On Starting, Sustaining And Expanding A Jewelry Line: Lisa Willis
Between now and our next market, we’re touching base with a few of our former vendors. Today, we’re catching up with the owner of Small Talk, Lisa Willis.
In this interview, Lisa chats her favorite jewelry pieces, daily routines and creative process.
ABOUT LISA AND SMALL TALK
Small Talk is handmade jewelry worth talking about! With a focus on ultra lightweight statement pieces, Small Talk creates unique expressions of the imperfect. Although the patterns appear to be painted on, each piece is made entirely out of clay, using self-taught techniques to achieve distinctive patterns and color mixes. Each piece is unique, and thus cannot be replicated exactly.
Due to the handmade nature of each item, they should be handled gently. The clay is not brittle and will stand up against some bending, however please treat them like you care!
Lisa is the creator behind Small Talk. Her travels to over 50 countries and love of anything unique and colorful has fueled her passion to create beautiful, functional, wearable art. She has a keen eye for patterns and color mixes and finds it boring to repeat designs more than once! When she’s not making jewelry she can be found traveling, playing frisbee or eating fruit.
GET TO KNOW LISA:
1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
My day-to-day mantra is, “This is not hard for me/” I usually yell it at the top of my lungs when no one is around and it serves as a great reminder that nothing in my life is too difficult to figure out!
2. Small Talk Jewelry in 3 words?
Worth talking about.
3. What is your vision for your work? Life?
My ultimate vision for my work is to continue to create on my own terms without the worry of financial burdens. In life, my ultimate vision is to be a catalyst to remind people of their personal power to create change in their lives. And I hope to use my business as a means to do this in the future!
4. The thing you most wish for the world is…
Ease
5. No. 1 muse?
My boyfriend! He is a super talented designer and will go crazy on any sewing machine!
6. What’s the first thing you think of in the morning?
When I wake up, I intentionally set my thoughts on the fact that I have had enough sleep and that I have everything I need to start my day
7. What was your childhood dream job?
Cashier at Target!
8. Favorite jewelry piece that you’ve made recently?
I’ve been obsessing over hoops lately! I’ve made SO MANY different variations and there’s no end in sight!
9. You want the future of Texas to look like…
I wish the future of Texas to represent the people that reside here.
10. How would you describe your creative and production process?
My creative process is very freeing in that I determine my designs based on whatever I am feeling or thinking about while I’m working. I don’t work with a set color way or print in mind necessarily. Many of my choices are based on what materials I have available at the time, the rest is just a flow.
11. Currently listening to…
SHOULDA PULLED UP by Siimba Selessiie
12. What does a day in your life look like?
A typical day for me starts before the sun rises to do yoga with my partner! I will then work until about 4PM, with plenty of breaks for walking around the city (I live in Downtown Dallas!) and moments sitting in purposeful silence. My partner is a creative as well so it’s not unusual for us both to be focused on a myriad of projects throughout the evenings, although we try to stick to a 9:30PM bedtime!
13. Proudest personal or career milestone?
My proudest milestone so far has been my ability to sustain myself personally and professionally during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. I have maintained my joy and my optimism and for that I am super proud.
14. Something new you’re trying?
Biking! I got my first bike since I was a kid this summer and it has been the best purchase EVER. Every time I come back from a ride my head feels clear and I feel so good!
15. Something you treasure?
Quiet time
16. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours?
I would love to see small businesses taking more risks and having the confidence to have their products sold alongside or in replacement of manufactured items!
17. Best advice you’ve been given?
Don’t take advice from people you don’t want to be.
18. What are you most excited about in life right now?
I am most excited about the prospect of starting college in the fall! First time.
19. How do you want people to feel when wearing one of your pieces?
I want people to feel cool when they wear my pieces!
20. What’s one thing you learned about yourself recently?
I recently read Quiet by Susan Cain and I learned that I am actually an introvert! Game changer.
21. What's coming up next for Small Talk?
Up next for Small Talk is more dope earrings, more joy and more life!
WANT TO STAY INVOLVED WITH FUTURE FRONT TEXAS?
Attend The Front Market, and keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.