Monday Spotlight: Lunasa Designs

Meet the Mom Behind Lunasa Designs

Who is Lunasa Designs and what sets you apart from other jewelry designers?
Lunasa Designs is one crazy (you'd never know it by looking at me), torching, hammering, mad scientist, 32 year old woman (Rebekah Timlin Meddles), one extremely supportive husband (Quinton Scott Meddles) and 2 crazy little boys (Connor - 4 and Elijah - 2). An opening in the company will be filled in January 2007 when our 3rd baby is due!

I'm not sure anything sets me apart from other designers besides the fact that I'm a different person. We are all unique by just being ourselves. I'm pretty good at just being myself. I don't have much time for anything else. I tend to be unconventional when it comes to jewelry design. Or at least I like to think I'm unconventional! I love to pick up random river rocks and make them into rings or pendants. I have rocks from all over the world and when I pick one up to make a piece from it I can remember every detail of picking that rock up for the first time - Where I was, what I was thinking, who I was with, the landscape, smells and feelings around me..... I believe things that come from the earth (metal, stones, dirt) hold a lot of power and memory - I try to incorporate this thought into my designs - knowing that I want my jewelry to withstand the tests of time and be someone else's "memory holder" while also respecting the millions of years of memory it already holds.


I go with my instinct when I design - I don't try to follow trends and invariably each piece I make is "meant" for someone. I'll either have someone in mind or the exact right person will buy a piece and it just happens to fit them perfectly. I'm always extremely happy when my jewelry finds its correct owner.


Where are you located?
The middle of nowhere, Michigan - more commonly known as Weidman.


How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted something Irish (I'm of Irish descent) but not too blatantly "Irish" (I didn't want tourist shop, Irish). I went through every Irish language book I had to find some kind of abstract word that would describe me, my jewelry or my business. I finally settled on the word Lunasa - It's the Irish word for August and my favorite month (my birth month).



When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I've always had the bug to start my own business. As a little kid I set up a rental center in my bedroom and charged my younger brothers and sisters to "rent" legos and dolls for the day! I loved taking inventory and counting the money! ha ha
My parents also had a home business when I was growing up. We lived on a farm and they would send out a catalog a few times a year with all of our handcrafted goods - It helped spark that entrepreneurial bug in me as well.



How did you get started?
I first started with a jewelers saw and a sheet of copper when I was about 8. I would visit my dad in his studio all the time and I think this was his answer to keeping me out of his hair. I would walk into his studio, start asking him questions about what he was doing and he would silently hand me a saw and some copper. ha ha - I made a few nice earrings in those early years (which I still have) but mainly just broke a lot of saw blades! As an adult - when I first got the bug to start my own business, I started very slowly. I was first interested in beading and would make necklaces for friends and co-workers and send out an occasional little catalog to friends and family. Then I started taking art classes (mostly ceramic, small scale metalworking and casting) at the University of New Mexico. I had some amazing teachers. Constance DeJong, Suzanne Stern and Gina Bobrowski, just to name a few of my inspirations. I had one jewelry class but the rest of my classes I focused mostly on sculpture which is my real love (but hard to start a business around). My husband was in school full time when I got pregnant with our first son. I knew I needed to do something from home to help support us - so I went back to making jewelry - My jewelry now is hand forged, mostly sterling silver and much more organic and sculptural than my early beaded jewelry.



What motivates you to keep your business going?
I absolutely need to be creative in my daily life. Being a mother is the toughest job I've ever had (and of course the most rewarding) and "making stuff" is the way I find myself (underneath all the sticky peanut butter and jelly) and stay sane!


Do you have a new product/design you are featuring on your website?
I have some exclusive pieces that are being sold at the Naka store in Ferndale, Michigan. It's an awesome little indie boutique that showcases work from Michigan crafters/artists (www.nakastore.com). Other than that - all of my pieces are one-of-a kind. It all depends on the stones/found objects I have to work with and what mood I'm in.




How do you juggle family and work at home?
I have taught myself to be VERY flexible. I work when I can and take a deep breath whenever I get interrupted. I have to be prepared to take a break at any moment (even in the middle of torching something)! It can be difficult at times - but as long as I'm fully aware of the fact that I will get interrupted at least 20 times before I finish a project then I'm ok. If I maintain a good sense of humor, a nonstop enthusiastic approach to life (much like real juggling) and a "nothing is permanent" attitude then I'm good to handle anything.


What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
Always be aware (and prepared) for the ever changing work environment at home. There will never be any "set" work hours when you have kids. Something always comes up - be prepared for that but don't use it as an excuse not to work. If you can - have a separate room for your work (with a lock). Nothing is more frustrating than spending 10 hours on a project only to have your 2 year old rip it apart in 2 seconds flat (yes, this has happened to me).


Most importantly, develop an "evil Mommy" character! That way when the stress gets too much and you DO blow your cool your kids will think its a game, "yay! "evil mommy" is here!" and won't be traumatized for life! ha ha (uh... maybe that's just my kids who think that kind of game is fun)!

Set aside at least one day a week where you do NO work (other than housework if you really want to) - Everyone needs a break from their work even if it is something you love to do. Most importantly, don't ever forget why you want to work from home in the first place (the little loves of your life - your children, of course) take frequent breaks to spend quality time with them.


Visit Lunasa Designs at www.lunasadesigns.etsy.com and at www.lunasadesigns.blogspot.com


Stores that carry Lunasa Design jewelry:

Naka located in Ferndale, MI
www.nakastore.com

Northville Art Center located in Northville, MI