We were lucky to catch up with Leah And Linda Bonine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Leah and Linda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Both Linda and Leah are self taught. They’ve taken a few classes at local bead shops but most of the skills were learned by trial and error. The hardest part of the business isn’t creating the art, but applying for art fairs, setting up partnerships with stores and marketing. Neither of them have business degrees and often struggle with the “boring” business part of being working artists. The art market has also changed so rapidly in the last couple of years. It used to be good enough to only have a website but these days, social media is much more important. Marketing yourself on social media could be a full time job. Leah has a career outside of the jewelry business and doesn’t have the time to really market their work as much as she would like.
Leah and Linda , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Creativity and artistic talent have been passed down through generations in Linda’s family. Her grandfather crafted exquisite wood inlaid tables, while her mother engaged in various creative pursuits, ranging from painting Christmas scenes on their front windows to baking wedding cakes. Linda earned her degree in graphic design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Her journey into jewelry making began during her recovery from a car accident when she experimented with watercolor paper and Friendly Plastic. Following the passing of her grandmother, Linda disassembled her grandmother’s wedding pearls to create meaningful pieces for each of her female cousins, which marked the evolution of her artistic expression.
Leah, Linda’s daughter, was around eight years old when Linda established her jewelry business. Growing up, Leah witnessed her mother’s dedication to jewelry making and participating in art fairs. Like Linda, Leah did not receive formal education in jewelry making. When she turned 20, she joined her mother in the craft, repurposing vintage costume jewelry and combining it with various components to create unique pieces. Both Linda and Leah share a keen interest in upcycling and repurposing materials. During the pandemic in 2020, they took this passion a step further by incorporating vintage tea tins, cookie tins, and tin trays into their work, often blending them with vintage jewelry, hand-painted clay, wood, and metal to produce mini wearable art pieces.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Art has always been a great outlet for them. They both had full time jobs outside of the jewelry business and having a hobby is a great way to relax, distract and take care of yourself. Leah understands this need very well. As a mental health therapist, she often suggests doing something creative to her clients. Having that outlet became so important during the pandemic. It helped keep both of them from feeling overwhelmed and bored. Leah made so much jewelry that they probably have enough inventory for the next five years.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
We think the most important thing is to buy handmade products and support small businesses. Go to art fairs, galleries, and boutiques. Many artists don’t have full time jobs outside of art and every purchase helps. Buying something handmade is so much more rewarding than buying things at a chain store or things that are mass produced.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dedesignsjewelry.com
- Instagram: b_dedesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15oLQnmwL9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
