Liz Anderson, the creator of Lady Daze Fine Jewelry is a self taught metalsmith & custom jewelry designer
Liz Anderson, the creator of Lady Daze Fine Jewelry is a self taught metalsmith & custom jewelry designer.
Lady Daze's designs are created solely by hand, and their brand is best known for their Lovebird collection. These intricatly carved lovebirds are truly remarkable, as each face on every bird is completely different from the next (creating a product that is bespoken ONLY to the client). This unique attention to detail has garnered the interests of a few celebrities (including Annabelle Wallis, Dita Von Teese, Leven Rambin, Mena Suvari, Alissa Janine, Ashley Beloat & Rebekah Graf (Rebekah & Ashley have even both included her work in various magazine photoshoots recently).
We are pleased to interview Liz and learn more about her story
- Liz, where do you live now and where were you born? How did you end up in Asia and why exactly there?
- I am currently living in a very small and charming town in Western Oklahoma (in the United States), and was born in Oklahoma! I ended up moving to Thailand (to teach English) directly after graduating college. I was very young (in maturity & years) and "really wanted to make a difference". So when Thailand had (one of their many) military coups, my teaching salary was cut. I didn't want to leave the country or my students, so I traded English lessons with a leather shoe maker. He taught me about how to make handbags & wire wrap jewelry & I began selling "my work to tourists" (only as a way to make enough income to stay in Asia). I had NO idea at the time that I would end up LOVING to "create art"!
- What did you do in the past, before teaching English? Are you a teacher according to your degree?
- In college, I studied Mass Communications & Public relations! I am so thankful for my education in this capacity, as it has really helped me apply my knowledge towards "marketing my brand".
- What skills close to your art do you possess? Do you draw? Are you a sculptor?
- I'm actually a horrendous painter! I can say, I have always enjoyed piecing together shapes and creating designs. And I enjoy studying ancient jewelry (tribal antiquities, art deco designs, Byzantine creations,....I can spend hours reading about "vintage Lalique jewelry", their masterpieces steal my heart everytime)!
- How did it happen that celebrities discovered your products? Is it a pure luck or is it about good adds?
-It had been years since I had created any jewelry, we were living in Portugal and I was a stay at home mother of two (I had just had my second baby) and I would sit forlorned, really missing the days when I was designing and creating jewelry. I wasn't too familiar with Instagram or the changes that had occurred in the world of "social media marketing". And I thought, SCREW THIS, I am going to give this a try! I created our Lovebird jewelry, and had only 27 followers on Instagram. I began writing private messages to celebrities, I must have sent over 200 messages without any feedback when actress Annabelle Wallis responded and selected our "Lovebird & Miss pearl earrings"! This inspired me to keep working towards my goals, and I have been so lucky that other actresses have shown interest in my brand (Leven Rambin, Mena Suvari, Alissa Janine, Dita Von Teese all have lovebirds in their jewelry boxes. Both Rebekah Graf & Ashley Beloat have even thoughtfully included my work in various Magazine photoshoots! It all makes me feel so very grateful towards these empowering women who support artistry and choose to be kinder than necessary)!
- What is your ultimate dream for your craft?
- I would love to see Lady Daze Fine Jewelry sold at high end department stores, or some boutique shops (that prioritize handcrafted jewelry)!
- What would you like to say to your students today?
- Oh, that I miss them terribly! I was so young and selfish before they crawled into my heart & I am grateful that they unknowingly inspired me to find a "creative solution" to be able to afford to stay there with them. I never would have discovered this artistic ability within myself, or "found my passion" if it wasn't for them!
- You are a strong and brave woman, but what are your three main qualities that help you move forward?
- I suppose cultural awareness is the most important (buying gemstones in India is quite different than buying gemstones in Turkey, or Portugal). You must learn to "do your research", be mindful of respect & practicing traditional graciousness. To sit patiently (when you are in a rush) and politely accept a second cup of 'slow sipped' tea from an emerald dealer in Nepal, or to give a little bow at a Thai market... these gestures make such a difference! Besides that, fearlessness of rejection, and the persistence to keep trying!
- What meta message do you convey to all women in the world through your art?
- To be aware of other cultures! As my passion is "revamping antiquities with a modern & feminine twist" I like to showcase historical artifacts that are unknown to the public. For example, did you know that most African, Middle Eastern & Asian coins issued between the 11th-17th century were originally cast in solid sterling silver! They are literally works of art, in and of themselves! Yet, when we typically think of "coin jewelry" the association goes directly to Roman & Greek coins! While those Greek/Roman goddesses should be appreciated, we forget to consider the historical artistry that took place across the rest of the world!
- Do you have a life partner, supporter and inspirer? Or are you single at the moment? Would you open a mystery for our readers?
- Yes! I am happily married! I swooped him up in an airport's immigration line in Indonesia! He is a great support, and even pretends to be interested when I go into my 'coin collection tangents'! Ha!
November 2020
by Lil Safonova