An exclusive Interview with one of Oprah’s favorite jewelry designers, John Wind!

 We are so fortunate to be joined today at Joy Junket by a jewelry designer who we have admired for several years John Wind of Maximal Art. His work has been featured in Oprah (favorite things!), Country Living and InStyle! Sarah first saw his designs in the premier edition of Tracy Porter’s catalog and has been a fan ever since! What we love is the Vintage feel, the heavy weight/well made nature of each piece and the whimsy that John brings into his work!   He puts a special twist on a simple string of pearls- it feels classic yet new and unusual.  Sarah always gets compliments when donning one of his “puff ball” pearl necklaces or his unique and fabulous charm bracelets.

Here at Joy Junket we are always curious about what inspires people, what they love and how they stay true to their own style. Also- we know that when you are a creative person and doing it as your “business/career” it can be challenging to stay true to your creative heart- when designing products for others! So we asked John a few questions and he GRACIOUSLY answered…..Enjoy!

joy junket: We have are in the business of being creative as our livelihood as you are- we are curious what do you do to nurture yourself as an Artist?

john wind: I AM INSPIRED BY FINE ART, SO I’M CONSTANTLY GOING TO MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES.

I ADORE FLEA MARKETING, AND A SUNDAY MORNING STROLL THROUGH A FLEA UPLIFTS ME, RESULTS IN PAGES OF IDEAS, SKETCHES, NOTES, AND VINTAGE PIECES TO EITHER INSPIRE SOMETHING NEW OR TO CAST AND REPRODUCE FOR USE IN A NEW DESIGN.

 FASHION MAGAZINES INSPIRE ME (FAVORITE: BRITISH VOGUE), INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINES TOO (FAVORITES: WORLD OF INTERIORS AND ELLE DÉCOR)

Sarah's favorite Peal Cluster Necklace from Maximal Art

joy junket: We believe its important to stay true to your authentic self- doing what brings you joy-? Can you tell us about one of your favorite projects/creations and why it brought you such pleasure?

john wind:    THE LAUNCH OF THE JOHN WIND SIGNATURE COLLECTION (in 2004)  WAS A GREAT MOMENT. AFTER YEARS OF FOCUSING ON THE GIFT AND SEASONAL SIDE OF OUR BUSINESS, FASHION’S RETURN TO MAXIMALISM GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY EXPRESS MYSELF AND THE MORE EXTRAVAGENT AND ARTISTIC SIDE OF MY PERSONALITY. THAT IN TURN INSPIRED THE GIFT SIDE OF OUR COMPANY, GIVING MAXIMAL ART MORE STYLE AND VERVE TOO!

A Vintage Maximal Art Charm Bracelet of Sarah's

joy junket: What do you hope and dream that your work will produce- or in other words what legacy do you want to leave?

john wind: EVERYTHING WE DO IS ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE PLEASURE. MY HOPE IS THAT OUR JEWELRY WILL BE WORN, ENJOYED, SHARED, AND RESULT IN GOOD TIMES AND GOOD MEMORIES. DOWN THE ROAD, BECOMING PART OF THE GREAT TRADITION OF FASHION JEWELRY IN THE SPIRIT OF MIRIAM HASKELL WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE.

joy junket: What advice do you have to give to an artist who is starting out and hopes to be successful as an entrepreneur selling his or her creations?

john wind: FIRST OF ALL, DON’T BE AFRAID OF TAKING RISKS AND TAPPING IN TO A REALLY PERSONAL PLACE. CREATIVITY, ORIGINALITY, AND UNIQUENESS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO STAND OUT.
THEN PUT IT OUT THERE—DO LOCAL SHOWS, OFFER STORES WORK ON CONSIGNMENT, WEAR YOUR ART, GIVE IT TO FRIENDS, INVITE PEOPLE FOR STUDIO VISITS.. IT’S ALL ABOUT EXPOSURE.

Thank you John and AMEN!  Do what YOU do and it will shine because there is only one YOU! 

 Check out all of John’s wonderful pieces at his site by clicking here!   Also-  Wondering how to style yourself and how to use jewelry to create a look that is unique and fabulous???  We love SHEER ADDICTION’S website for ideas and inspiration-  we are big fans and will profile Tamara in the future.  

One word has always defined the Holidays for me.  I wish that word was serenity, calm, silence or even joyous.  But really, the word is FRANTIC!  Mainly because I have put so much pressure on myself over the years to creat the PERFECT day.  (No kidding, I actually spent three days decorating a Christmas tree one year).  I was reminded of this last night as I was showing some houseguests my messy office.  An act that would have been unimaginable in my past life. 

A few years ago I made a decision to stop treating the Holidays with such intensity that I needed to fall into my bed for the month of January.   I won’t lie, the desire to decorate the house, make cookies, find the perfect gift… it was still there, sometimes stronger than ever, and many times I gave into it. 

Many people I know live by the motto, “It’s just another day”.  What if I were to embrace this?  Did it mean that Christmas really is just another day?  No longer special?  Not worth making it a distinctive and particular 24 hours?  I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that one.  Suddenly, all the anticipation and expectation go out of the day for me. 

What if that motto was turned around a little bit?  Instead of treating Christmas like just another day, what if we were to treat every day a little like Christmas?  Wake up with the anticipation of gifts both received and given, take time to sit back and enjoy the friends and family in our life, make a special meal, surprise someone, and believe in something bigger than ourselves.

