Designs Inc.

DesignsInc is a shop featuring stunningly beautiful and intricate jewelry.  The talent behind the creations is Karen-Ann Lobo, a designer based in Goa, India.  I am mesmerized by her intricate pieces which really are breathtaking to behold.  The quality of the materials and the skill present in each and every piece is something a fellow jewelry designer like myself appreciates and respects immensely.

Mystic River - Gemstone cluster earrings

CM: Tell us a bit about yourself...
KAL: My name is Karen-Ann. I've lived almost all my life in the sunny state of Goa - India (way on the other side of the world). I studied art and graphic design & worked for an amazing agency in Dubai for a year but left because there was no time for 'me'. Now I spend my days teaching at a private non-formal school. This leaves my evenings free for family, friends and art.

Jasmine

CM: When and how did you start designing jewelry? Did someone teach you?
KAL: Six years ago when my mum was visiting my sister -who was studying at the time- they both went for a jewelry making course. Mum came back home and taught me; and I haven't stopped yet.

The Elysia Bracelet

CM: As someone who also designs jewelry, there are things I love about it and things that can be trying (my callused and beat-up hands, for one). The loves obviously outweigh the snags for me, but do you experience the same pros and cons?
KAL: When I first started wire wrapping jewelry I'd get poked a lot and wince and grumble and mumble all sorts of nonsense under my breath - but then once I was done working on a piece I had this smile that wouldn't leave my face all day. So yeah..my love for creating undoubtedly outweighs all the pokes, scratches & calluses on the way. Plus I always have a good stock of band-aids and moisturiser LOL.

Lakshmi hoops

CM: What's the best thing about selling on Etsy? The most challenging?
KAL: For someone like me who has a day job, Etsy is a great platform from which I can showcase and sell my work. I get my own site, the fees are pretty reasonable + I can interact with other like minded artists. No where else do you find teams that support, encourage, critique and challenge you.

The most challenging thing about Etsy is getting my store noticed. There are so many amazingly talented artists out there it is quite a challenge to stand out from the crowd.

The Yara earrings 

CM: What's your favorite item from your own shop right now?
KAL: I have 2 favourites.. The Thunderstruck earrings and the Yara earrings. I can't decide which I like better - I enjoyed creating them and they're two of my favourite colours as well. I just love the hammered texture against the smooth.

Thunderstruck

CM: Do you have a favorite shop or item on Etsy? If so, which one(s)? 
KAL: There are so many to choose from... I've picked 4 truly talented artists:

Emily Gray

Seafairiesjewelbox

SkyDreams 

JewelleryHaven 

Thank you so much, Karen-Ann!  Be sure to keep checking back for more great Etsy shops!