Featured Seller: Mélanie Favreau

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Mélanie Favreau and I live in the great city of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. I live with my sweet boyfriend of 18 years and our 5 1/2 cats (our last one is so tiny!) in a big apartment in the east part of town. I studied jewelry making at the Montreal Jewelry School for three years and I graduated in May, 2001. I worked for other jewelers for about five years before opening my Etsy shop on my 30th birthday, almost four years ago. I sold my first piece a week later and the rest is history!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I laugh a lot. I cry sometimes. I love to eat the great meals that my lovely man is cooking for me (because I can hardly cook myself an egg! I know, it’s sad). I watch WAY too much TV. I listen to a lot of my favorite local radio programs and I love to sing and listen to very loud music. I like to spend my Saturday mornings reading the newspaper. I buy too many bottles of nail polish. I pass way too much time browsing on Etsy. I love to cuddle on my sofa with my boyfriend and a nice cup of tea and do absolutely nothing.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I don’t really know how I get my ideas, they just kind of “pop” in my head, especially when I am not at my work bench. The material that I use, sterling silver, has always been the fuel for my inspiration.

What does handmade mean to you?
This is a very cheesy answer, but I think handmade means made with love —  love for a friend, a family member, a coworker or even a total stranger! I love my work and I try to show it in every piece of jewelry that I make. If one day I don’t have as much fun doing what I’m doing right now, I’ll just stop and do something else.

Who has been most influential in your craft?
My family. Without their love and support, I don’t think I would be a jeweler today. They never told me what I should do or not do with my life but they were always there to help me follow the right path. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

When did you know you were an artist/maker?
When I was able to do things on my own, make my first collection and sell it. When I finally got all the skills that I needed to create anything I could possibly think of, that’s when I knew I was an artist.

How would you describe your creative process?
My creative process is pretty simple. When I have a great idea, I have to immediately act on it! Not later today, not tomorrow, not next week. Now! I work as fast as I can just to “get it out” of me. I love clean lines and simple designs. It’s got to be simple but original, fun and always comfortable to wear.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?
My most favorite contemporary artist, Marc Séguin. He’s just awesome.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
That would be my personal collection of hand-carved birds made by my dad. Here’s an example of his work. My dad started woodcarving after an accident almost left him paralyzed. For me, he’s always been an example of strength and resilience.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
A nice brunch with my favorite chicks! There’s nothing like a good meal with friends and our favorite subject (Etsy of course!) to give me the energy I need to get back to work.

Where would you like to be in ten years?
For a person who doesn’t like to plan more then two weeks ahead, ten years is a very long period of time! Who knows what my life will be ten years from now? The only thing that I want is to be as happy as I am today.

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