answering our questions. Chuck has also given us these lovely Cupped Sterling Silver Padlock Earrings as a Giveaway! Want to win? Leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday. The lucky reader can collect their new treasure from the UCU booth at the show in two weeks.

Down to the Wire Designs

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

DTWD- My business is named Down to the Wire Designs and I make jewelry. The name comes from my early explorations in wirework back when I did not have access to most metalsmithing tools or a proper studio. I formed my business back in the mid 90's and have been selling in Seattle area boutiques and at selected craft shows and street fairs ever since.

I work with sterling silver, brass, titanium, 14 and 18k gold, mokume gane, and semi-precious stones. My work is heavily influenced by the look and textures of tribal jewelry without directly copying those styles. I like to include movement and sound in my work wherever I can. I love working in metal and continue to find wonder in it after all these years. It will never just be a job to me.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

DTWD- I am pretty content with the powers that I have. I have a great imagination and curiosity which drives my work and keeps it fresh. I rarely get bored doing what I do.

I have also been biking avidly since high school and have often said that riding a bike is the closest I will ever come to feeling super human. There is something about the freedom of movement and acceleration on a bike that is exhilarating to me and feels like flying. It is very satisfying to get where you are going by the power of your own legs.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

DTWD- My favorite holiday memory is a tie between going to my grandmother's house for Christmas with my family one year and going out into the woods with my parents to find a tree. The holidays are about family, so any meaningful moments that you can spend with your family are memorable.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

DTWD- My key anodized aluminum key rings will all be $5 each as well as my patterned metal bookmarks. Both are great items and make easy and fun stocking-stuffers.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

DTWD- I am going to try to have some new work ready for Urban Craft Uprising. This is my first time selling at the show and I would like to use the opportunity to unveil some new work-- fun things with moving parts!