I know I can live one day at a time if I treat every day like it’s a holiday.  I can decide to be frantic for a while and then I can let some things go.   I can sit in silence, and even if my mind wonders I don’t have to react to it.  I can enjoy what I already have.  I can just BE.  How do you define your holiday?  Are you waking up with the anticipation of another exciting day?  Or with the dread of a list of things you “should” do.  What are you doing to give yourself a gift?

Okay, what Holiday story do you tell yourself?  Sarah tells herself that if she is able to purchase the perfect gift, all will be okay with family, friends or situations.  Suzi tells herself that if her dog Maddie is groomed to Miss America Status that her in-laws will think she’s a fantastic mother.  What does any of this have to do with the actual Holiday Season?  Good question!  How funny that if we’re not careful we can fall into the expectations we see in the media about what a perfect holiday means.  Not that we don’t still do some crazy things, but we’re just more aware.  So, what story are you telling YOURSELF this year??

To me, design isn’t about pondering the benefits of a three cushion sofa versus a two cushion love seat, but about how I want to live in my home, entertain my friends, and create a place to relax.  Do I need lots of surface area for magazines, my growing collection of self  help books and coffee cups?  Oh, and by the way, shouldn’t the finishes and fabrics be pretty bulletproof so I can haul my dogs up on the sofa, play with the kids not worry about scratches and stains?  Do I have room to put out the things I love?  My little collections of rocks, books, candles… all the things that bring me joy….

The soul searching part of design is the process by which we are able to define what we love.  Accept that we have likes and dislikes.  Understand that it’s okay to claim who we are and sit back and enjoy it.  There is a saying about not having anything in your home that is not USEFUL or BEAUTIFUL… What a great barometer to measure what we may want to keep and what to relinquish! 

How about doing a little soul searching yourself?  To me, it’s not just the best way to have your home reflect who you are, it’s the ONLY WAY!  What are the quirky things that you love?  What crazy collection have you made room for?  And best of all, are you sitting back and enjoying it all?

-Suzi

Suzi’s house is always changing and evolving and everytime Sarah visits there is somthing new she has dreamed up.   Lately she has been getting really creative and looks to find ideas that don’t cost a lot of money!  Last weekend Sarah was amazed by her beautiful vintage paper chains dangling from her chandelier!

This project is amazingly cheap, charming and above all EASY!  Plus-  there is an advanced crafter (read:  Martha Stewart level-  not Sarah’s level) craft otion too (see below! )  What ideas do you have that are free??

I DIDN”T go with to pick out the perfect family christmas tree, although I did fully participate in our annual fight in putting it up. I threw out some old decorations, without feeling a bit guilty, okay slight guilt but it was momentary. And did up a tree in only white and of course… peacock feathers.  A departure from my usual red and green nature inspired extravaganza. 

One tradition I took special care with was telling my four and six year old little boys the precious story of the Christmas journey, as we delicately placed the  nativity figurines (hand carried back from Bogota Colombia on the occassion of their adoption) around their individual trees in their rooms.  Children don’t really care about tradition though, as I later learned while overhearing them discuss the features and benefits of creating a force field aound the manger scene, and debating whether Syndrome from the Incredibles could beat up the baby Jesus.   Later, while listening to the Nutcracker Suite, I couldn’t help but notice the irony in the pile of battle scarred nutcracker napkin ring holders that had been forced to salute and repeat “Hail Plankton” while repeatedly being bashed about by Spongebob Squarepants characters.

There is a lesson here for me.  In years past I have unleashed my perfectionism around Chrismas like a bull in a china shop.  This year, I have treated it more like a delicate bird that gets to come out of it’s cage once and a while.  I have learned to cultivate the sacred by taking breaks, enjoying what I have, and not forcing my beliefs or traditions on anyone else.  Even those in my family.  So what if my hubby would rather flood the ice skating rink that go out for a family dinner.  He is fullfilling his primary spiritual aim at the moment.  And I have choices.   I can try to control and make perfect an imperfect family, situation or moment.  Or I can recognize the love I already have in my life, and acknowledge what has been given to me.  What are you trying to break tradition with this year?   Give yourself permission.

Right now my choice is whether or not to be concerned about the fact that the children have turned the nativity camel into an evil superhero.  Oh, and they are calling her SHE….

What if all everyone wanted to bring was dessert?  What if we ended up with 15 tater tot casseroles?  What if everyone just brought a bag of chips?  I was rushing out the door to the nearest deli when I was struck by the irony of a potluck  being a SHARED experience.  No one person’s share is more important.  I knew then we would have exactly what we needed.  I was able to stop the madness, put out the plate of frozen cookies I had prepared the week before and proceeded to await the spoils as our friends arrived. 

Ironically, we had exactly what we needed.  Enough desserts for all to share, many casseroles, a bag of chips and PLENTY OF LEFTOVERS.  Later, I looked up the definition of faith and was not surprised to see that it was the “absolute certainty in the trustworthiness of another”.   I trust that if we had ended up with a dessert buffet of 20 cakes, pies and cookies, it would have been EXACTLY what we all needed at the time!  In the same way that if 20 hotdishes were presented, it would have been that we all craved some comfort food. 

What are you craving this Holiday season?  Is it the absolute certainty that there will be enough for all?  Is it time with friends when your family is driving you crazy?  Is it a casserole of comfort food?

A gathering of friends for a potluck is faith in the absolute certainty that you will have all you need.  Right in front of you.  With all your friends and family.  Enjoy.