Hello OpenSky Shoppers, Meet JJ Singh! 17/08/10

JJ Singh: As an artisan jeweler I have found that the traditional paradigm for marketing my jewelry is changing quickly. Trade shows are getting smaller and have fewer attendees. Buyers for large stores rarely have the budget to try new designers in the current economic climate. This leads to stores often carrying older, more traditional, “safer” lines and gives the consumer fewer and fewer choices. Working with Open Sky gives me to opportunity to collaborate with people that feel a personal connection to my jewelry and genuinely want to share their finds with their readers. I also do a lot of semi-custom work which brick and mortar stores shy away from. The Internet is the perfect place for a personalized jewelry collection!

2.  tt: What are 3 words that describe the Latin Lover line or your jewelry in general?

JJ: “Fashion Excavates Emotion” is how I describe my style. My signature style combines modern silhouettes  with ancient aesthetics (heavily textured metal, intentional cracks or signs of wear) intended to make each piece look like to could have been made by ancient hands and excavated from the earth. Almost everything I design and fabricate originates from a personal emotional experience. The Latin Lovers collection is a good example. When I was young my father would often say to me, “Illigitimus non carborundum”. I never bothered to look it up as he suggested until a few years ago when he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. (He was 55 at the time) The diagnosis made his words quickly limited and much more precious to me. The phrase translates to “don’t let the bastards grind you down” which seemed poignant considering his struggle and also my profession. (The carborundum stone is used in the jewelry industry as an abrasive to “grind down” other materials). I wanted to carry these words with me as a reminder of my fathers wisdom and as a personal mantra. Eventually, the words found their way onto a silver strip of metal that became the first Latin Lover bracelet.

3.  tt:  I love that you have a custom option, but am curious as to how/why you picked the sayings you offer?! They are fantastic!

JJ: The phrases come from everywhere! Some of them came from friends, family, and this little thing called Google.

4.  tt:  I know you are a mom and part of your inspiration comes from that part of your heart, how do you you balance designing, creating, etc. with being a mom?

JJ: It’s a constant balancing act and truth be told, I feel off-balance a lot. The industry is very seasonal with the bulk of business being done in the months leading up to Christmas. I am fortunate to have a really supportive husband who encourages me to pursue my passion. A little one on one time with your children doing whatever they want to do – even if it is just for an hour – can put everything else in perspective.

5.  tt:  What’s in store for the JJ Singh Jewelry in 2010/2011?

JJ: I’m excited to be launching a new earring collection called “Cirque”. These designs will all be based on, no surprise here, the circle. Again, a traditional shape with a modern reinterpretation. Look for wonderful textures, gold accents, tassels, and gemstones to name a few.

THANK YOU JJ!!!! I look forward to making magic happen with you! trayce

Please stop by the yours…trulytrayce OpenSky shop and see the Latin Lover line of hand-made jewelry by JJ Singh and check back tomorrow to meet Élan McPherson, designer and owner of Flavour Design Studio.