INCrowd International Interview, 8/21/08 - Fernanda Ibarrola, Dikua

So there I was, wandering through Mexico on Etsy, and I saw the most amazing rectangular resin rings! With their bright colors and dull finish, they looked like Gummi bears. I had to know more, so I asked Fernanda to tell me all about herself. Here it is: she said to me that she hoped her English would be clear enough, and I think she did fine!

Where were you born & raised?
I born and raised in Mexico City, never live out of here.

Where are you now & what led you there?
Same city and same neighborhood!!! love my area...love the city...but will also love to move to some other city in the world...always cities.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I work as jeweller and at Etsy I mainly sell my resin work, even if I work on metals and other materials too. I sell exactly the same jewellery I like to use, simple and comfortable.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I'm an architect...and you think my background is related to my work? Well...all [of my work is] simple, plain, squared, round, solid, translucent...very geometrical...yes I know, I'm an architect!!! Kind of hard to let the hand [flow] freely.

How'd you get started creating?
I create since I remember...always doing big cities and houses on drawings and assembl[ing] toys...In jewellery it started after my kid was born. I found myself unemployed and start a small jewellery business with a friend, selling and importing [un]common jewellery at the same time I was doing my best to fit [in] motherhood and [being an] architect...finally I quit architecture and start studying jewellery. I love to experiment and started with alternative materials such textile and resin...now I have 3 years studying and working as a jeweller.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
I love geometry and colors...also simplicity...could [find] it in a kid drawing, lentils bowl, the stones, flowers...or a puddle. Love to watch all next to me and imagine what would I do.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Not really, that's not common in Mexico. I do private house sells with some other designer friends.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
Love the kind of relationship you can establish with the client and seller...love to have the opportunity to meet creative people all around the world and love the opportunity to spread my work far away from my own frontiers. Love to [find] people who value design itself without considering luxury or commercial establishments.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Hard to choose just few...love many sellers!

Abigail Percy. Love her jewellery.
Yael Fran. Beautiful designs.
Kjoo. Beautiful work!!
Caracarmina. Beautiful collages
Eloise ghioni. Love simplicity.

And thanks a lot to you Carolynn for invite me!

Dikua.

Thank you! Your story and your shop are wonderful.