Feature Friday - whizzbangle

Today's Feature Friday Designer is Bronwen Jones from whizzbangle. I first got in touch with Bronwen via the fabulous Etsy where I purchased one of her fantastic resin bangles and soon discovered that she was the proud owner of one of my button necklaces! Small world! We have since become friends and more recently Bronwen has been helping me with resin tips.

Where to find whizzbangle

Etsy Store 

Facebook 

What is the inspiration behind your business name?
I am an editor, and I remember looking up various resin and bangle related words in the Macquarie Dictionary. ‘Whizzbang’ came up defined as “one that is conspicuously successful, or skilful”, and that sounded like something I wanted to be. And so whizzbangle was born, and I spell it with a lower case w, a la george and silverchair.

How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
I had an abdominal hernia operation in Feb 2009 and while languishing in hospital (50 staples, so it was for a week) I saw them make resin bangles on Better Homes and Gardens, so I looked up a course in Brisbane and did it in March 2009. Then I was ridiculously prolific and made some that don’t even fit me… so I thought I’d better sell some, or make friends with a thin-wristed octopus. I started my etsy store in August 2009. Kellie Christie was my first customer in September 2009 (thanks Kellie!).

Is this your full time job? If no, what is your full time job?
This is my creative outlet, my hobby. By day I work part-time as an ecologist for the state government, and write policy for a program that provides financial support for landholders to protect high value conservation areas on private land. Yep, it is as dry as it sounds, but we are ensuring that people who have protected their land have support to do so. And then I come home to my two girls, lovely husband and resin in the evenings.

 Who/ what is your inspiration behind your art/craft?
I remembered two bangles that I bought in London in 1989. Nothing outstanding, but I remember that I wore them like old slippers on my left hand for years. I am quite particular about the colours and patterns that I wear - I like what I like. So I wanted to make a few favourites that I felt were really ‘me’. Then I wanted other people to have a similar experience – a whizzbangle that they could slip on with jeans on a rainy day or dress up a LBD, one that was so comfortable, but FABULOUS!

And I guess resin is a lovely thing to work with, so that inspires me too. If you feel a plastic bangle made in a factory and then a handmade resin one, there is a real ‘life’ and warmth to the resin. And the simple act of mixing two liquids to make a solid is pretty magic too.

Which best applies to you – Indie, Eco, Art, Design, Handmade?
Handmade

How do you strive to keep your art/craft unique?
I think that the process of creating is so important to me that I am not interested in copying. I have actually been surprised at how much I need the creative element in my life to keep me on an even keel. As I have added more job titles to my life (wife, mother, artist) I find having a creative process that extends from my own thoughts and imagination that then flows to a hands-on experience and finally a finished product is really important.

Share your favourite item that you currently sell/ stock in your online store.
The coffee bean pendant is a bit of a favourite at the moment. I tried a new resin, and found that it was perfect for embedding. Coffee beans were first on the list, and when they worked that lead to “oooh, what glittery things will I try next?” and that lead to the ornaments (which I guess are my second choice).

Describe your creative process. Eg. Do you take time planning out exactly what you will make or do you experiment and see what happens?
With two young girls, one at school, and work and family and friends, I *think* about resin more than I actually *do* sometimes. But the thinking helps, and then I have bursts of really productive times. I have tried to take time to plan exactly (such as must make blue on Tuesday), but it just doesn’t work for me. I experiment and make what I feel like at the time (its Tuesday, oooh look at that RED).

 
What are your future plans/dreams for your business?
I have really enjoyed discovering other handmade people in Brisbane, and how much you have in common with people balancing families and a desire to make something unique. So I would like to join BrisStyle this year and learn a bit from people a bit further along the handmade journey. I hope whizzbangle’s product range will expand from bangles to giftware and ornaments, perhaps even bonbonniere, all involving resin in some way.

What advice would you offer other creative people who are just starting their own business?
I feel like I am still starting too: enjoy what you do, ask for help - there are plenty of people who are willing to share tips and tricks if only you’d ask, enjoy what you do (yes, important enough to be mentioned twice).

Can you recommend any favourite blogs, websites or magazines?
To be honest, I am on the computer very quickly after coming home from local markets, business cards in hand, and really enjoy tracing the path and connections, such as between BrisStylers, or a local stockist. I follow a few blogs, but etsy and facebook are my main sources.

GIVEAWAY

To win a set of girls bangles (ages 3 to 6) become a fan of whizzbangle on facebook by clicking the "like" button. Come back here and leave a comment telling me you have done so. For an extra entry visit whizzbangle on Etsy and tell me you favourite resiny-licious item. Please ensure that you have a special little girl in your life who would love these bangles as they will not fit an adult.

Giveaway is open to Australian residents and will be drawn by random.org on Friday January 28th.

Like to be featured on the Kellie Christie blog??? Email me 3 to 5 images of your work and your blog/ website/online store. Designers are chosen at the discretion of Kellie Christie and must be suitable to this blog and audience. kelliechristie@hotmail.com