about: RACHAEL SUDLOW
My name is Rachael Sudlow & I’m in my mid-20’s. I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design a few years ago with a major in photography, but I took an about turn after graduation & started doing jewelry. I now make & sell handmade sterling & precious metal jewelry full time. My signature line is my Peapods. I work out of my home & run several websites to sell my work. As a side gig for fun, I teach at my local arts center. They have a fabulous studio & I really enjoy sharing metalsmithing with students. It’s something not everyone gets a chance to do & they love being able to produce wearable art. A simple ring can make someone so happy!
Where are you located?
I live in Lawrence, KS, a great little liberal artsy college town, centered in the fairly uptight midwest.
What do you do when you are not designing jewelry?
My husband & I are into house renovation & flipping. My self employed status means I’m not required to pay into any specific retirement accounts, so I dump any extra cash I get into buying, renovating & renting out houses around my college town. Once they’re paid off, they’ll provide an excellent side income (or college funds for any future kids we may have). It’s very rewarding to take apart a mess of a house & turn it into something nice.
What drove you to become an artist/ designer?
Genetics. My paternal grandfather is a well known landscape painter, as is my step grandmother & my mother is an art teacher. There’s really no escaping it. Art was always encouraged as a child & we had an excellent arts program in high school that really pushed us. Applying to art school was a no brainer. The only hard part was choosing what area to focus on!
Tell us about your unique artistic style and the creative process behind it?
I love working with stones…bright beads, faceted gemstones..all of them have a gorgeous look that can really pump up a simple piece of metal. I buy them on a whim & let them guide where my designs go. Typically my work tends to be whimsical & organic. I love fun stuff that is eye catching & I really love nature themed pieces..so that’s where my work is usually driven.
If you were not an artist/ designer, what would be the alternative career path you choose?
Definitely something hands on…maybe veterinary medicine, or something along the lines of house remodeling.
How do you promote yourself?
Constantly creating…I found keeping my store(s) fresh with new work is always an easy way to get me motivated & also to have people coming back for more. I also try to utilize flickr, twitter & facebook. I try to design eye catching business cards & reveal a new one every month or so. That way repeat customers get something new to look at & I dont get bored with them. Photography is key to every aspect of my online selling & is one thing I’m very very grateful for in my education. Excellent, bright photography will lead a customer in & convince them that a piece is exactly what they need. Online shopping is hard enough without being able to see the piece in person, so your photographs really have to do the convincing.
What’s your way(s) to balancing work and life?
Having a studio in my house is essential…I can be in my PJ’s in the mornings & jump around while I’m working to do other projects that may need home. It keeps me sane. Having my pets (a Boston Terrier & a cat) around give me needed destractions. Having a flexible schedule is so handy & allows me to get what I need done without worry. The downside of having my work be so close is that I’m always wanting to work on some little project & will often be in my studio far too much during the day, or I’ll bring a simple project to work on in front of the tv too…I cant escape it.
Could you share any insight for people just entering the profession?
No matter what artistic wares you’re peddling, bring to it an originiality that people cant find elsewhere. It will set you apart from the pack & give you a niche. Always work to improve your pieces & learn new techniques that can add to it.
Who is the person that you look up to in the professional world? Why so?
The creators of Etsy.com They took an idea & brought it to life…thus creating a job market & outlet for thousands & thousands of artists. It’s amazing to think that one simple idea & the work that went into it has provided me with so much. My life seriously would not be the same without that website.
What music are you listening lately?
Death Cab for Cutie & Dave Matthews Band are both bands I keep on regular rotation in my car. This week I also cycled in some Reverand Horton Heat
Name 3 your favorite books.
I just finished the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and I loved it SO much. The Ender’s Game series by Orson Scott Card is also a favorite & I also got sucked into the Twilight Series. I’m a sucker for young adult lit.
What do you like the smell of? Why so?
Fresh mowed grass for it’s clean & ’spring’ smell & also lilacs, my favorite flower. Both are very spring smells & so happy.
If you have online portfolio (website/awards/credits/client’s showcase), what is the URL?
http://sudlow.etsy.com
www.rachaelsudlow.com
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